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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May 2001
BRYCE POE II * '46
No. 15656 * 10 Oct 1924 - 20 Nov 2000
Died at Alexandria, VA * Interred in Arlington National Cemetery,
Arlington, VA |
BRYCE POE II was born in Wichita, KS but early
in life moved to St Louis, MO with his parents. He graduated
from Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO. He then attended
CO School of Mines before transferring to KS University. While
there, he received his appointment to West Point.
Cadet life presented no problems to Bryce. He won the Trophy
as the top academy swordsman in 1946. In April of 1945, Bryce
opted for Air Cadet Training, and graduated with pilot wings
as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps.
Bryce began a distinguished career in the Air Force that was
to last 35 years. He served in Tactical Air Command, Air Training
Command, Strategic Air Command, Air Research and Development
Command, Far East Air Forces, US Air Forces in Europe, Air Force
Logistics Command, Office of the Secretary of the Air force and
NATO. He flew most fighter and reconnaissance aircraft from P-51
to F-15 plus foreign fighters and administrative aircraft.
Bryce flew combat missions in both the Korean War and Vietnam.
Just prior to the Korean War, while in Japan, he flew 19 special
long-range jet reconnaissance missions to classified targets
for which he received his first Distinguished Flying Cross. When
the Korean War broke out, Bryce flew the first ever USAF jet
reconnaissance mission. He flew 90 RF-80A combat missions in
Korea. In September of 1950, Bryce's West Point roommate, Marshall
(Rojo) Williams, a fellow pilot in the 8th Tac Recon Sqd failed
to return from a combat mission into enemy territory. Bryce prepared
the memorial article for Assembly for his treasured friend. He
flew 213 combat missions in Vietnam including 200 in the RF-4C
Phantom.
Bryce was a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the
National War College. While on active duty he earned a Masters
in History from the University of Nebraska and a Masters in International
Affairs from George Washington University.
As a senior Air Force Commander, he served in several AF command
positions culminating his career when he received his fourth
star as Commander, AF Logistics Command, Wright Patterson AFB,
OH from 1978 until his retirement in 1981.
In retirement, he simultaneously did both contract work for various
corporations (none having anything to do with USAF due to his
last assignment) and unpaid work for the government. His real
labor of love was his work as President of the Air Force Historical
Foundation.
On 20 November 2000, Bryce died following a stroke. Survivors
include his wife, Kari; son, Bryce III and his son Bryce IV;
daughter Susan Dickson, husband Scott, and their daughter, Miranda;
daughter, Karen Watts, husband Paul, and their daughter Kari
and son Braden.
How and where do you start to write about a man,
classmate, friend who had such a brilliant career and accomplished
so much? Perhaps the remembrances of those who knew and loved
him plus his own evaluation of his life can best provide an insight
into Bryce Poe.
AF classmate, Kent Berge wrote to Kari: " We are among the
host of friends who will be celebrating Bryce's life and Eternal,
Ultimate Adventure. He lived a life of sound preparation, splendid
service to our nation and he had lots of fun and spread joy along
the way. He had lots of help from you."
Daughter, Karen, remembered: "Dad told us he would go to
the flight line in the middle of the night, without letting folks
know who he was, to see how he was treated. He wanted to make
sure everyone was treated fairly. That is something I will always
remember about him. He never pulled his rank, and made sure that
he always stayed grounded by knowing what was going on at the
lowest level. He was truly one in a million."
Daughter, Susan, delivered a eulogy at the service. Excerpts
say much about Bryce: "Someone said, 'Your father wasn't
just a good man; he was a great man.' And I truly believe he
was.
"First and foremost in his heart was Kari. They were a team
helping and supporting each other in all aspects of their lives.
"He was a man who would risk everything for what he believed
was right and for those he loved.
"Dad, you are in a better place now - flying those missions
with Rojo, shaking your dad's hand and giving your mom a big
hug. Your life and legacy will live on through those who love
you,"
Sometime ago, Bryce was asked to provide the character traits
that best described his life and then, how he wanted to be remembered.
His response is indicative of his greatness: "Concern and
respect for those I worked, flew and fought alongside and a sense
of mission. Never transferred a problem to another commander
and tried to set an example.
"I never played political games nor backed away from a confrontation
for fear of hurting my career. I never wanted to do anything
else and after retirement kept busy but missed active duty every
day.
" I never envied anybody, and I think I gave it my best
shot. I'm, afraid as I sit in retirement someone will say, 'gentlemen,
join your regiments and I'm going to miss it. I can't figure
out any way not to go."
The country, the Air Force and the Class of 1946 have lost a
great man. His classmates join together to utter the words that
Bryce would most like to hear: "Well Done, Bryce; Be Thou
At Peace!"
'46 MEMORIAL ARTICLE PROJECT AND HIS FAMILY
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