Air Force honors CMSAF #5 Robert D. Gaylor during celebration of life services

Published Feb. 10, 2024
By Jarrod M. Vickers
502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --

The U.S. Air Force celebrated the life and lasting contributions of fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Feb. 10.

Joint Base San Antonio hosts the memorial service for fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, at JBSA-Lackland and Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 10, 2024. Gaylor left his home in Indiana to enlist in the Air Force and then called the San Antonio area his post-military home for more than four decades. He is survived by his son, Ken, and daughters Carol and Elaine. Gaylor spent more than seven decades improving the Air Force through its people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Thomas Coney) — Joint Base San Antonio hosted the memorial service for fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 10, 2024. Gaylor left his home in Indiana to enlist in the Air Force and then called the San Antonio area his post-military home for more than four decades. He is survived by his son, Ken, and daughters Carol and Elaine. Gaylor spent more than seven decades improving the Air Force through its people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Thomas Coney)

The morning featured a memorial service held at JBSA-Lackland’s Gateway Chapel and included guest speakers: 19th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, 12th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric Benken, and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Gaylor, CMSAF Gaylor’s son. Retired Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Bob Page officiated both ceremonies.

“Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gaylor served our Airmen and our Air Force for over 75 years,” Bass said. “He wore this uniform for 31 and continued for another 44, no doubt still feeling like a kid at Christmas. Our Air Force is better because of CMSAF Bob Gaylor. He is a national treasure; he is a legend; he is an American Airman, and his legacy will live on in all of us.”

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard firing party members perform a salute during the interment of fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor left his home in Indiana to enlist in the Air Force and then called San Antonio his post-military home for more than four decades. He is survived by his son, Kenny, and daughters Carol and Elaine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English). — The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard firing party members perform a salute during the interment of fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor left his home in Indiana to enlist in the Air Force and then called San Antonio his post-military home for more than four decades. He is survived by his son, Kenny, and daughters Carol and Elaine. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English)

Soldiers with the Fort Sam Houston Caisson Section carry the flag-draped casket of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor during his interment with full military honors ceremony, Feb. 10, 2024 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor spent more than seven decades improving the Air Force through its people. He was an active proponent of professional military education and delivered seminars frequently in-person and online until his passing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English). — Soldiers with the Fort Sam Houston Caisson Section carry the flag-draped casket of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor during his interment with full military honors ceremony, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor spent more than seven decades improving the Air Force through its people. He was an active proponent of professional military education and delivered seminars frequently in-person and online until his passing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English)

A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member watches over the casket during the interment with full military honors of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor championed Air Force professional military education in the late '60s and '70s before he was promoted to Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force in 1977. He continued to educate and inspire service members for more than 40 years after his retirement from military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English). — A U.S. Air Force Honor Guard member watches over the casket during the interment with full military honors of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor championed Air Force professional military education in the late 1960s and 1970s before he was promoted to chief master sergeant of the Air Force in 1977. He continued to educate and inspire service members for more than 40 years after his retirement from military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English)

Following the memorial service, the family escorted Gaylor to his final resting place at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard rendered full military honors, while the U.S. Air Force Band of the West ceremonial ensemble played “Taps” and “The Air Force Hymn.” The ceremony concluded with a three-ship T-38 Talon flyover in the missing-man formation and a presentation of the American flag to Gaylor’s family.

Gaylor leaves a legacy of military professional development through his contributions to the growth of the early noncommissioned officer academy. His direct efforts, both during and after his active duty service, aimed to improve the Air Force through further-developing its people.

Bass pointed out Gaylor’s strong reputation for professional military education development.

“The incredible character of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gaylor would make him the perfect fit to teach and develop a generation of Airmen,” Bass said.

Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard fold the U.S. flag during the interment with full military honors of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor championed Air Force professional military education in the 1960s and 1970s before he was promoted to Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force in 1977. He continued to educate and inspire service members for more than 40 years after his retirement from military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English). — Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard fold the U.S. flag during the interment with full military honors of the fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor, Feb. 10, 2024, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas. Gaylor championed Air Force professional military education in the 1960s and 1970s before he was promoted to chief master sergeant of the Air Force in 1977. He continued to educate and inspire service members for more than 40 years after his retirement from military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tristin English)

After his retirement in 1979, Gaylor worked full-time and continued to offer speaking engagements for service members around the world.

“Hot fries, name on the mailbox, attitude, aptitude and opportunity,” Bass said. “Name another Airman you can identify with a single phrase or a collection of words that has left a lasting impact on the Air Force and our Airmen, both past and present. There is only one: Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Bob Gaylor, our beloved number five.”