Harry James Colonel Booth

Colonel Harry James Booth of San Antonio, Texas died May 25, 2004 at MD Anderson Hospital, Houston, TX with his immediate family in attendance. His death culminates a dedicated military career of 31 years - January 16, 1943 to April 1, 1974.

Harry Booth was born in Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia on June 17, 1924, to Lillian M. Davisson and Alonzo H. Booth. He lived during the depression as the youngest of six children, and worked through high school as a golf caddy and as a guide in the Carter County Caves. Harry Booth attended Prichard High School in Grayson, Kentucky and was a proud member of the 1941 Eastern Kentucky Championship Basketball Team. He developed a love of football as well, and continued to play active sports throughout his early military career in Europe. A love of the outdoors, strong personal values, and a fierce independence, were strengthened in the backwoods areas and along the banks of streams that he frequented growing up much on his own, in a small Kentucky town, as World War II became a reality.

Harry Booth remarked that "On graduation from high school in 1942, there was no question about what I was to do with my life." He received his draft notice with request to report for physical at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 17, 1942. After induction into the U.S. Army, he received training in both Wyoming and Washington states.

Private H. J. Booth was sent to the European Theater of the war effort Italy, 1943 - 1945 to provide support for combat troops and bomber squadrons stationed near Naples and Rome. He visited the beaches at Sorento and the remains at Mt. Vesuvius frequently talked of concern for the poverty stricken Italian people.

After returning to the United States, S/Sgt Booth was discharged from the regular Army and reenlisted in the Enlisted Reserve Corp. at the age of 21 at Patterson Field, Ohio. He became Regular Air Force in April 1946. From 1947-1949 Staff Sgt. Booth was with the 86th Fighter Wing Group at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany. This was the first of many tours to Germany, a country he thoroughly enjoyed for its spirited people and its old world charm.

In 1950 and recently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant USAF Reserve, Harry Booth moved to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland with the 2800 Ordinance Test Group. Thereafter, Lt. Booth's career focus shifted to intelligence information gathering,

interrogation of foreign nationals, electronic surveillance, and national security issues.

In 1953-1954, assignment took him to Kassel Germany with the 7059th Air Intelligence Squadron. October, 1955 found 1st Lt. Booth in Inactive Reserve Status at Mitchell Field AFB, Long Island, NY with the Continental Air Command where he met and Married Sarah Cheney of Essex Junction, VT in 1956.

He entered German Language School at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. prior to

assignment in Frankfurt, Germany 1957-1959 as Squadron Director of an outpost Bad Sodeninvolved with interrogation of foreign nationals. A daughter was born at the Frankfurt Rhein Main Army Hospital in 1958.

In the 1960's Capt. H. J. Booth returned to the United States 1960-1964 as Director of Plans and Research Development with US Headquarters Security Service at the Pentagon. A second daughter and a son were born during this time period. The family then left Washington, D.C. for assignment in Okinawa 1965 and was promoted to Major USAF while with 6922 Security Service Wing at Kadena Air Force Base as Unit Commander and Security Director of USAF South East Asian Electronic Operations.

A third daughter was born while in Okinawa and Major Booth accepted assignment at Hakata Annex, Japan as Squadron Commander of the 6918th Security Service Squadron. He enjoyed boating with his houseboat on the South China Sea June 1965-1767. He returned to San Antonio, TX at Kelly AFB with the Headquarters USAF Security Service.

Then Lt. Colonel Booth elected a remote assignment to Samsun, Turkey located on the Black Sea as Base Commander and Director of Electronic Surveillance 1969-1972. His responsibility was to prepare and turn the base facility over to the Turkish government.

Upon returning to the United States, Col. Booth was promoted to the rank of Colonel and served as Chief of Technical Training, USAF School of Cryptologic Studies at Goodfellow, AFB, San Angelo, TX 1972-1974.

Immediately prior to retirement, Colonel Booth directed USAF Security Service Headquarters worldwide electronic operations - emergency and contingency operations as well resource development for the same program at "Security Hill" in San Antonio, TX. He retired from active duty on April 1, 1974 and was thereafter able to spend many happy days on golf courses in Texas and the southwestern United States.

Colonel Booth's many military citations and commendations include: European, African, Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon,

American Theater Ribbon,

Good Conduct Medal,

World War II Victory Medal,

Air Force Commendation Medal and Second Oak Leaf Cluster-Service 1969-1971

Legion of Merit: Asst. Deputy Chief of Staff USAF Security Service Headquarters

Pentagon, Washington, DC 1972-1974.

Upon retirement, Colonel Booth continued his education, enjoyed travel and spirited debate related to his diverse international, national, and political interests. All undertakings were punctuated with cryptic but witty humor. He moved to the Texas Hill Country at Medina Lake, cleared the land, and built a ranch; however, he found the most challenge and enjoyment in four children and three grandchildren. To them he wrote when asked about his military career, "Serving my country was an honor. I choke up when I hear the Star Spangle Banner played. It brings back many memories. I salute the flag with pride, the same pride I have in the USA."

Colonel Booth is survived by: his wife of 48 years, Sarah L. Booth; four children: Lydia L. Booth Fenley of Argyle, TX, Tina L. Booth Smith of San Antonio, TX, Marcus W. Booth of San Antonio, TX and Martha M. Booth Lopez of Dunlay, TX; three grandchildren: Nicole R. Smith of San Antonio, TX, Elizabeth L. Fenley of Argyle, TX and Kevin W. Fenley of Argyle, TX.

The family will celebrate the life of Colonel Booth with a private event to be held on or near

his birthday June 17, 2004 when he would have reached the age of 80 years.