Lieutenant Colonel George Albert Bogert, USAF (Ret.)

Born on September 22nd, 1936, in New York City, George spent his childhood in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he excelled in soccer and basketball and was an active member of youth fellowship. A proud member of “The Vikings,” he formed lifelong bonds with a close-knit, boisterous group of friends—a brotherhood that endured for over seventy years.

In 1954, George entered Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. A natural leader and talented athlete, he lettered in varsity soccer, served as President of Theta Xi fraternity, edited the yearbook, and led the AFROTC detachment as its Commander. In 1958, he graduated with a B.A. in History and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, beginning a distinguished military career devoted to his country.

In January 1959, George married his high school sweetheart, Joan Doris Miller, in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. His first duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas, where he completed his navigator and radar interceptor training in the F-101B. By 1960, George was stationed at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts with the 60th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, flying the F-101B. Three years later, he was selected for pilot training at Craig AFB, Alabama, following which he was chosen to become one of the first to train in the powerful F-105 Thunderchief—a jet that would become central to his career.

In 1965, he was assigned to the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kadena AB in Okinawa, Japan, where he brought his young family—Joan and their three children, then 5, 3, and 1. Between 1965 and 1967, Captain Bogert flew three deployments in Southeast Asia, completing 100 combat missions over North Vietnam in the F-105. His service in Vietnam showcased his courage and steadfast dedication to his fellow airmen and this duty to preserve our nations freedom.

Returning stateside in 1967, George served as an instructor pilot at McConnell AFB, Kansas, where he trained and mentored the next generation of pilots while conducting critical test flights. In 1971, he was assigned to advise the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group of the Virginia Air National Guard. A key figure in transitioning the unit to F-105s, George played a pivotal role in ensuring their combat readiness. He then transitioned into the F-4 Phantom at Homestead AFB in Florida, and later served as Operations Officer and Commander with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base in Korea—a role that brought him immense fulfillment.

After completing his F-4 instructor training at Luke AFB, Arizona, Lt. Col Bogert relocated his family to Southern California, where he was Chief of Training for the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at George AFB. In August 1982 he began his final assignment as the Active Duty Advisor to the 163rd Tactical Fighter Group Air National Guard, March AFB, CA, where he retired from the Air Force on January 31st, 1987. In January of 1988, he was hired by McDonnell Douglas Training Systems, Inc. as Contract Manager for F-4 E/G Academic/Simulator Training at George AFB, CA, where he worked until September 1991.

George balanced the demands of military service with the fierce love and devotion of a father who made every effort to nurture and support his children, instilling in them the values of hard work, loyalty, and perseverance. Alongside Joan, he raised three active children—Jeff, Cindi, and Steve—and never missed a milestone event or sports game, and could be heard cheering loudly from the sidelines, often in his flight suit. Even when George and Joan’s lives went in different directions, George remained a steadfast role model and champion of his children.

In 1984, George's life took a beautiful turn when he married his soulmate, W. Lee Bogert, a court reporter at George AFB. Together, they built a custom home in the Desert Knolls area of Apple Valley, CA, creating a peaceful life filled with love, tranquility, and little dogs. On October 23rd, they celebrated 40 years of marriage.

George's distinguished Air Force career spanned 28 years of service and over 5,900 flight hours—2,400 in the F-105 and 2,200 in the F4—and was marked by numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal. But beyond the medals and career accolades, George’s greatest achievement was his unwavering commitment to his family. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, and the countless lives he touched, both in the Air Force and afterwards, with his character, and generosity.

Lt. Col. Bogert was preceded in death by his father, George Albert Bogert Sr., his beloved mother, Marguerite Anna Bogert, his nephew, Neville Coomber, and many cherished rescue animals he cared for deeply. He is survived by his devoted wife, W. Lee Bogert, his sister Carolyn Coomber (Dave Coomber) and their family, and his three children: Jeffrey Charles Bogert (Tamara Bogert), Cynthia Anne Osborn (Todd Osborn), and Steven George Bogert (Tracey Bogert), and four grandchildren: Steven George Bogert, Jr., Olivia Paige Bogert, Amelia Rose Bogert, and Luke Morrison Osborn.

Interment with Military Funeral Honors for Lt. Col. Bogert will be held at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA on Nov. 15th at 10:15 am.