Late general’s memorabilia serves as reminder to Airmen Published March 28, 2011 By Senior Airman Michael Charles Nellis Public Affairs CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- In 1944, Wilbur "Bill" Creech enlisted in the Army Air Corps with hopes of becoming a pilot. He received his commission in September 1949 and, 36 years later, retired after achieving the rank of four-star general in the United States Air Force. "General Creech was legendary in our Air Force for the things he accomplished while he served, and his legacy lives on today," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command. "It lives on in the lives of the Airmen around the world who are making a difference every day." Out of a desire to tell General Creech's story of service to today's Airmen, his wife, Carol, donated some of the late general's personal items to the 432d Wing here. "It was not Bill's desire to be promoted, but to make life better for others, and in doing that, he was rewarded," Mrs. Creech said. "It was Bill's belief that if you make it better, make it happen and make it last, then you are doing the right thing." The lobby of the new 432d Wing headquarters building now displays the medals General Creech wore during his career, personal pictures and the order-of-the-sword nomination he received by the enlisted members who served under him when he was the commander of Tactical Air Command. "He never forgot what it was like to be at the bottom of the ladder with a dream," Mrs. Creech said. "He enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps because he couldn't afford to learn to fly. This is the reason the Thunderbirds were so important to him. He hoped that kids who saw the Thunderbirds would also have the dream to fly." Following a ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new 432d Wing building March 11, the memorabilia was made available for public viewing for the first time. Retired Maj. Gen. Daniel Dick, who served as General Creech's aide, and retired Gen. John Jumper, the 17th Chief of Staff of the Air Force, who served as General Creech's executive officer, were among those attending the ceremony. "General Creech was always about making things better, and he was always on the leading edge of whatever was going on in the Air Force," General Jumper said. "Hopefully some of the items Carol was nice enough to donate to the 432d Wing will show future generations of Airmen how involved he was in molding the Air Force we appreciate today." The items displayed in the lobby of the 432d wing will serve as a reminder to Airmen that they can have a dream and make an impact on others' lives, just like General Creech.
