Posthumous honor recognized Sgt. Loy's devotion to duty

  • Published
  • By 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
  • 157 ARW
PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. --  (Editor's note: The following article was published in the March 1986 Granite State Refueler. Sgt. Desiree Loy, a boom operator assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Group at Pease Air Force Base, N.H., was killed during a KC-135 crash in 1985. The article is republished here to remember Loy on the 30th anniversary of her death. An auditorium in Building 264 has been named in her honor.)

Sgt. Desiree Loy was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, posthumously, during ceremonies held at the 157th Air Refueling Group, Pease AFB last month.

Col. Robert C. Lilljedahl, group commander, presented the medal to Mrs. JoAnn Loy of Hampton, Sergeant Loy's mother. Clifford Loy of San Diego, Calif., Sergeant Loy's father, will be presented a duplicate of the award.

Sergeant Loy died in the crash of a KC-135 at Beale AFB, Calif., on Aug. 27, 1985. The Meritorious Service Medal is presented for outstanding noncombat meritorious service in the United States of America. The citation accompanying the award read:

"Sergeant Desiree Loy distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States while assigned to the units of the 157th Air Refueling Group, New Hampshire Air National Guard, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire from 12 December 1978 to 27 August 1985. During this period, the acceptance of responsibility, outstanding performance and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Loy resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of the unit mission."

"The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Loy in the dedication of her service to her country reflect great credit upon herself, the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force."