Source: Author's Collection
The thrift stores around me rarely turn up militaria, at least not when I get there to dig through the bins. So, when I found this picture of U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ameter at the bottom of a bin, I picked it up to see what I could find out about him. Sadly, the photograph is the very same one used on his online obituary.
Born Russell K. Ameter in Bryan, Ohio (53 miles southwest of Toledo) on August 17, 1946, Ameter began his military career at the age of 20 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to become a hospital corpsman (HM) in August 1966. After a successful completion of training (the current HM basic training is 14 weeks), his first posting was with the 1st. Marine Aircraft Wing in 1968 where he was deployed to Vietnam as the unit had been active in the region since 1962. As a corpsman, Ameter went out with U.S. Marine medevac (medical evacuation) helicopters. The 1st. Marine Aircraft Wing made extensive use of helicopters in Vietnam such as the Sikorsky CH-34 and UH-34 Choctaw, CH-46 Sea Knight (known to Marines as the “Phrog”), and finally the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion. Ameter served his 13 months in-country then was transferred to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Lentini which is located in Sicily, Italy. Here, he served out the remainder of his six year enlistment.
Back in the U.S., Ameter completed his undergraduate studies then entered into medical school where he did his residency in family medicine. Typically, this is a three year program focusing on comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and obstetric care for patients of various ages. After successfully completing residency and becoming a doctor, Ameter joined the Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek, Michigan as a flight surgeon. As such, it is likely he was posted with the 110th. Medical Group, 110th. Wing. Ameter would later transfer into the U.S. Air Force Reserve (USAFR) as a flight surgeon and was posted at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan. The only USAFR unit stationed at Selfridge was the 927th. Air Refueling Wing and so it can be reasonably certain he served with this unit until his retirement in August 2006. The photograph was taken sometime in 2006, likely his last in uniform.
The badges, from top to bottom, are: Flight Surgeon Wings (USAF), Navy Aircrew Badge (USMC), Senior Physician Badge (USAF).
His ribbon rack, from top to bottom and left to right (as you look at the image) are: Meritorious Service Medal (USMC), Air Medal with “V” device (USMC; denotes heroism or meritorious action in combat with an armed enemy), Air Force Commendation Medal (USAF), Air Force Achievement Medal (USAF), Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (USAF), National Defense Service Medal with bronze star (USAF/USMC; awarded twice), Vietnam Service Medal (USAF/USMC), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (USAF/USMC), Air Force Longevity Service Award with two oak leaves (USAF; 12 years total service), Air Force Small Arms Ribbon with bronze star (USAF; qualified on pistol and rifle), Air Force Training Ribbon (USAF), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (USAF/USMC).
Lieutenant Colonel Ameter passed away on August 6, 2022.
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