J. Bruce Huffman

Biography

J. Bruce Huffman – joined the U.S. Army while attending Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA in 1967 for the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program (WORWAC). He received a direct commission as a 2nd Lieutenant during his Viet Nam tour.

While serving as both a lift pilot and an aero scout team leader with Charlie Troop 1/9th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Div. (AM), he was awarded the DFC, BS, AM w/V (3 OLC), 22 AM, ARCOM w/V (1 OLC), & the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He would leave active duty in the 1970’s but continued to serve during 25 years of continuous aviation service in the National Guard and Army Reserve and would retire in 1998, after 31 years in uniform, with the rank of Colonel.

In his civilian career he lived in Iran with his young family, while instructing in AH-1J Cobras, for Bell Helicopter, would retire from the IBM Corporate Flight Department, serve as the early Managing Director of NetJets Europe, in Lisbon, would lead several corporate flight departments, and is the founder and President of Flight Assurance LLC.

His undergraduate degree is from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, in Professional Aeronautics and holds a Masters, in Instructional & Performance Technology, from Boise State University. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, a number of military and veteran’s organizations and currently serves as the Chairman of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.

He and his wife Beverly moved their residence and business to Tucson in 2015 and love their new home in Arizona.

HUFFMAN, JOHN B., WO1, United States Army, Troop C, 1st Squadron (Airmobile), 9th Cavalry, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Huffman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 27 October 1968, while serving as a pilot of a OH-6A helicopter during a combat mission near Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam.

When his helicopter came under intense enemy ground fire, Warrant Officer Huffman exposed himself to the hostile fire as he flew at low altitudes to mark the enemy positions with smoke grenades for air strikes. Upon learning that an embattled unit was in need of supplies and ammunition, Warrant Officer Huffman without hesitation volunteered for the hazardous mission. With complete disregard for his own safety, Warrant Officer Huffman lowered his helicopter over the landing zone while vital supplies were delivered.

His actions contributed greatly towards the successful completion of his unit’s mission. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.