Tinker History: Iszard Memorial Pool

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  • 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Editor’s note: As part of Tinker’s year-long 75th Anniversary celebration, the Tinker Take Off will focus on some notable people whose legacy lives on at Tinker.

Iszard Memorial Pool was named for Chief Master Sgt. Edward J. Iszard, who served as the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Social Actions Equal Opportunity and Treatment Office at Tinker Air Force Base.

Chief Iszard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on June 10, 1955, and for the next 23 years served in a wide variety of logistical roles until his death, at the age of 42, on Sept. 12, 1978. He joined Tinker’s Social Actions office in the fall of 1975 following his graduation from the USAF Senior NCO Academy.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Iszard received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions from Feb. 18-21, 1967. During this period, while under constant threat of enemy attack and under the most adverse working conditions, Sergeant Iszard helped recover an estimated $1 million of vital aircraft parts from a wrecked aircraft in Viet Cong infested territory.

Iszard Pool was dedicated in honor of the Georgetown, S.C., native on Aug. 31, 1979.