Editor’s note: This tribute is one in a series of reader-submitted tributes to World War II-era veterans that will be posted during April.

Chief Master Sgt. Robert M. Messner, USAF

HOMETOWN: Port Orchard.

BRANCH: U.S. Air Force.

YEARS OF SERVICE: 23 years.

HIGHEST RANK ATTAINED: Chief master sergeant.

SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS OR DEPLOYMENTS DURING THE WAR: Biggs AFB, El Paso, Texas; Turner AFB, Albany, Georgia; Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Charleston AFB, South Carolina; several bases in England; and Udorn Air Base, Thailand.