MAJ Chad Fletcher passed away peacefully on July 21, 2021, at his home in San Antonio, Texas. He was born in El Paso, Texas, on July 8, 1945. In March 2017, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which he determinedly fought for over four years until his death.
Chad attended the University of Texas at Austin where he completed his Bachelors of Business Administration in 1975. He earned a Master of Science in Systems Management degree from the University of Southern California in 1985. Chad spent 50 years serving the United States Army, including 22 years Active Duty and subsequently – as an Army contractor and as a Department of the Army Civilian.
Chad entered the US Army on 4 March1967 and served in Vietnam (1967 – 1968). He was assigned to the 73rd SAC, 1st Aviation Division as a reconnaissance observer in an OV-1 Mohawk. Twice during his combat tour of duty, his Mohawk was shot down and he was forced to eject. He was always grateful to Martin-Baker for their ejection seats!
After returning from Vietnam, his goal was to become an Army aviator flying MEDEVAC/Dustoff helicopters. To achieve that goal, he joined the Army ROTC Program at the University of Texas at Austin where he became the Cadet LTC Army ROTC Battalion Commander during his Senior year. Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the Medical Service Corps(MSC). He received his Medical Rotary Wing Aviator (67J) designation in February 1977 followed by assignments as a MEDEVAC pilot in Korea, Fort Hood, and at Fort Rucker, AL. While at Fort Rucker, injuries he previously sustained in Vietnam aggravated by continued flying, resulted in him being reclassified to Medical Logistics(70K).
As a medical logistician, his assignments included field units and hospitals at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, the 67th Evac Hospital, Würzburg, Germany, and Fort McClellan, AL, where he was the MEDDAC Chief of Logistics. From 1985 to 1991, Chad was involved in the development and fielding of TAMMIS and DMLSS, information technology systems within Army Defense Medical Logistics. These systems brought Army medical logistics into the computer age. Chad was part of the teams that set up the medical supply systems for Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The fielding of these systems took him to almost every part of the globe during his frequent travels.
Upon retirement in 1995, Chad continued to work as a contractor with Army Defense Medical Logistics. He ended his service at Hq, MEDCOM, Fort Sam Houston, TX as a Department of the Army Civilian in 2015. After his “real retirement,” he enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and spending time with his family.
During his active-duty service, Chad was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and many other decorations and awards. As an Army civil servant, he was presented with the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Some of the organizations Chad was involved with include the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the OV-1 Mohawk Association, and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He was also a member of the Texas Exes alumni association. As a member of Chapter 1836 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chad worked to raise the funds for the signs designating I-35 in Texas as a Purple Heart Highway.
Chad is survived by his wife Donna, his daughter Lydia, his son Chad Travis and daughter-in-law Christina, as well as his five grandchildren: Rachel, Katie, Elizabeth, Bella, and Elias. Also surviving him are his brother Jim and Jim’s wife Toni, his sister Betsy and her husband Steve, his brother Doug, and his sister-in-law Trish Butler. Preceding him in death are his parents, older brother Dick, and younger brother Larkin.
In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts should be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation (https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/) or the Fisher House Foundation (https://fisherhouse.org/).
Visitation will be held at Porter Loring North (2102 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78232) on August 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral service will be in the Porter Loring North chapel on August 4 at 11:30 am followed by burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15 pm. Friends and family are welcome to come to any or all of the services.