Reception to honor Brigadier General

The ESU Archives will hold a special Nov. 10 reception to honor the career of retired Brigadier General William “Art” Bloomer.

Bloomer earned his B.S. degree in mathematics and physics from Kansas State Teachers College in 1955, where he was a four-year letterman in both football and basketball. Bloomer went on to be a experimental test pilot and Vietnam combat airman.

After earning his M.S. degree in management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., Bloomer served as a base commander, a special assistant to two secretaries of the Navy, chief of staff and then commander of three Marine aircraft wings, and commanding general of Marine air bases in the western area and commanding general of the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, Calif. He retired in 1986.

Bloomer’s personal decorations include The Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” 17 Air Medals and the Republic of China Kuang Hua Medal. Bloomer is also a 1985 ESU Distinguished Alumnus.

This fall, Bloomer donated many of his personal belongings to the ESU Archives, including his Lebanon High School diploma and college degrees, his letterman sweaters and jackets, military personnel records, uniforms and helmets, certificates, correspondence, commissions, photos and personal flags.

The reception will be held at the Anderson Memorial Library at 1220 C. of E. Drive Monday, Nov. 10 at 4 p.m.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>