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Living history

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  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. --  Bill Steffens, an Air Force veteran who served from 1943-1953, was honored in a ceremony Oct. 17 in Traverse City, Mich.

Steffens designed the pararescue patch in 1952 for a contest when he was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, as a staff sergeant. Steffens was watching a pararescue special on the National Geographic Channel when he realized the same design is in use today.

Staff Sgt. Beau Vore, an enlisted accessions recruiter with the 339th Recruiting Squadron, organized the ceremony when he heard about Steffens' achievement.
Representatives from the Michigan governor's office were on hand, and an Airman in the Recruiter Assistance Program sang the National Anthem. Steffens' eight children flew in from around the country to surprise their father.

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