The world lost one of the Greatest Generations’ true warriors today.
Charles Wesley (Wes) Borders was born April 10, 1922 in Kenedy, Karnes County, Texas, to Clifton Ezra Borders and Grace Alice Busby Borders. He grew up in Kenedy, Halletsville and San Antonio, Texas. Wes graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939. He entered pilot training in the US Army air Corps at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas in march of 1942, trained at Victory Field, Vernon Texas, Randolph Field Texas and graduated from Brooks Field, Texas in February of 1943 in the class of 43-B as a rated airplane pilot and 2nd Lt in the US Army Air Corps.
Wes met his future wife, Jacqueline Kuhre in San Antonio, Texas in the summer of 1937 and they were married on June 28, 1945. He retired at Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas on September 1971 with the rank of Colonel, USAF. During his 29 and ½ Years on continuous active duty he served his country in three wars with a total of 539 Combat Missions: 205 combat missions in the Pacific in WWII, 105 combat missions during the Korean War and 229 combat missions during three years in Vietnam. He was qualified to fly 27 different kinds of airplanes and received 49 different awards and decorations during his service in the U.S. Army Air Corps/US Air Force. The most prominent of among them being the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and the Air Medal. He chronicled his military career in his book, The Borders Edge.
Wes was privileged to serve his brother airmen as a Flight Commander, and a Wing Commander. Upon his retirement he and Jacque traveled extensively in their Airstream Trailer – all of Europe, most of Mexico, Alaska, the Northwest Territories, and Canada. In 1976 he moved to Port Aransas where he founded a resort property management corporation, and served as City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem only to retire again in 1986. After spending 10 years at the Air Force Village in San Antonio, Texas, Wes and Jacque again moved to Carson City and have resided at Sierra Place since 2012.
Wes lost his wonderful soulmate, Jacqueline, after 75 years of marriage in 2021. He was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Douglas, and three sisters, Lily Grace, Martha, and Jewel. He is survived by his sons, Charles W. Borders, Jr (Jeri) of Carson City and Michael G Borders (Marsha) of Las Vegas, NV; granddaughter Keri Borders and great-grandson John W. Campbell of Los Angeles, CA, grandson, Lt Col Charles W. Borders, III M.D. (Jennifer) and great grandchildren Ainsley Renee, Paige Alexandra and Charles Wesley IV of Langley, VA, and grandson Syrus M. Borders. He is also survived by his brother John L. Borders (Linda) of Charlotte, NC and three nephews and four nieces.
Internment services will take place at the Northern Nevada Veteran’s Cemetery in April. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either Wreaths Across American, or the Carson City Rotary Foundation.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” Leonardo da Vinci