Washington native inducted into Air National Guard Hall of Fame
Flanking retired Brig. Gen. William J. Boardley, center, during his induction into the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame, are, from left, Command Chief Victor H. Guerra, Brig. Gen. Anthony J. Carrelli, Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gundrum.
Retired Brig. Gen. William J. Boardley
Retired Brig. Gen. William J. Boardley of Hopewell Township was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Hall of Fame in recognition of his impressive 34-year military career.
Boardley, a native of Washington, served six years in the U.S. Air Force and 28 years with the 171st Air Refueling Wing of the PaANG in Coraopolis. He retired from the 171st in 2006.
Induction into the PANG Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor conferred upon individuals for their contributions to the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs or the Pennsylvania National Guard. There are just 56 members in the group, which was established in 1988.
Boardley’s career with the 171st began in 1978 when he left active duty with qualifications as a KC-135 instructor navigator. At the time, the 171st had just converted to the KC-135, and Boardley’s experience and skills were an asset to the wing.
Boardley worked his way up from an operations and plans officer to chief navigator, squadron operations officer and eventually wing commander in 1995.
During his tenure with the 171st, Boardley participated in numerous deployments and operations, including the Gulf War, Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom. His personal achievements include receiving the Bronze Star.
It was under Boardley’s guidance and leadership during his 11 years as wing commander that the 171st Air Refueling Wing was recognized as being one of the elite units in the Air National Guard and U.S. Air Force. The wing twice received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Maj. Gen. Malcolm Armstrong Trophy for being the most outstanding ANG unit in 21st AF, the Brig. Gen. William Spruance Flight Safety Award and the Distinguished Flying Unit Plaque.
It also received the Governor’s Unit Citation Award, USAF Flight Safety Plaque, the National Guard Association’s Curtis N. “Rusty” Metcalf Trophy and the Maj. Gen. John Pesch Flight Safety Trophy.