Gene Boyer
Encyclopedia
Retired United States Army
Lieutenant Colonel
Gene T. Boyer (born July 24, 1929) was the chief pilot of Army One
, the helicopter transporting the President of the United States
, between 1964 and 1975. Boyer was the pilot during President Richard Nixon
's last day in office on August 9, 1974, when Nixon famously delivered the V sign
just prior to leaving office. He led the restoration of the VH-3A "Sea King
" helicopter, tail number 150617, that served as Army One that day. That helicopter is now on permanent display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Boyer also served Presidents Johnson and Ford as a White House
pilot.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Gene T. Boyer (born July 24, 1929) was the chief pilot of Army One
Army One
Army One is the callsign of any United States Army aircraft carrying the President of the United States. From 1957 until 1976, this was usually an Army helicopter transporting the President. Prior to 1976, responsibility for helicopter transportation of the President was divided between the Army...
, the helicopter transporting the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, between 1964 and 1975. Boyer was the pilot during President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's last day in office on August 9, 1974, when Nixon famously delivered the V sign
V sign
The V sign is a hand gesture in which the index and middle fingers are raised and parted, while the other fingers are clenched. It has various meanings, depending on the cultural context and how it is presented...
just prior to leaving office. He led the restoration of the VH-3A "Sea King
Sea King helicopter
Sea King helicopter may refer to:* SH-3 Sea King* CH-124 Sea King* Westland Sea King...
" helicopter, tail number 150617, that served as Army One that day. That helicopter is now on permanent display at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Boyer also served Presidents Johnson and Ford as a White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
pilot.