Beaufort’s Bill Bootle, 85, joined the United States Army in Beaufort in 1953. After basic training at Fort Jackson and training in tanks, he was assigned to duty in Hawaii. His next assignment was back at Fort Jackson, followed by duty at Fort Benning, from which he was sent to Camp Hovey, South Korea near the DMZ.
Returning to the States to Fort Riley, Kan., he soon began training as a helicopter pilot at Fort Walters, Texas, and Fort Rucker, Ala., where he earned his wings and was promoted to Warrant Officer. Assigned to Fort Hood, Texas in an Air Calvary unit. He was sent to Camp Eagle, Hue, Vietnam to fly AH-1G Cobra helos in combat support in 1968-69. He next taught at the helo school at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah before transferring to Forts Stewart and Rucker for fixed-wing, multi-engine certification.
By 1971, Bootle was back in Vietnam flying Cobra helos in combat again. After that tour, he returned to Fort Rucker to instruct in Cobras again before being sent to Iran to train Iranian pilots to fly Cobras in their forces. In 1983 he retired as a Warrant Officer – 4 with 30 years of service. After using the GI Bill for two years, he returned to Beaufort to start his own business. He has also served on the Beaufort County Zoning Appeals Board, the Building Appeals Board and the TCL Commission, as well as being the President of the Lowcountry Rotary Club.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
