Lieutenant Colonel Roger J. Paul was born 2 July 1946 in Chicago, IL. His father was interested in being a pilot and named his son after what pilots said on the radio in WWII –Roger. As a child, Roger was only interested in being a Fighter Pilot.
He was an Eagle Boy Scout, Lettered in Gymnastics, and was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet (CAP). In CAP he competed for a Flight Scholarship –and won. So started his flying career. Private pilot at 18.
He received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan and was commissioned through the Air Force ROTC in 1969. He attended undergraduate pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Texas and earned his wings in October 1970. He received a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University in 1978.
He completed Squadron Officer School in 1978, Air Command and Staff College in 1981 and Air War College in 1984.
His first assignment in Nov. 1970 was to the 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (TFTS), 58th Tactical Fighter Wing TFW), Luke AFB AZ as an F-l00 pilot. In July 1971, he completed training as an 0-2 Forward Air Controller (FAC) in the 547th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field FL. From Aug 1970 through Jan 1971 he was assigned to the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (TASS) as a FAC with the 3d Brigade of the 1st Cavalry at Tan Son Nhut AB, Republic of Vietnam. In Feb 1971, he became a Fighter Duty Officer at III Corps Direct Air Support Center. In Aug 1972, he was reassigned to the 22 TASS at Wheeler AFB, HI as an Air Liaison Officer for the 1st Brigade, 21st Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
Lt. Col. Paul was next assigned to the 465 TFTS, 49 TFW, Holloman AFB NM as a wing pilot and Command Post Controller in Jan 1976. In Oct 1976, he was assigned to the 309 TFTS, 31 TFW, Homestead AFB FL as an F-4 pilot. He returned to the 9 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), 49 TFW, in Mar 1977 and became a Flight Commander. With the closing of the F-4 at Holloman in Jun 1978, he was assigned to Luke AFB for F-4 Central Instructor School with follow-on assignment in Nov 1978 to the 561 TFS and 21 TFTS, 35 TFW, at George AFB, CA. While at George, he was Chief of Squadron Scheduling, Wing Scheduler, and Wing Programmer.
In May 1984 Lt. Col. Paul was assigned to Operational Plans, Headquarters, United States Air Forces Europe (USAFE) as an Exercise Plans Officer. In Dec 1985, he became a Contingency Plans Staff Officer where he planned and aided in execution of ELDORADO CANYON, air operations against Libya. In Jan 1987, he became the Executive Officer to the USAFE Deputy Commander for Operations.
Lt. Col. Paul was next assigned to the 479 Tactical Training Wing (TTW) in Jun 1987. Upon completing instructor upgrade, he became Chief of Wing Inspections. In Sep 88, he became Operations Officer of the 465 Tactical Training Squadron (TTS) in charge of the development of training syllabi and manuals for the USAF Fighter Lead in Program. He became Commander of that unit in Mar 1990, commanding a unit of 30 military and 25 civilian personnel.
Lt. Col. Paul retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Lt. Col. Paul is a command pilot with over 3000 flying hours, including over 60 combat missions in southeast Asia. He has flown T-37, T-38, F-100D/F, 0-2A, AT-38B and F-4C/D/F aircraft.
His military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal Honor Class, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device.
Immediately after retirement he was hired by Continental Airlines. He flew as a Second Officer on the Airbus A-300/B4 and Boeing B-727/100/200. He flew as a First Officer on the Boeing B-737/100/300/500/700/900, B757, B-767 and B-777. He flew passenger service in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central and South America. Based in Guam, he flew freight for DHL in Asia. He served as a Check Airman on the B-727 and retired as a B-737 Captain after 16 years and over 15,000 hours.
He is married to the former Sandra Boodry of Glen Ellyn IL and celebrated 53 years of marriage in 2019.
During the Continental years, he lived in Easton, PA and restored an 1833 Federal House of 8000 square feet. It took 20 years to complete as the house was vacant when bought and had been in foreclosure. The house is a Registered Pennsylvania Historic Property.
Membership in Proud Renaissance in Downtown Easton (PRIDE), Easton Heritage Alliance (EHA), Art Community of Easton (ACE), Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce (TRACC), Local Historic District (LHD) Task Force, Historic District Commission (HDC) implementation Committee Chair, and Main Street Program (MSP) Organizational Committee, State Theater, and the Canal Museum. He served on the Easton Planning Commission and the Committee for the Restoration of the Simon Silk Mill and Bushkill Creek Rehabilitation.
He is also a member of the Super Sabre Society, Daedalians, Air Force Association, Military Officers of America Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, National Rifle Association, Triangle Fraternity and Air Line Pilots Association.