A Legacy of Courage

Staff Sergeant Desiree Loy was born in 1959 in Hampton, New Hampshire. She enlisted in the New Hampshire Air National Guard in 1978 and served with distinction in several key support roles, including Personal Affairs and Airfield Management.

In 1985, she began training as an inflight refueling boom operator—a demanding specialty requiring precision, technical skill, and composure under pressure.

On August 27, 1985, during a training mission at Beale Air Force Base in California, the KC‑135A Stratotanker she was aboard crashed during a touch-and-go maneuver. The aircraft’s No. 1 engine struck the runway, and the plane was engulfed in flames. All seven crew members were killed. Staff Sergeant Loy was just 26 years old.

She remains the only member of the New Hampshire Air National Guard to lose their life in a flight-related incident.

Enduring Honor

In early 1986, she was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for her exceptional dedication and professionalism.

In 2017, the New Hampshire Air National Guard honored her memory by dedicating the Loy Auditorium at Pease Air National Guard Base. Her name now stands as a symbol of sacrifice and excellence.

Sources

• 157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

• Aircraft Accident Records

• United Press International Archive

• New Hampshire Air National Guard Historical Records