Richard D . Kisling Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Richard D . Kisling ( October 11 , 1923 – November 3 , 1985 ) was the third Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest non - commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force . Biography . Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Richard D . Kisling was adviser to Secretary of the Air Force Robert C . Seamans Jr . and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen . John D . Ryan on matters concerning welfare , effective utilization and progress of the enlisted members of the Air Force . He was the third chief master sergeant appointed to this top noncommissioned officer position . Chief Kisling was born in Mapleton , Iowa , and graduated from Castana High School , Castana , Iowa in May 1941 . He entered the U . S . Army in July 1944 and served overseas in the European area with the 3rd Infantry Division and 88th Infantry Division . In April 1947 , he re - enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the Mobile Training Unit , Chanute Field , Illinois . When the Air Force became a separate military service in 1947 , he transferred to the Air Force and was in the personnel field during most of his subsequent career . In May 1948 , he transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base , California , where he served as a personnel clerk , enlisted branch , Headquarters 4th Air Force . He was assigned to the 1261st Air Transport Squadron , Tripoli , Libya , in April 1950 and served as first sergeant . He returned to the United States in April 1952 and was assigned as first sergeant of the 1707th Food Service Squadron , Palm Beach International Airport , West Palm Beach , Florida . In October 1952 he transferred to Amarillo , Texas , as first sergeant and personnel sergeant major with the 1739th Ferrying Squadron . In February 1954 , Chief Kisling was assigned to the Southwest Recruiting District , Fort Sam Houston , Texas . He became sergeant major of the 3504th U . S . Air Force Recruiting Group , Lackland Air Force Base , Texas in May 1954 . In 1956 he was selected as the Outstanding Support Airman of the Year for Air Force Recruiting Service . Chief Kisling was sent to Chaumont , France , in August 1956 as base personnel sergeant major , 48th Tactical Fighter Wing . In August 1959 he became base personnel sergeant major at Nellis Air Force Base , Nev . , and he was promoted to chief master sergeant December 1 , 1959 . He was selected as the Outstanding Airman of the Year for 12th Air Force in 1960 . He transferred to March Air Force Base , Calif . , in August 1961 for duty as Tactical Air Command personnel adviser to the 452nd Troop Carrier Wing of the Air Force Reserve . He was assigned as base personnel sergeant major at George Air Force Base , Calif . , in September 1962 . In August 1963 Chief Kisling joined the U . S . Air Force Security Service as personnel sergeant major , European Security Region , Frankfurt , West Germany . In May 1967 he became noncommissioned officer in charge , programs and requirements division , deputy chief of staff , personnel , Headquarters U . S . Air Force Security Service , Kelly Air Force Base , Texas . He was selected as the senior airman adviser , U . S . Air Force Security Service in September 1969 . He became chief master sergeant of the Air Force on October 1 , 1971 and he retired September 30 , 1973 . Upon his retirement , Chief Kisling continued serving the U . S . Air Force as a civil servant , assigned to the Air Staff . He served on the staff of the deputy chief of staff , personnel , from April 1975 through October 1982 , and with the staff of the deputy chief of staff , administration , from November 1982 until his retirement from civil service on May 20 , 1985 . He was awarded the Exceptional Civilian Service Award in May 1985 . Chief Kisling died November 3 , 1985 at Malcolm Grow Medical Center , Andrews Air Force Base , Md . , as a result of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . His contributions and dedicated service to the Air Force and country spanned more than 40 years — as a leader , a spokesperson and a great friend of the enlisted corps . Legacy . The Kisling Noncommisioned Officers Academy located in Vogelweh , Germany is named after him .