Brooklyn, N.Y. native George Boemerman, who retired in 1976 after a 24-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, is unique among his fellow Marines.
He is the only person in the U.S. Marine Corps who has been a drill instructor, a paratrooper, a combat helicopter pilot and a combat A-6 pilot. He estimates that he has made more than 150 carrier landings.
Boemerman, nominated for grand marshal honors for the second year in a row, is among 10 nominees who will serve as an Honor Guard.
When Boemerman joined the Marine Corps in 1952, he headed for basic training at Parris Island, S.C. He had attended college at North Carolina State before joining the military and he spent a tour of duty as a drill instructor at Parris Island.
Boemerman received a commission as a second lieutenant in 1955 after completing flight training at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam - one flying helicopters in 1964 and another in 1968 flying A-6 Intruders.
His meritorious service in the U.S. Marine Corps was well rewarded. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, the Vietnamese Cross and 35 Air Medals.
Boemerman and his wife Shirley moved to San Marcos 27 years ago partially because of Shirley's family connections and partially for George to attend graduate school at what is now Texas State University-San Marcos. A San Marcos street – Dutton Drive – is named after Shirley's mother, Nina Dutton. A number of her relatives graduated from Southwest Texas State.
At Texas State, Boemerman majored in speech communication and received his master of arts degree in 1983. While in the graduate program, he worked as a teaching assistant. After graduating, he was a lecturer in what is now the Communication Studies Department for a number of years.
Perhaps it was a natural that George would join the Friends of Fine Arts and Communication at Texas State, an organization in which he is still active. Over the years, he has been active in the San Marcos Heritage Association and the San Marcos Breakfast Lions Club. With the Lions Club, he ran the river taxi for 11 years.
Today he is active in an organization called the Central Texas Trail Tamers that builds and rehabilitates walking trails across Texas and New Mexico.
Local News
Boemermann holds Marine Corps records
- Local News
-
-
Massive crane lifts old theater from Spring Lake
Every job requires the proper tool. So it was on Thursday when the old Submarine Theater was finally lifted out of Spring Lake.
-
Teachers of the Year
-
Saturday Memorial Day ceremony to pay tribute
The public is invited to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the San Marcos City Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 26, sponsored by San Marcos American Legion Post 144.
-
Ruiz makes presentation about tax risks for boomers
Ruben Ruiz, local author and CEO of the Ruiz Financial Group, LLC and Money Concepts, recently presented at the National Group Conference, at the Fairmont Orchard Hotel on the big island of Kona, Hawaii.
-
HOT coming to Wimberley
The Heart of Texas (HOT) Chorus is coming to Wimberley for a free performance – and the public is invited.
-
2012 seniors to sweep San Marcos
The San Marcos High School seniors of the Class of 2012 will be out in force Saturday, cleaning up downtown, hoping that passers-by and local residents will donate $1 each to Project Graduation, the annual drug and alcohol free celebration for the senior class to celebrate their high school graduation.
-
Texas leading state for small business
In recognition of National Small Business Week, Texas Workforce Commissioner Tom Pauken shares some good news about our state’s positive climate for small businesses.
-
City plans park dedication in the name of San Marcos soldier killed in Afghanistan
The family of Capt. Paul Peña, the city of San Marcos, San Marcos Academy and representatives of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point will dedicate a park in honor of the fallen soldier at a special Memorial Weekend ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday.
-
Cemetario del Rio
- Burn ban off – for now
- More Local News Headlines
-


