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361st TRS Airman killed en route to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airman 1st Class Joseph Kitzmiller could barely keep from laughing as he stood in a room Feb. 2, telling a story of a man of small stature who lived life as a giant.

The 23-year-old Airman told of countless times students in the 361st Training Squadron's Aerospace Propulsion course would holler out for "Gypsy Hands." Undoubtedly someone had dropped a nut or bolt in a tiny spot that only Airman 1st Class Michael McDowell could reach.

"Man, he had crazy gypsy hands," Airman Kitzmiller said of the size of his close friend's hands.

Then, the room went silent as he and two others who knew him best -- Airman 1st Class Nicole Perez and Airman Christopher Price -- realized that they would never be able to shake Airman McDowell's "gypsy hands" again. Airman McDowell was killed in a head-on collision Feb. 1 near Kilgore, Texas, while he was en route to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., his first permanent party assignment in the Air Force.

The three young Airmen's emotions went from laughter to sorrow and back to laughter with each story or memory. They described the day as surreal; a dream that would surely change when they wake up in the morning.

Airman McDowell, a native of Thomasville, Ga., loved life and everything that went with it. His three comrades said rarely did they see him without a smile on his face. Even if the squadron had gotten in trouble for something, his anger at the admonishment quickly changed as he was ready to fix what ever problem existed.

Perhaps Airman McDowell will best be remembered for his infectious energy and tremendous work ethics. The Airmen described their friend as someone who liked to sing "Amazing Grace" while working under an aircraft engine, or just singing "Bohemian Rhapsody" at the spur of the moment.

They said he was always the first to start working and the last to leave the work area to take a break.

That sentiment was echoed by his instructor, Stefan Watkins.

"There were a couple occasions where he'd help crewmates," he said. "He'd get finished and help."

Airmen McDowell approached everything he did in the classroom with a positive attitude and an anxiousness to get started, Mr. Watkins said. The young Airman was always looking for the next thing to learn about or the next opportunity to volunteer.

Airmen Perez, Price and Kitzmiller agreed that those who didn't have an opportunity to know Airman McDowell missed out on a truly great Airman -- an Airman who epitomized the Air Force's core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

"He was going to be a real good mechanic," Airman Price said.

His spirit was one of selflessness, always thinking of others before himself. Airman Perez said Airman McDowell was the reason she passed the final block of the course.

Airman McDowell completed the course near the top of the class, finishing with a 96 percent for the 65-training day course.

For the Airmen and permanent party of the 361st TRS, memories of Airman McDowell will be embraced and recalled, including his deep Southern accent that he and Airman Perez would talk about from time to time.

"Yeah, but the ladies love it," she recalled him saying.

But the biggest tribute Airmen could pay to a fallen comrade and hero is to live life the way he lived it. Take honor in your work, just as he did. And smile ... just as he did.

"There's no sense in getting down about it," Airman Kitzmiller said. "He wouldn't have wanted that."