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1st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd

Lt. Shepherd spent his childhood in Pennsylvania. He attended Penn State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in journalism with a minor in history and military studies while enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated and earned his Air Force commission in 2005.

Once on active duty, Lt. Shepherd completed Combat Systems Officer Training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in 2006. After receiving his navigator wings, he attended initial qualification training at Barksdale AFB, La., and was assigned to fly the B-52H at Barksdale's 20th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Wing in 2007. In addition to his duties as a fully qualified B-52 Navigator, he also was a scheduling officer for the 20th Bomb Squadron.

Lt. Shepherd deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, in June 2008 in support of the Department of Defense's continuous bomber presence in the Pacific area of responsibility. There he served as a flight scheduler for the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.

Lt. Shepherd was a navigator with more than 500 flying hours qualified in T-43 and B-52H aircraft. His awards include the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal and Global War On Terrorism Service Medal.

Age: 25

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LEWISTOWN - A native son of Mifflin County has made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his nation.

1st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd, 25, was among six crew members who died when a B-52 bomber crashed earlier this week just off the Pacific island of Guam, Air Force officials confirmed Wednesday.

The aircraft was reported missing around 9:45 a.m. Monday, officials from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., where Shepherd was stationed, stated in a press release. The bomber was flying a training mission and was scheduled to perform a flyover celebrating Guam's Liberation Day, according to the release.

"This is a sad, sad occasion ... a very sad day. It always is tough whenever you lose anyone, whether it is in peacetime or wartime," said George Rheam, president of the Mifflin County Squadron No. 1 of the Air Force Association, Chapter 220.

Mifflin County Veterans Association President Terry Wade said he shared Rheam's sentiments, and he offered condolences to the Shepherd family on behalf of the association.

Displaying the resolute strength of a military spouse facing adversity, Shepherd's wife, Meredith, contacted The Sentinel on Wednesday evening to share some of the details of her husband's life.

Shepherd was a 2001 graduate of Lewistown Area High School and a 2005 graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, where he majored in journalism. In addition to his wife, Shepherd is survived by two sons, Noah, 5, and Evan, 5 months.

"I've known since Monday that he was on the jet, and then they (the military) confirmed everything last night for us at 1:30 in the morning," Meredith Shepherd said.

"He was a good person. Barksdale and everyone here has rallied around us, and that has meant so much," she continued.

Rheam said it was too soon after the military's confirmation of Shepherd's death to have planned any type of local tribute. However, Shepherd's wife expressed a desire to coordinate service efforts with local veterans' groups.

"He is Air Force, and we take care of our own," Rheam said when asked about a memorial for the fallen airman.

Bill Dippery, director of the Mifflin County Veterans Affairs office, said late Wednesday he was saddened to learn the rumor that a Mifflin County native was aboard the B-52 bomber was true.

"I heard that was a possibility from a source inside the courthouse (Wednesday), so I called the article up on the Internet. At that time, no names had been released," Dippery said.

"I called the governor's hot line and the White House, but I couldn't get confirmation. However, based on what I was told by people here, I thought for sure that he was (one of the crew members)," Dippery said. "His passing, this loss of an airman, is a sad thing and my thoughts and prayers are with the family."

A memorial for the crew members has been created at Barksdale and is scheduled to be open to the public today. Additional information will be available through the military base's Web site, www.barksdale.af.mil, a link to which can be found on The Sentinel's Web site, www.lewistownsentinel.com.