Video
Interview by William Richter
April 17, 2013
Summary
Sandy Edge was born on November 8, 1949 in Conway, South Carolina. He served for 28 years in the U.S. Air Force. He also served during both Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. He achieved the rank of Colonel and is recognized today with numerous awards and recognition for his service.
About Sandy Edge
Colonel Sandy Edge Retired from the Air Force on October 31, 2001 after 28 years of service. After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University, he was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. In July 1973, he received his first assignment as officer in charge of Aircraft Security and Law Enforcement as well as Shift Supervisor and Operations Officer within the 559th Strategic Bombardment Wing at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan. In May 1977, he was serving overseas as Chief of Security Police Division with the 406 Combat Support Group at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain. August of 1990, he was then deployed to Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Eventually, he returned to the US in June, 1991 to serve as Chief of the Base Defense and Contingency Division and Headquarters Air Force Security Police Agency at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. From July 1994 to July 1997, he was the Director of Security and Provost Marshal for Headquarters at the United States Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. In August 1997, he returned to Clemson University to recruit, train, motivate, and educate Air Force officer candidates for the Air Force ROTC Commandant. He was the senior military officer on campus with dual responsibilities as Detachment Commander and Department Chair of Aerospace Studies with the full rank of professor.
Medals/Special Service Awards
During his time of service, he was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and Two Oak Leaf Clusters.
He also was presented the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Medal with Two Bronze Stars, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon and Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Government of Kuwait.
