Staff Sergeant Rande Jay Hulec, A Soldier's Story
Staff Sergeant Rande Jay Hulec, A Soldier's Story
Staff Sergeant Rande Jay Hulec was born on July 20, 1961, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School, where he distinguished himself as an athlete, playing football and demonstrating the physical discipline that would later define his military career. During his years of service, he continued to challenge himself athletically, competing as a triathlete.
Hulec enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 11, 1981. He was assigned to the 31st Weather Squadron and stationed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. In that role, he supported mission planning and flight operations, contributing to the readiness and safety of aircrews operating across Europe and beyond.
In August 1990, as U.S. forces mobilized in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, Staff Sergeant Hulec prepared to deploy to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. On August 29, 1990, he was killed when a C-5A Galaxy cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Ramstein Air Base. The tragedy claimed the lives of many servicemembers en route to the Middle East, underscoring the risks inherent even before reaching a combat zone.
Staff Sergeant Rande Jay Hulec is buried at Alger Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. He is remembered as an airman whose service spanned a decade, and whose life was lost while answering the call during the opening days of the Gulf War.
_____________________________________________________________________________
About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
✨ #TakeTheBackRoads
Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!
