Master Sgt. Crome’s service while in the Illinois Air National Guard was considered exemplary.

Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome was born on May 14, 1942 in Evanston, Ill. He was a graduate of Amundsen High School and joined the Illinois Air National Guard in 1971.

Capt. Nicosia’s service while a member of the Illinois Air National Guard was considered exemplary.

Capt. Robert J. Nicosia was born in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 12, 1948. He entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. in 1973 and served as a KC-135 pilot, co-pilot, and instructor pilot until 1978 at Rickenbacker AFB, Ohio.

In Memoriam...

Col. Pete Nezamis (right), Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, and Lt. Col. Leslie Summers, a chaplain assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing, render a respectful salute in front of a memorial at Scott AFB, Ill on March 19, 2012. A ceremony was held to commemorate the four Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a Illinois National Guard KC-135A Stratotanker while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

In Memoriam...

Col. Pete Nezamis (left), Commander, 126th Air Refueling Wing, and Lt. Col. Leslie Summers, a chaplain assigned to the 126th Air Refueling Wing, place a wreath in front of a memorial at Scott AFB, Ill., on March 19, 2012. A ceremony was held to commemorate the four 126th Air Refueling Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a Illinois National Guard KC-135A Stratotanker while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

In Memoriam...

The early morning sun lights up a memorial dedicated to the four 126th Air Refueling Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a Illinois National Guard KC-135A "Stratotanker" while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill., on March 19, 1982. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. The 126th Air Refueling Wing, located at Scott AFB, Ill., held a memorial ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the accident. The static display aircraft in the background is a more recent version of the "Stratotanker", the KC-135E. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)

In Memoriam...

The early morning sun lights up a memorial dedicated to the four 126th Air Refueling Wing aircrew members who perished in an aircraft accident 30 years ago. Maj. William S. Dixon, Jr., Capt. Kenneth L. Herrick, Capt. Robert J. Nicosia and Master Sgt. Richard A. Crome were aboard a Illinois National Guard KC-135A "Stratotanker" while on a routine training mission when their plane exploded near Greenwood, Ill., on March 19, 1982. In addition, 23 members of the 928th Tactical Airlift Group, Air Force Reserves, who were passengers also lost their lives. The 126th Air Refueling Wing, located at Scott AFB, Ill., held a memorial ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the accident. (National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ken Stephens)