This page is in Honor and Memory of Col. Michael “Bam Bam” P. Stapleton
Obituary
(Obituary from Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.,Woodbridge, VA)
Stapleton was known by his family and friends as a dedicated husband, father, Air Force fighter pilot and leader, with an infectious smile and positive outlook on life. He served God and country unselfishly and generously and always looked for ways to help others.
Born May 25, 1966, in Morristown, N.J., Stapleton always knew he wanted to be a fighter pilot. He achieved his goal of attending the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he graduated in 1988 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He went on to pilot training and was selected to fly the F-15C Eagle.
His expertise in the F-15C Eagle was recognized early on, when he was chosen to be a member of the William Tell fighter competition team from Kadena AB, Japan during his first assignment. From Okinawa, Mike was assigned as instructor pilot for the F-15 at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida. He went on to attend the USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, NV and won the flying award. Bam Bam’s follow on was to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska where he served as Weapons officer and Chief of Wing Weapons. His last assignment in the F-15C was as instructor pilot in the Weapons school. During his career in the mighty Eagle, Stapleton logged more than 2,500 hours in the F-15 and F-22 jets, leading combat sorties in support of no-fly zones over Iraq and planning contingency operations before operation Desert Fox in 1998.
Following his assignment as instructor pilot at weapons school, Stapleton transferred to the Pentagon in 2001, where he worked during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, while serving as Aide de Camp to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force. Stapleton then qualified in the Air Force’s new air superiority jet, the F-22 Raptor. He helped start the F-22 Raptor training squadron as the director of operations, squadron commander, and ultimately as the deputy operations group commander at the Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, where he served from 2003 to 2007.
Stapleton attended the National War College from 2007-2008 and obtained a Masters in National Security Strategy, his second graduate degree; he had previously found time to obtain a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle and was an honors graduate.
Stapleton’s last flying assignment was as the operations group commander at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, where he led two F-22 squadrons and also brought on the Predator and Reaper squadrons.
In 2010 Stapleton returned to the Pentagon as a planning strategist in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. In this assignment he was motivated to serve his colleagues in the Air Force and all the service branches by helping to determine long range plans and shape strategy for the Department of Defense.
In February 2012, Stapleton learned the myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood and bone cancer he had been battling since 2006, had transformed into acute myeloid leukemia. He received a bone marrow transplant in May 2012, only to find that his aggressive leukemia had relapsed in July 2012. Throughout this time, he never lost his optimistic outlook or abandoned the battle to win back his health, and continued to make plans for the future. His best memories include his time with his wife, children and flying fighters for the U.S. Air Force.
He is God’s wingman now and will be sorely missed by all.
–Obituary from Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.,Woodbridge, VA
dedicated their Heritage Room to Col. Michael “Bam Bam” P. Stapleton
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — Remembrance is brought in different ways, whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary or even a room dedication to someone that will never be forgotten.
On Nov. 7, the 43rd Fighter Squadron dedicated their Heritage Room to Col. Michael “Bam Bam” P. Stapleton, who commanded the squadron from 2004 through 2006.
“When we name a heritage room in someone’s honor, it is with the purpose of capturing a small portion of their personality in order to pass to future generations,” said Col. Derek C. France, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “That is exactly the case here. ‘Bam Bam’ knew how to live life to the fullest, he had a huge heart, and he loved being a fighter pilot. I am proud to say that his spirit lives on in all who wear the 43rd FS patch.”
Stapleton passed away in 2012, two years later the room was finally dedicated to him.
“There was never a thought of dedicating the Heritage Room to anybody prior to this,” said Lt. Col. Bill Creeden, 43rd Fighter Squadron commander. “When ‘Bam Bam’ passed away and left this Earth and his family too early, there was no question this was what we should do. Not only was he the first person we considered, but he was the only person we did. There was never a question of us doing it, but making sure we did it right.”
According to his Air Force official bio, Stapleton graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1988. After excelling through pilot training, he embarked on a career as a fighter pilot. This eventually led him to become the second commander for the 43rd FS, where he was responsible for training air dominance in the F-22 Raptor.
“He was brought down here to help stand up, what is today the only F-22 formal training unit in the Air Force,” said Creeden. “He started as the director of operations and came to command starting another legacy of producing a new generation of fighter pilots.”
Creeden had the opportunity to train while Stapleton was commander of the squadron.
“He was an incredible leader and the epitome of a fighter pilot,” he said. “His presence alone commanded your attention and you immediately wanted to mimic what he did, how he acted and how he handled things as a pilot.
“I don’t think you get a sense of how important and impactful the dedication was,” Creeden added. “I came in to work that next Monday and walked by the display case and the new sign displaying his name, ‘Bam Bam,’ and that’s when it hit me. What immediately came to mind is who he was and what he represents. For those who knew him, they immediately appreciated the legacy that he left.”
More than 100 people were in attendance for the dedication coming from as far as Alaska.
His wife Christine flew in from the Washington D.C. area just for this special day.
“She was not only appreciative, but excited that we have a permanent place for him in the Air Force and also in the 43rd FS that honors her husband’s legacy,” said Creeden. “What he gave to the 43rd FS, the F-22 community, fighter aviation and the Air Force exemplifies his hard work.”
The squadron trains current and future fighter pilots to be the best.
“Our mission is to teach the standard to the next generation and hold the line. There is no better example of this mission than the legacy of Col. Mike ‘Bam Bam’ Stapleton,” said Creeden.
