Bernard Lee Jacquez, born May 10, 1942, in Bell, Calif., passed away on May 5, 2023, in Mustang, Okla. Call sign “Hawk” (due to the lifelong mispronunciation of his surname), he often pondered to label his autobiography, Dumb Luck, for the amazing life he led.

Serving his country for 42 years, Hawk first enlisted at 17 in the U.S. Navy in 1959 for nine years before transferring to the U.S. Army ascending to the rank of CW4.  He flew the UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra helicopters; flying an excess of 550 combat missions in Vietnam, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, his first Bronze Star, and 22 Air medals, among others.

Hawk served in the California and Michigan Army National Guard and was recalled to active duty for Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War with the Ordnance Corps in 1991 earning his second Bronze Star. Due to his actions, he accepted the invitation to the position of Midway Island Operations.

Upon retiring from the Army National Guard, he promoted to Captain in the Air Force Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol, to a liaison position in British Columbia with Canadian Armed Forces. His life spent mostly in San Diego and last few years in Alamosa, Colo. Illness forced him to move to Mustang, Okla., with his daughter. His kindness and generosity only exemplified his love to help others.

Born to Lucy Leon and Joseph Jacquez of Colorado, Hawk is survived by his loving daughter, Juanita Holland and her husband Tim of Mustang; his son Jonathan Jacquez of Barre, Vt.; grandsons Topher Holland (Edmond) and Jason Holland (OKC), and granddaughter-in-law Lorin Schoepflin of Edmond, Okla.; great-grandchildren Samantha and Bentley Schoepflin (also Edmond), and brothers Ronald Jacques and David Leyva, of Hemet, Calif., as well as many nieces and nephews, and friends in San Diego and Alamosa.

Friends and family are invited to funeral services on Friday, May 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. at McNeil’s Funeral Home in Mustang, Okla. Burial to follow at 1 p.m. at Ft. Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, O.