New Post Commander, Officers Announced by Fairfield VFW Post #5872

James C. Tyus was sworn in as the 2019-2020 Commander of VFW Wilbur H. Bailey Post 5872 on May 7, 2019 by District 29 Chaplain – Lamar Evans during a regular monthly meeting held at Sam’s Restaurant in Fairfield.

Mr. Tyus joined the US Army in 1986 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his ten-year military career, he served two years in Germany, thirteen months in Korea, and was stationed the last seven years at Ft. Hood, Texas.

While in the Army, he was a Helicopter Repairman 67V and Aero Scout Observer 93B, receiving the following military commendations: Two – Army Commendation Medals; Three – Army Achievement Medals; Three – Good Conduct Medals; One – National Defense Service Medal; One – Noncommissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon w/ Numeral 2; One – Army Service Ribbon; Two – Overseas Service Ribbon Awards; One – Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge; and One – Aircraft Crewman Badge.

Immediately following his ten-year military service, Mr. Tyus served two years in the United States National Guard, earning the certification of Aircraft Power Plant Mechanic 68B.

For sixteen years, Mr. Tyus worked for the Bristow Group based out of New Iberia, LA. He flew a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter with crew and supplies to off-shore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. This helicopter was in the movie “Deep Water Horizon”.

Mr. Tyus is currently active in the City of Fairfield, Place 1 Councilman; Grand Lodge of Texas #103, Master Mason; Fairfield Rotary Club; Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Waco Chapter; and holds a Veterans of Foreign Wars Life Membership.

Mr. Tyus is a 1971 graduate of Fairfield High School. He has received the following advanced degrees: Associates Degree – Engineering from McLennan Community College; attended Texas A&M University studying Mechanical Engineering; Associates Degree – Career Pilot from Central Texas College; Associates Degree – Aviation Maintenance Technician from Texas State Technical College; Aviation Life Support Equipment Technical Course; and Marine Helicopter Underwater Egress Training from University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Mr. Tyus is the son of the late Haynie (left) and Kerry Tyus of Fairfield. Mr. Tyus stated “In 1974, my father served as Commander of VFW Wilbur H Bailey Post 5872 and my mother served as President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.”