Honoring Our Heroes

Master Sergeant James L. Berdeaux: Age 74

Master Sergeant (MSgt) James L. Berdeaux served 24 years in the U.S, Air Force. His Air Force Service Code (AFSC) included Security Police and Aircraft Control and Early Warning Radar. His me dals, badges citations and campaign ribbons included: Air Force Unit Award, AF Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Reserve Forces Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with two bronze stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short Tour, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long Tour, Air Force Longevity Service with five oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with bronze hourglass and with one bronze "M" device, USAF NCO Professional Military Education graduate ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksman- ship ribbon, AF Training Ribbon and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

MSgt Berdeaux was born June 26,1950 in Montgomery, AL, to his parents, James E. and Betty J. Berdeaux. Although his family moved often until he reached junior high school, he was educated at Alabama Christian Academy at Montgomery, AL, graduating in May 1968.

MSgt Berdeaux volunteered for military service, and his service began July 17, 1968. He reported to Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX, where he completed 12 weeks of Boot Camp. He then completed eight weeks of training at the Security Police School at Lackland. His first duty station was at Minot AFB, North Dakota, where he worked in security for three months. Next, he transferred to Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, for one year. This was followed by a tour at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, for three months. He then volunteered for service in Vietnam, and he served for 12 months in Southeast Asia. Upon his return from Thailand, he was assigned to MacDill AFB, FL, for five months. He was discharged from military service in May 1972 and then reenlisted January 29, 1973. Using the G.I. Bill, he earned a B.S. Degree in Criminal justice from Troy University in Montgomery, AL in 1976. Upon reentry into the military, he completed seven weeks of training at the Aircraft Control and Early Warning School at Kessler AFB, MS. He then served at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, for five months as a radar technician. Next, he served at Wheeler AFB, HI, where he identified all aircraft inbound to the islands for three years. This was followed by service at Eglin AFB, FL, while assigned duties in the Armament Development Test Center. He was discharged in June 1977. In January 1990, MSgt Berdeaux joined the Air Force Reserve in his former AFSC which was Security. He was recalled to active duty in November 2001. Upon reentry into the military, he completed seven weeks of training at the Aircraft Control and Early Warning Radar School at Keesler AFV, MS. He then served at Myrtle Beach, AFB, S.C., for five months as a radar technician. His AFSC changed back to Security, and he served the remainder of his military service at Maxwell AFB, AL, until he retired from all military service September 29, 2002

Following his miliary service, MSgt Berdeaux was employed as a territorial sales representative with Weaver Paper Company calling on the printing trade and office supply stores. Since 2010, he has been the owner of Berdeaux Sauces. He inherited the recipes from his grandfather, Rufus White, the chef at the Pickwick FBQ Café in downtown Montgomery, AL, during 1900-1949 and owner of three restaurants in Prattville, AL, during the 1940's. MSgt Berdeaux had a taste for the sauce business long before he started selling it. The former Air Force Master Sergeant grew up in the River Region eating barbecue with a homemade sauce cooked up by his grandfather. When he died, he handed down the recipe to his family. MSgt Berdeaux had spent years giving the sauce away in Mason jars to friends old and new. After retiring, he decided to bottle that sauce, and then he used it as a base to create more flavors for different types of food - Vintage Revenge steak sauce, Simply Creole barbecue sauce and Sweet Island cocktail sauce that are chemical free with no preservatives.

MSgt Berdeaux and his wife, Gloria, have been married 46 years, and they have four children. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 607 and the VFW Smith-Wayne Pose 96.

MSgt Berdeaux's conclusions about his military service are: "Serving in the military instilled a spirit of patriotism that nothing else could match."