Smithsonian Museum Honors Chris “Boomer” Wilson

Former North Idaho resident the inspiration for Top Gun’s character, Viper. By Patty Hutchens / Photos Courtesy of the Wilson Family

He was a living legend. Christopher “Boomer” Wilson, a resident of Hope, ID at the time of his 2010 death, was a 28 year veteran of Naval aviation, having accumulated more than 5400 hours in the air for the US Navy and taking the controls of 30 different types of aircraft.

People throughout the world caught a glimpse of Wilson’s distinguished career as we flocked to movie theaters to see the 1986 hit Top Gun, which portrayed Tom Cruise as a fighter pilot who attended the famous Naval Fighter Weapons School. It was Wilson who was the inspiration for “Viper,” the commander of Top Gun played by Tom Skerritt.

In addition to leading the Navy Fighter Weapons School, Top Gun, Wilson logged over 150 missions over Vietnam and Laos, was a lead force in the ACEVAL/AIMVAL joint missile and tactics test at Nellis AFB in Nevada, earned six Air Medals for heroism, and served as the Commander for Fighter Squadron TWO.

But to Wilson’s family, his career, although remarkable, was nothing in comparison to the man he was. To them he was simply known as dad, Chris and Pop Pop. A man who enjoyed nothing more than being with friends and family and playing and joking with his grandchildren. “He was such a humble man,” said Kim Russo, Wilson’s daughter and a resident of Sandpoint. “In fact I did not even know of many of his accomplishments until his funeral.”

Growing up, Kim said they were primarily stationed in San Diego with the exception of one year when the family lived in Las Vegas. Following her parents’ divorce when she was 12 years old, Wilson was stationed in Hawaii and finished out his career working at the Pentagon.

“I remember he would fly in before the ship arrived,” said Kim of the memories of greeting her dad as he returned from a mission. “We would run to give him a big hug when he got off the plane.”

Kim said she and her siblings did not really know what their dad did on a daily basis. “We just knew he was dad and that he had a cool job,” said Kim.

Wilson’s wife Tere said she too knew little about his career. But since his untimely death from cancer, she has been privileged to learn more of Wilson’s career from many of Boomer’s comrades.

“His early F-8 days and flying missions in Vietnam were most likely some of his fondest and most challenging times,” said Tere. “He always felt badly and personally challenged about his long cruises away from his family.” She adds, however, that Wilson felt honored to be able to contribute to something that was bigger than his own life and personal goals- the Navy and the United States of America.

When she was about 13 years old, Kim recalls learning a bit more about the important work her dad did when his career was depicted in Top Gun. “I got to go to the set and meet Tom Cruise during the volleyball scene,” said Kim, who was likely the envy of all her teenage friends.

“Jack Epps wrote the script and spent two months with Boomer and the instructors at the Top Gun school,” explains Tere. “He used many of Boomer’s stories along with the other guys' stories while writing the script.” In fact the famous coffee cup spilling fly-by was Boomer’s story, however significantly toned down from the actual incident. During his young days as a pilot, Boomer broke the sound barrier at the Cubi Point Officers Club in the late sixties, and while doing so he broke a huge plate glass window and many light bulbs throughout the base. “Hence the call sign ‘Boomer’ was born. Luckily he never was blamed for the incident!”

In June, Kim and many members of her family traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the dedication of an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum honoring her father and his service to the United States Navy.

It is an honor that gives the family great pride. Kim credits her aunt and uncle, Dr. Richard and Sue Sugden, with spearheading the effort to have her father recognized in such a monumental way. “Our family is very appreciative of what they have done to get the ball rolling,” said Kim.

Credited with over 1000 carrier landings and holding the honor as one of the first to fly the F-14 Tomcat, Boomer’s Smithsonian exhibit includes his flight suit, medals, flying logbooks and plaques as well as an F-14 Tomcat.

The June ceremony included a formal presentation of his helmet from the family to the Smithsonian. In attendance were many friends and family members, including Wilson’s son Todd who has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a Navy Captain currently stationed in England. The day included a luncheon, a discussion of Wilson’s stellar career and a tour of the museum.

When asked what Boomer would have thought of this honor, Tere did not hesitate. “I know exactly what he would have said. He said it several times over the years when he was recognized or honored,” recalls Tere. "(He would have said) Oh no I don't deserve this! There are a lot of other guys who are as qualified if not more qualified that I am!"

Tere explained that her husband shied away from the attention he received from his notable career, but the family could not be more proud of the man they loved dearly and miss every single day. “Our family is truly humbled, honored and extremely proud of Boomer, his accomplishments as a Navy Officer and a loving father, husband and friend. He was one in a million,” said Tere.

During the last 14 years of his life, Boomer and Tere called Hope, Idaho home for much of the year. “We fell in love with Sandpoint and Hope after researching the area for a retirement home,” said Tere. “The multi-seasonal recreation and the unpretentiousness of the community drew us here as well”

Wilson was very active in the community, specifically at the Bird Aviation Museum where he enthusiastically served as a volunteer.

“When Drs. Pam and Forrest Bird opened the museum, Boomer started the docent program for them,” said Tere. “His favorite part of serving as a docent was giving tours to the young students who came through the museum.”

With all of his accomplishments, awards and honors, Kim said to her and the family what means the most is the type of man her father was. “So many people looked up to him because of his career, but that’s nothing compared to the person he was. A loving and dedicated father, grandfather and husband,” said Kim. “His was a life cut too short.”

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