Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) Bob Witzler is a native of Perrysburg, Ohio. He entered the Army in April 1982, and after completing Basic Training and Infantry Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Ga., was assigned to an 81mm mortar crew with B Company, 1-148th Infantry, Ohio National Guard.

Bob began his aviation career in January 1986 after being selected for Warrant Officer Flight Training. He completed the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course and was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer One in December 1986. After attending the UH-60 Aircraft Qualification Course, he was assigned as a Medical Evacuation Pilot with the 214th Medical Detachment, 210th Combat Aviation Battalion, Howard Air Force Base, Republic of Panama.

In April 1991 he successfully assessed with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, at Fort Campbell, Ky., where he served as a Fully Mission Qualified Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Instrument Flight Examiner and MH-6 Regiment Flight Lead. Bob’s assignments as a Night Stalker also include Special Mission Unit Liaison Officer, Battalion Standardization Officer, Regiment Standardization Officer, and Command Chief Warrant Officer.

On 29 June 2012 CW5 (R) Witzler assumed responsibility as the second Command Chief Warrant Officer of the United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne).  He retired from Active Duty in this position on 31 December 2014.

Bob is a combat veteran of Operations Just Cause (Panama), Gothic Serpent (Somalia), Iraqi Freedom/ New Dawn (Iraq) and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). 

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals for Valor, eight Air Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, five Army Achievement Medals, Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Military Freefall Parachutist Badge.

Bob is a life member of the Night Stalker Association (NSA) and serves on the Night Stalker Foundation Board of Directors as Fundraising Committee Chair.  He also serves as Quartermaster of the NSA’s Tampa Bay Chapter.

Bob and his wife Yvonne live in Tampa, Florida and have five children and six grandchildren.\