It wasn’t until after his death in October of last year, when his sons opened an old military trunk, that they discovered the full scope of their father’s service, from flight maps from secret bombing runs and medals for valor to his meticulous notes from more than 240 combat missions.

Royer, who was 91 when he died in 2024, was born in Centre Hall and spent much of his youth in nearby Millheim. A serious man who remained active in his community, Royer was notoriously private.

In his later years, he suffered complications linked to Agent Orange, a hazardous tactical herbicide used in Vietnam, and carried with him the weight of the missions he had flown — particularly the traumatic loss of members of his flight crew.

Despite his silence, Royer meticulously documented his service, leaving behind maps, photographs and hand-written notes tucked away in his home.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Kenneth's sons, Donald and Dennis, are pictured amidst their father’s memorabilia.

After his passing, his sons began sorting through the memorabilia and uncovered, among other things, evidence of covert bombing campaigns in Laos and Cambodia, as well as personal records that added depth to their understanding of his life.

Kenneth Royer enlisted in the Air Force on April 7, 1953, and completed basic training at a military installation in New York, where he passed the Aviation Cadet Entrance Examination. Later that year, he graduated from Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and began what would become a decorated, two-decade-long career that took him from the Korean Peninsula to the skies over Vietnam.

During his service, Royer served as a radar navigator on more than 240 B-52 bombing missions — a tally almost unheard of among airmen of his era. Known for his precision, he performed complex calculations amid enemy fire to guide his crew through successful strikes against critical targets.

After one mission, his son Donald J. Royer recalled, “The military police came out in a Jeep, got him from the plane and took him back to a conference room. They went over what his next mission was and gave him a half-hour before getting into another B-52 and flying.”

Royer’s skill as a navigator earned him the respect of his fellow crew members and made him indispensable to his squadron.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

“I asked him one time, I said, ‘So, you’re that good?'” Donald said. “And he goes, ‘You put a dime in the backyard, guarantee I’ll hit it.'”

Royer’s skill and steadiness in the sky earned him a long list of decorations over his 20 years of service. A multiple-time recipient of the Air Medal — conferred by executive order of the president — he received one for each tour and notable accomplishment.

Among his other honors were the Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, among others.

But his most prestigious honor came in 1972, when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. On April 4 of that year, Royer demonstrated exceptional skill during aerial operations as a B-52 radar navigator over Southeast Asia.

“On that date, while flying a critical bombing mission against a high-priority target, Colonel Royer’s aircraft encountered hostile fire immediately after making a successful weapons release,” the citation accompanying the award reads. “During the attack, Colonel Royer constantly kept his pilot advised of missile detonations and other aircraft positions, thereby dynamically assisting in the safe recovery of all aircraft and crews.”

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

The award goes on to highlight his skill and dedication: “The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Royer reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”

“He got everybody back safe by keeping them apprised as to what was going on and where they were at,” said his daughter-in-law, Penny Royer, proudly.

Though he was most well-regarded as a radar navigator, “the other aspect of his military career is that most of it was in the Strategic Air Command,” said one of his other sons, Dennis D. Royer.

Throughout the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union held their fingers over the proverbial nuclear button. At each base, Dennis said, about six planes were usually pre-loaded with nuclear weapons. As part of his responsibilities, his father was prepared to respond to a nuclear attack at a moment’s notice.

Dennis, who lived on base with his father, recalled one of the tensest moments of that era: the Cuban Missile Crisis.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

“During the Cuban Missile Crisis, they were at the end of the runway — engines running — waiting for takeoff,” he said. “What their targets were, who knows. But they were ready to wage nuclear war.”

Thankfully, the U.S. and the Soviet Union didn’t come to blows, and Royer was able to conclude his career alive, having never deployed a nuclear weapon. Instead, near the end of his career, he reached a personal milestone: his 200th mission, when his wife, Lois Smith, joined him in the tower.

“They were soulmates,” said Penny. “She was his driving force.”

On that mission, Penny said. “She got on the radio and said, ‘Honey, I’m bringing you home.'”

Having preceded him in death, Lois, Penny imagines, offered the same guidance on his final journey to the heavens that she gave him on his way down from them.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

In memory of Lt. Col. Royer, his family hopes to honor him soon with a flyover.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS Various photos, medals, journals and other artifacts uncovered by the Royer family after Kenneth passed on Oct. 11, 2024 are shown.