AMBARD, PHILIP

Philip Dave Ambard was born April 4, 1967, at Caracas, Capital District in Venezuela. He came to the United States in 1979 at the young age of 12. Until he entered the U.S. Air Force in 1985, he lived with his mother. When he arrived in the US, Philip spoke no English. Television shows (soap operas in particular) became his English teachers, and he learned to speak the language of his adopted country without an accent. His favorite TV learning tools were All My Children and General Hospital. In February of 1985, while Philip was a senior in high school and still underage, his mother, on her son’s behalf, filed his Petition for Naturalization. This was the first step for him to become a citizen of the United States. 

Having been told that it would speed up the process to receive his citizenship papers if he was in the military, at the age of 18, Philip joined the U.S. Air Force. Enlisting in the Air Force, Philip was an Airman First Class, then attained the rank of Sergeant and in 2000, he became an officer. During his 26 years in the military, he served at several stations — including Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, Hill Air Force Base in Utah and at the American Air Base in Bitburg, Germany. He married in 1988. With his marriage, he became the step-father to three young children; later he and his wife would have two more children. 

While on active duty, Maj Ambard received his bachelor’s degree in night school, went on to get a master’s from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and a doctorate at the University of Denver. If that wasn’t enough, he also spoke 8 languages. A father of five, he put three kids into the Air Force Academy and one into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Three have graduated and one is a sophomore. The fifth kid was a top high school scholar in the Pikes Peak region and attends University of Denver.  

Maj Ambard and 7 other Airmen and one U.S. contractor were killed on April 27, 2011 when an Afghan pilot opened fire at Kabul International Airport, reportedly after an argument. He was assigned to 460th Space Communications Squadron, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. 

Philip was a busy man, but found time for Boy Scouts, church and other community activities. Co-workers said it seemed like he’d gained the ability to live without sleep. “I will always remember Phil for a phrase he would say anytime I asked him to do anything — ……‘Consider it done, sir’….. 

At the Air Force Academy in Colorado, this respected and hard-working professor has never been forgotten. In his honor, a year ago, the academy established the Maj. Philip Ambard Conference Room. 

The Washington State Fallen Heroes Project proudly remembers Maj Philip Ambard for his service, sacrifice, and commitment to our nation. His life continues to inspire all who learn his story.