Eugene Criqui "Magoo" Migneault

Eugene Criqui "Magoo" Migneault, 91, passed away in Boise on Friday, December 26, 2025, in his home. He was born February 19, 1934, to Maude Tyas Migneault and Alfred Eugene Migneault in Providence, Rhode Island.

He grew up in Rehoboth Massachusetts until he was 17 and joined the Air Force on July 5, 1951.

A proud Air Force veteran, Gene was raised in a family of veterans. His dad, Alfred Eugene Migneault, joined the Scotch Canadian Army in 1914 and served 4 years in the trenches during WWI. He was twice wounded. His 2 older brothers (half-brothers) George & Billy McKiernan each served 4 years in WWII. Billy was a major in the 82nd Airborne and George was a Gunners Mate on a Destroyer, at the Battle of Midway.

Halfway through basic training, the squad was looking for volunteers for Aerial Gunners School in Denver. Gene and three others volunteered. Gene finished Gunnery School at 17 years old and was sent to Randolph Air Field to get crewed up. At 18, Gene and his crew had completed their combat training and were sent to Camp Stonemen (Pittsburg, CA) to pick up the B29 they would take to Kadena Airbase in the cities of Kadena and Chatan, Okinawa.

The crew completed 50 combat missions by March 1953 in Korea, then were sent to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Air-to-air refueling was the next big thing on the horizon, and it was coming to MHAFB. Gene jumped at the chance to be in-flight refueling technician, and became a boom operators, or “Boomer” after finishing KC97 School. KC97 refueled B47s and B52s.

In 1955 Gene re-enlisted. He planned to make the Air Force his career. He couldn’t believe the adventures he was having, especially compared to "shoveling shit on a turkey farm back home".

Gene bought a 1956 Chevy Bel Air, and drove to an American Legion Dance in Bruneau, just down the hill from MHAFB. There he met Sandra June Noble, the love of his life. The two had met at another dance two years before during his first stay in Mountain Home. They dated a short while then drove down to Elko Nevada with her parents, Noil and Sam Noble, and were married on April 7, 1956. They shared 59 years of marriage and raised three children: Leslie Migneault (son), Shannon Snow (daughter), and Elizabeth (Machelle) Migneault (daughter). Sandra preceded him in death in 2015.

In 1961 Gene went to KC135 School. Each KC135 had a 4 man crew. Pilot, Co-Pilot, Navigator and Boomer. 3 officers and 1 enlisted guy. All refueling missions were daylight missions and the KC135 could refuel any fighter – AF, Navy or Marine.

Gene flew 200 combat mission, 50 in Korea and 150 during Viet Nam. He often said “There should be a medal for the spouses that stick with the service men and service women. In good times and hard and long times of separation, raising kids alone."

Throughout his career, he built strong friendships with his fellow airmen and his friendships with Charlie Flint and Herb Noonan spanned their lifetimes. Gene and Chuck could not have been closer, even if they had been brothers. They had so many fun times together and shared many laughs and stories. The annual Flint Family Freek Out was always a special time for Gene.

In 1973 Gene retired from the Air Force and the family moved to Boise, Idaho.

Gene and Sandra shared 42 years in their home in Boise. In 2018 his daughter Machelle and daughter-in-law, Glenda Smith, sold their home and moved in to care for him, honoring his fervent wish to be allowed to die at home.

Gene was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his parents and brothers Billie McKiernan, Georgie McKiernan and Alfred "Freddie" Migneault. He is survived by his children, Machelle, Leslie and Shannon.

His request was to be cremated and placed at the Bruneau cemetery with Sandra. Gene did not want a funeral service but wanted a party at the VFW in Boise. The Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 24,2026 at 5:00 pm at the VFW Post 63 at 8931 Ardene St.,Boise, ID 83709. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Idaho Food Bank, 3630 E Commercial Ct, Meridian, ID 83642 or Meals on Wheels Metro Boise, PO BOX 140334, Boise, ID, 83714 US.