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Capt John F. Harvey
Airplane Commander
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John F. Harvey was
born in Davenport, WA. Aug. 2, 1918, and moved to Spokane,
WA where he lived until he joined the military service
in 1941. He attended the Montana School of Mines and
the University of Idaho where he was a member of Phi
Gamma Delta. After joining the Civil Engineers
in 1941, he transferred to Pilot Training in the Army
Air Corps, and subsequently served with honors as
a pilot during WWII. He flew in all the major battles
over Japan and was selected to fly the First General
Officer to survey the damage of the nuclear bomb drop
in Japan. He returned to the USA in 1945, as a Major
assigned to Mach AFB, Riverside, CA, where he met
and married Lilas Doherty on May 6, 1946.
Col. Harvey’s Air Force career
included many first experiences, starting with being
in the original cadre of officers forming the Strategic
Air Command where he remained until he retired in
November 1968. He was with the first officers coming
from Washington DC to Bellevue, Neb., to establish
SAC Headquarters for the Air Force in 1948. Following
Nebraska, he was in the first group of officers to
establish USAF bases in French Morocco, Africa, in
1951. In 1954 he transferred to Savannah, GA, heading
up the B-47 Squadron of the 308th Bomb Wing, where
he helped pioneer the first B-47 Air Refueling System
and the First Alert System for the AF.
After receiving the rank of Colonel,
he was transferred to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX.,
where he served with the very first U-2 Squadron at
the 4080th Wing, for these very high altitude reconnaissance
airplanes used early in the Cold War. Promoted to
Base Commander, he supervised building the first base
housing which received the award for Outstanding Housing
in SAC.
Among the numerous medals and awards
Col Harvey received during his military service were
The Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with
1 oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with 4 oak
leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the Asiatic Pacific
Campaign Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit with
2 bronze oak leaf clusters.
After 28 years in the AF, Col Harvey
retired at Bergstom AFB, Austin, TX. In retirement
he joined Jack Crosby’s company, Prime Cable
TV and lived and thrived in Austin. Some of their
greatest memories and enjoyments were as participants
in the life of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Austin
for 32 yrs. John felt his greatest tribute came as
the first recipient of the “St. Matthews Medal
for Outstanding Parishioners” where it was stated
that he was a “tireless and compassionate servant
who is a legend here with his ministry.”
Col
Harvey and his wife have four daughters; five granddaughters
and three grandsons.
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John
F. Harvey, Col, USAF Ret passed away 16 Jan 2007. His
memorial service was held 29 Jan in San Antonio, TX;
Burial Service was held Jan 30 in Austin, TX. |
Crew
57 Main Page
62nd
Squadron Crew Index
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