It is with profound sadness that we at Stand Up America US acknowledge the passing of one of America’s greatest fighter pilots and true patriots. The brother of our close friend and SUA Kitchen Cabinet member, Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney (USAF-Ret.), took his “last flight west” this past week.
We wish Tom and his family our deepest condolences as we pray for solace to calm their souls and mend their hearts in this time of sorrow. Godspeed Jim, may you rest in peace in the clouds you so loved to be among, and may you be reunited for eternity with your lovely bride, the other love of your life, Mary Catherine.
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“To fly west, my friend, is the one final check we all must take.” - Author Unknown
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Remembrance – Major General James E. McInerney Jr, USAF Retired
Major General James E. McInerney, Jr,, USAF Retired, died of natural causes at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 14, 2014. He was 84.
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 3, 1930, where his parents Captain James E McInerney and Rose Adikes McInerney were stationed at Springfield Armory, he was oldest of five children. A true leader, he spent his entire life in service in the Army, Air Force and defense industrial base.
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British (CBE)
MG James E. McInerney, Jr.
Jim entered West Point in July 1948 after a stint with the 82nd Airborne Division, which was still manned with many WW II combat veterans who endowed Jim with a fierce combat spirit that he kept throughout his lifetime.
At West Point he was the Captain of the Army Boxing Team and the Eastern Intercollegiate Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion in 1951 and 1952.
He was very proud of the Class of ’52 and always kept in close touch with classmates. At graduation, Jim had to choose between trying out for the 1952 Olympic Boxing Team or going to Flight School to become a Fighter Pilot.
He chose flying and never regretted it.
After his first assignment at Niagara Falls flying F-86s, he was posted to Korea. Jim shot down the last enemy MIG-15, piloted by a Chinese Communist, on May 10th 1955, as air combat continued well after the Korean Armistice was signed. This combat action brought international acclaim.
Jim’s next assignment was the Military Airlift Transport Service, ferrying newly-built fighter aircraft overseas. Jim made dozens of these risky high-altitude flights across the North Atlantic to Europe and North Africa before in-air refueling was operational for fighters.
This invaluable flying experience marked Jim as an outstanding Air Force pilot.
In 1960, Jim earned a Master’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Princeton University. Assigned to the Research and Development Section of the Tactical Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, the home of the Fighter Pilot, Jim conducted many Operational Test and Evaluation programs in F-105 during his three years there. This experience would prove invaluable later in the skies over Vietnam.
On July 6, 1963, Jim married the love of his life, Mary Catherine Hill, in the Catholic Chapel at West Point. He was soon assigned to the Royal Air Force Staff College at Bracknell, England, where the newly married couple formed many life-long friends. Their next assignment was in Germany with the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing.
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
In 1967, seeking duty in Southeast Asia, then Lt. Colonel McInerney was assigned as Commander, 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the largest squadron in the USAF. Jim had the daunting mission of leading pilots on “Wild Weasel” flights to suppress Soviet-built North Vietnamese air defenses, which were exacting heavy pilot losses and threatening US air superiority.
While leading intense, hazardous combat operations over North Vietnam, Jim developed and trained his crews in new air tactics, inspired them through example, and personally destroyed 17 surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, a world record. Attesting to his superb leadership, he lost no aircrews in combat.
Jim is among the 40 most-decorated heroes of the Vietnam war, earning the Air Force Cross, three Silver Stars, and seven Distinguished Flying Crosses. For his “distinguished combat leadership in pioneering the use of new tactics”, the Air Force Association recognized then Lt. Colonel McInerney with its “Citation of Honor” and for his exploits in combat and his mentoring junior officers designated him a “Living Legend.”
From 1968 to 1971 Jim was assigned to Pacific Air Force Headquarters, the National War College and the Pentagon, earning a second Master’s Degree in International Relations along the way.
He then assumed command of the 26th Tactical Fighter Wing at Zweibrucken, West Germany in late 1971. Promoted early to Brigadier General, he was assigned in 1973 to Ankara, Turkey, as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group.
Soon promoted to Major General, he had assignments as Chief of Foreign Military Sales, Commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and finally as Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Analysis.
The National Defense Industrial Association presented its highest award for achievement, the NDIA Gold Medal, to Vice President of Membership and Chapters retired Air Force Maj. Gen. James E. McInerney Jr. McInerney retires at the end of December 2011.
Retiring in 1980 after 28 years in the military, Jim devoted his civilian working-life to serving our nation in leadership positions that strengthened our national security, industrial base, and international relations.
Initially with MacDonald Douglas Corporation, Jim then became Vice President, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), a leading organization in promoting technology, advanced weaponry and training for our war-fighters. Jim helped increase membership from 25,000 to 60,900.
NDIA is recognized in Congress and the Pentagon as the thoughtful, legal and ethical “voice of our industrial base.”
As a founder and volunteer Executive Director, Jim played a major role in obtaining support and financing for the award-winning, internationally acclaimed American Air Museum at RAF Duxford, England, which honors the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases in World War II.
In June of 2000, in recognition of his diplomat-business-military achievements, Her Majesty the Queen designated Jim a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), which is the equivalent of being knighted.
Jim was a past President of the Jefferson Island Club as well as a member of long standing in the Order of the Mushrooms.
His loving wife of 38 years, Mary Catherine McInerney, passed away in July 2011.
He is survived by his daughter Anne, son-in-law Earl Comstock, granddaughter Clare Comstock; son Jake and his girlfriend Debbie Seymour; sister Patsy Whitaker and brother-in-law Hubert; brother Tom (USMA ’59) and sister-in-law Mona; plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He will be buried at the West Point Cemetery, joining his wife Mary Catherine, Mother and Father (USMA ‘23), and brothers John (USMA ‘59) and Dick (USMA ‘60).
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