Warbird Information Exchange

I've sent an E-mail to his son Dean, our POC for the fly-over (The CenTex Wing was honored to be asked to do this), asking when his father passed away. As soon as I get an answer, I'll post it here. Here's a photo that Dean sent of his father, captioned "First mission over Tokoyo", as well as some of the general's accomplishments.



James Vande Hey
Veteran’s Day Resume

Summary of Service:
- UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS; UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
-- 1939-1947
--- FIGHTER PILOT: P-40, P-47, P-51; SQUADRON COMMANDER
-- 1947 – 1971
--- WING COMMANDER, AIR DIVISION COMMANDER, --- STAFF OFFICER
--- RETIRED AS BRIGADIER GENERAL

Assignments:
- 1941-1944:
WHEELER FIELD, HI, MIDWAY, NORTHERN MARIANAS ISLANDS, IWO JIMA (FIGHTER PILOT)
- 1945-1947: MITCHELL FIELD, NY (STAFF OFFICER)
- 1947-1949: TRAUX FIELD, WI (STUDENT)
- 1949-1953: HQ US AIR FORCE (STAFF OFFICER-PENTAGON)
- 1953-1956: US EMBASSY, PHILIPPINES (AIR ATTACHE)
- 1957-1959: MAXWELL AFB, AL (STUDENT, AIR WAR COLLEGE &
DEAN OF THE AIR WAR COLLEGE)
- 1960-1964: FORT LEE, VA (DIRECTOR)
- 1964-1967: RAMSTEIN AB, GERMANY (WING COMMANDER AND AIR DIVISION COMMANDER)
- 1967-1969: LANGLEY AFB, VA (HQ TAC DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL)
- 1969-1971: SAIGON, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (STAFF OFFICER)

Significant Events:
- PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR
- LED FIRST LONG-RANGE FIGHTER ESCORT OF B-29s OVER TOKYO
- SHOT DOWN FOUR ENEMY AIRCRAFT AND ONE PROBABLE
- COMMANDED LARGEST AIR DIVISION IN EUROPE
- VIETNAM WAR

Awards:
- DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
- LEGION OF MERIT (2)
- DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (2)
- BRONZE STAR MEDAL
- AIR MEDAL (3)
- JOINT SERVICE COMMENDATION MEDAL
- AIR FORCE COMMENDATION MEDAL (2)
- AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
- ASIATIC-PACIFIC MEDAL (7)
- WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
- VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL (4 BATTLE STARS)
- REPUBLIC OF KOREA ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT
- VIETNAMESE ARMED FORCES HONOR MEDAL

_________________
Mike

RIP Gen. Hey. Looks like he had good company on the trip over. Rich is that the same SQDN colors that Jim wanted to use on his P-51

Lynn

Reply from his son:

"Mike,

First, informally speaking, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for the fly-over on Saturday. The tears still don't stop for what was a great tribute to him by a great bunch of guys. Hell, I have tears as I type this.

Second, to answer your question: Dad passed away on December 21st..........yes December 21st.

It was his wish to have only his three sons, their wives and children know of his passing until after he was buried. We honored that as did we honor that he only wanted his three boys and their families at the Mass and graveside service. Only Dad knows all the reasons, but, I will say with confidence that, knowing him as well as I did, he was very humble (like many in his generation), and wanted to go out as he did in life...........a low key guy who lived for God, family and country.

...

Sincerely,

Dean

_________________
Mike

Please... my greatest sympathy to Dean and his family.

My slowest salute in high respect.

Sincerely,
David Aiken, a Director: Pearl Harbor History Associates, Inc. http://www.pearlharbor-history.org/