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