More detail on this person: Capt. Thomas John
Trebby, 69, died unexpectedly April 15, 2015,
after a 10 month battle with gastric cancer. He
was born in Lafayette, Indiana, to Claudine
Chelmaniak and Francis 'Jack' Trebby, Professor of
Engineering at Purdue University, also Gonzaga
University, Spokane, WA., where he taught History.
Tom attended Gonzaga Preparatory High School,
Spokane, Seattle University, Seattle, and Embry
Riddle University, Daytona, Fla. While at Seattle
U he learned to fly at Boeing Field. He enlisted
in the US Army during the Vietnam War where he
learned to fly helicopters. He was assigned to the
119th Assault Helicopter Group in 1968-69. He rose
to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer III during
his service to the Virginia Army National Guard,
Richmond, VA. He was awarded The Distinguished
Flying Cross, Purple Heart and The Air Medal for
services rendered during his tour in Vietnam. The
Air Medal citation reads "W1 Thomas J. Trebby
distinguished himself by meritorious achievement,
while participating in sustained aerial flight, in
support of combat ground forces in the Republic of
VietnamA¿ he actively participated in more than 25
aerial missions over hostile territory in support
of operations against communist aggression. During
all of these flights, he displayed the highest
order of air discipline and acted in accordance
with the best traditions of the service. By his
determination to accomplish his mission, in spite
of the hazards inherent in repeated aerial flight
over hostile territory, and by his outstanding
degree of professionalism and devotion to duty, he
brought credit upon himself, his organization and
the United States Army." After military service he
flew for Puerto Rican International Airways, San
Juan, PR, IRAN AIR, Tehran, Iran, Piedmont
Airlines and USAIRWAYS from which he retired in
2004 as Capt. B767-200 ER. He flew a corporate
Learjet then went to New Delhi, India, to fly
B737-700 for SPICE JET. After returning to the US
he joined the Commemorative Air Force and
became Executive Officer of the Old Dominion
Squadron in Franklin, Va. Capt. Trebby earned
aircraft type ratings on UH-1 Huey helicopter, De
Havilland Heron, B-727, B-737, B-757, B-767,
Learjet and Stearman. He is survived by his loving
wife of 33 years, Freddie Wyckoff Trebby, brother,
Russell, Boise, Idaho, and nephew, Will Cullen,
Katy, Texas. A funeral service will be conducted
at 12:45 PM, Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at
the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel, Arlington, VA,
followed by interment with full military honors in
Arlington National Cemetery. Friends attending
must arrive by 12:15 through Arlington National
Cemetery at the Old Post Chapel. For more
information or directions, please contact R.
Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead
Ave, Hampton, VA. 757 723-3191 In lieu of flowers
please support cancer research.
Published in Daily Press on May 22, 2015
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 01/12/2015
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