GODFREY EDWARD J

Edward J Godfrey was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/07/2018
This information was provided by Sammie Williams-obit

More detail on this person: Lt. Col. Ed Godfrey, 93, a resident of Wheaton, passed away January 7, 2018. He was born June 10, 1924 and raised in Wheaton, IL. He graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1942. He received his Wings of Gold and U.S. Marine second lieutenant bars May 16, 1944, at age 19. He was stationed on five aircraft carriers during World War II and three aircraft carriers during the Korean War. He flew more than 1,000 hours in Corsair and is featured in the book "International Air Power Review, Volume 11" with a lead photo in the Korean War section in his Corsair, fully loaded, heading to North Korea. He volunteered for Vietnam and flew a night flare, sensor and radio relay mission in the C-117. During the day he flew Cobra gunship helicopter missions. He retired from the reserves in 1973, having flown 150 combat missions, 38 different aircraft, 163 carrier landing and more than 4,000 flight hours during his career. Some of his medals include two Distinguished Flying crosses, the Bronze Star with Combat V, eight Air medals, six Campaign stars and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In 1991, he volunteered for duty during Operation Desert Shield/Storm in the Gulf and even though he didn't serve, he received a letter of appreciation. Former President Bush's wife Laura, wrote to him on his 80th birthday: "To have served in one conflict is heroic; to have served in three and volunteered for a fourth is astonishing!" Ed enjoyed scuba diving, race car driving and bowling. He is survived by his wife of 49 years Catherine Mary Dunn; his children Kerry Ann Spell (USAF Ret.), Lt. Col. USAF Patrick M. (Amy) Godfrey, Shannon (Jim) Bedard, Edward J. (Laura) Godfrey Jr.; his grandchildren Kayla, Ethan, Tyler, Ryan, Kylie, Hayley, Brooke, Tanner and Trevor. Visitation Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Funeral prayers Saturday 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home proceeding to Mass at noon at St. Michael Catholic Church 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment St. Michael Cemetery Wheaton, IL. Info @ www.williams-kampp.com or 630-668-0016. Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald on Jan. 9, 2018

Burial information: St. Michael Cemetery Wheaton, IL

This information was last updated 01/11/2018

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024