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 @
Burial information: St. Michael Cemetery Wheaton, IL
This information was last updated 01/11/2018
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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2023
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