More detail on this person: Jack J. King, September 7, 1933 - November 28, 2015
Born to Lewis C. King and Gertrude Winkle on September 7th, 1933 as James John King. He was the
eighth of nine children, born in the depth of the Great Depression in Tacoma, Washington. Although
his Dad had a mere eight grade education, he was a talented craftsman and was able to provide for
his family during the hardest of times. They lived on a large piece of property that was used
wisely. Fruit trees and gardens flourished and provided much needed sustenance to a hungry, growing
family. Everyone in the family pitched in and cared for the gardens, while Mom and the girls did
most of the canning and preserving. Dad also was an avid fisherman and provided the family with lots
of fish, particularly, salmon. Although they were poor, they were never hungry.
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Jack was an eight year old boy taking a break from chores
and reading the funny papers as he lay on the floor in front of their big old family radio. As the
bulletin broke through, his mother went "Nuts", as he put it, as his older brother Lew was out on an
aircraft carrier believed to be in Pearl Harbor. As we now know, that was not the case, but in those
days it took weeks to get the news. His mother was a wreck the entire time!
We all know how intelligent Jack was, but as a teenager he was far more interested in girls than
books. His older brothers would set him up with some very interesting and dangerous odd jobs.
Driving a logging truck, working tug boats, and driving money shipments for the U.S. Post Office.
Despite school and jobs, Jack fell in the wrong crowd and needed to change direction. He had always
wanted to fly, therefore, he joined the U.S.A.F. He also changed his name officially, to Jack J.
King.
However, without a college degree and with the Korean War spooling down, his dream of flying for the
Air Force was not a reality. What was a reality was the Air Force Flying Clubs that Jack took
advantage of immediately. He received his first pilot's license from Canada! From then on, there was
no stopping Jack. He went on to obtain any and every license and rating a pilot could possible
receive!
In the meantime, while being based in Maine, he met and married Patricia O'Neal. She gave him two
beautiful children, Gary, on Christmas Day 1953 and Sharon, on February 28, 1957. Pat and the kids
would endure the lives that all military families do, separation and sacrifice.
A rumor got around that the Army was looking for "A Few Good Men" to fly their aircraft. Jack didn't
hesitate. His pay would double and he would finally move up in rank. In one day, Jack left
Barksdale, Louisiana and reported the next day to Ft. Wolters, TX. with only a flight suit and a few
pair of skivvies. He reported for duty thinking he would be flying fixed wing aircraft, but they
surprised him when he was immediately enrolled in helicopter flight training.
Since Jack had already obtained flight instructor status on fixed wing, once he completed helicopter
training, he was sent to helicopter flight instructor school. Once he became a helicopter flight
instructor, he was training young men to go off to fight in Vietnam. Jack did this with a heavy
heart, however, he made sure that they were well trained, confident, and knew every trick that he
could teach them to get them out of trouble should it arise.
Eventually, Jack's turn came to serve in Southeast Asia. His first tour was 66-67 and the second
1969. He received his two Distinguished Flying Crosses during his first tour. Although he has always
been proud of his medals and of his brothers and sisters that have also received the medal, the real
heroes are those that are left behind; those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Another interesting tour of duty was flying the Ambassador of Pakistan for two years. Since we've
been married, he's been a plethora of information about the area, the customs, and the people.
Jack retired from the U.S. Army on January 31, 1979. Wisely, he worked at Flight Safety for a year
in St. Louis for a year, where he knew he would make contacts for future employment. He was picked
up by Convair, which was later bought by General Dynamics, and finally by Hughes. (While working, he
finished both his bachelors and Masters Degrees.) When the flight department closed, Jack became a
contract pilot as Professional Pilot Services. When his beloved Pat became seriously ill, Jack
finally retired from professional flying. However, he still needed an outlet and became interested
in the Commemorative Air Force.
The Commemorative Air Force restores WWII aircraft to flying condition. They have units all over the
country and one here in San Diego. Jack joined and began flying the SNJ-5. After his wife passed
away, it was a good outlet for Jack to force him out of the house and doing what he loved most.
Seven months passed. Jack and I met at a Riverside Commemorative Air Force Wing event. I can't
speak for Jack, but for me, sparks flew and the butterflies soared. We married a year later, and of
course, our reception was in a hangar surrounded by aircrafts!
Jack was a wonderful husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, mentor, and
friend. He was unique among men. He gave much and asked little in return. The house is lonely now,
and my best buddy is gone. May God grant him the T-34 that he always wanted and a blue sky where
he can soar to heaven's content! Be at peace, Jack, but know that you are loved dearly and sorely
missed!
You are the wind beneath my wings,
I LOVE YOU JACK!!!
Linda
Burial information: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA
This information was last updated 10/13/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association