More detail on this person: Col. John R. (Jack) McQuestion, U.S. Army, Ret., 82, of Coconut Creek, Florida, died January 26th, 2019, after a brief illness. Jack joined the Army in 1961 after graduating from Florida State University. He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and jump school at Ft. Benning, Georgia, then earned his Rotary Wing Aviator Qualification, graduating in 1963 at Ft. Rucker, AL. He was assigned to the newly formed 162nd Assault Helicopter Company late in 1965, and sailed aboard the "Gen. John S. Pope" to Vietnam in January of 1966, where he flew UH1C "Charlie" Model gunships, earning numerous Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Returning to the U.S. in January, 1967, he attended aircraft and ground instructor courses at Ft. Rucker, before being assigned to the newly formed Cobra School at Hunter Army Airfield near Savannah, GA. Jack was designated the flight instructor branch commander and was among the first group of airmen to be trained to fly the AH1G Cobra at Bell Helicopter in Ft. Worth, TX. He led a group of six aviators that picked up three of the first Cobras to come off the assembly line at Bell, to be used for pilot training at Hunter Army Airfield. Jack returned to Vietnam late in 1969 to command the 334th Aviation Company (Attack Helicopter) based in Vung Tau, the first aviation company to fly into Cambodia (officially.) Here he earned another DFC and more Air Medals. Returning to the States he attended Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Based upon his extensive experience in attack helicopters, Jack was instrumental in the development of the Army's Apache helicopter and, as Lt. Colonel, commanded the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY. In 1983, Jack was promoted to Colonel and attended the Army War College. Upon his retirement in 1985, he returned to South Florida with his beloved sailboat and soon began teaching at-risk teenagers how to sail at the Dade Marine Institute, now known as AMIKids. His leadership qualities were soon recognized, earning him a position as Director of Operations and later, Executive Director and Regional Director, until he retired in 2006. His many accomplishments aside, it was Jack's love of life and friendships that endeared him to everyone who knew him. He loved to travel, visiting many of the European countries and was fond of Greece and especially Scotland, where the McQuestion clan originated. With his beloved wife, Mary Joe, he spent many happy days traveling in their RV and attending annual family gatherings on Grandfather Mountain in the Smokeys. His was a life well-lived. He leaves behind many good friends with whom he helped create so many happy memories over a pint of ale or a glass of good brandy. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Joe McQuestion, Daughter, Joan McQuestion Gilmour and her husband Steve, Stepdaughters Julie O'Rourke and Heidi Lee, and Step-granddaughter, Kristen Lee. Additional information: Jack returned to Vietnam late in 1969 to command the AH-1G New Equipment Training Team (NETT) based at Vung Tau, and subsequently the 334th Aviation Company (Attack Helicopter) based at Phu Loi, the first aviation company to fly into Cambodia (officially) in the 1970 invasion. I was present at Phu Loi when then Major Jack McQuestion took command of the 334th Aerial Weapons Company (AWC) in 1970. Regards, Graham Stevens CW5 (Ret)
This information was last updated 10/15/2021
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: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association