Gordon Elmer Danforth

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on August 28, 2004:

Gordon Elmer "Joe" Danforth Born June 20, 1927 - Died July 14, 1995 Gordon Elmer "Joe" Danforth was born on June 20, 1927 to Alford and Evelyn Danforth at Bethesda Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Graduating early from H. S. he had already developed an engineering interest. The son of a railroad repairman, he worked the rails himself during the summers of 1943 and 1944. He then joined the Army Special Program at Ohio State and opted for active duty in Germany. He was appointed to West Point from the Army and reported to the Military Academy Preparatory School at Stewart Field. While at USAMAPS he met his wife-to-be, JoAnn Schwartz associated with Vogue Fashion Modeling School. Joe took the oath of allegiance on the Plain at Trophy Point on July 1, 1947 with the Class of 1951 and ranked number one in order of academic merit each of his four years at West Point. A roommate commented "Joe was finished studying each evening just as I was getting started." Gordon received the Francis Vinton Green Memorial Saber on graduation for his standing in the class. Joe was also number one in the hearts of his classmates. In every way he exemplified the motto of our alma mater, Duty, Honor, Country. Over his thirty years of military service Joe earned numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, and the Gallantry Cross from the Republic of Vietnam. Flashing back to graduation from West Point. The following day, June 6, 1951, he and JoAnn were married at the Cadet Chapel. He reported to Hondo AFB for basic flying training and JoAnn pinned his wings in August 1952 at Reese AFB. Cheryl, their first child was born there. Assigned to fly F-51's out of Ethan Allen AFB., their second daughter, Gayla, was born during this tour. He then transitioned to F-86's and went to Korea. JoAnn and their two daughters joined him in Okinawa where Joe flew F-100's out of Kadena AFB. Their first son, Gary, was born there in 1956. Returning to stateside in 1958, Joe reported to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. In short order Joe obtained a Master of Science in Instrumentation Engineering and a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. His next assignment was to teach mathematics at the Air Force Academy. He taught there until 1963 and developed a keen interest in the topography of the Rockies, geology, and narrow gage railroads. But the Air Force needed Joe's aeronautical expertise and appointed him Chief, Ballistic Systems Guidance and Control Technology at Norton AFB. He received the Missileman Badge and the Commendation Medal for "his exceptional knowledge, quick initiative, unusual understanding of technical problems and efficient technical management of re-entry and terminal guidance control programs." The Danforth's last child was born in San Bernardino in 1965 during this assignment. In May of 1966 Joe checked out on the F-4C and after counter-insurgence survival training was assigned as Operations, Plans and Training Officer with the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Ranh Bay. He earned eight Air Medals, and the Bronze Star Medal for his "exemplary leadership and personal endeavor." He was also awarded the Gallantry Cross by the Republic of Vietnam. While escorting C-123 aircraft on reconnaissance over North Vietnam, Joe was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." For three of his twelve months of combat duty, Joe was the Air Force/Navy Liaison and coordinated strategy with the Captains of three aircraft carriers, including the USS Ticonderoga and the USS Enterprise. The accomplishments in his flying career were matched by his technical contributions. He was assigned to the AF Systems Command Headquarters at Andrew AFB from 1967 to 1969 and served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development, and Acquisition with responsibility for the policy and advocacy of advanced tactical weapon systems. Joe attended the Air War College from August 1969 to May of 1970. He again distinguished himself academically and earned the Corona Harvest Award from the Aerospace Studies Institute. His research paper was cited as "of great importance to the Air Force as to how it incorporates military air support today." On graduation Joe became Deputy Commander for Operations of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing with the Royal Air Force at Bentwaters, England, and as Director of the Air Force European Office of Advanced Research and Development in London. In these capacities he met with heads of state and internationally renowned scientists to facilitate the incorporation of foreign technologies into AF programs. Joe's next assignment was to the Flight Dynamics Laboratory at Wright-Patterson. In September 1974 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior management and leadership capabilities (in the) survivability and vulnerability assessment of the A-10 and A-7D aircraft and for the planning and initiation of the advanced Fighter Technology Integration program. In September 1974 he assumed total system management responsibility for the A-7 Fighter Fleet at Tinker AFB and received commendation for making the A-7 "the best supported aircraft in the inventory." It was in this job that Joe went above and beyond the call of duty to solve a flight problem that had already killed several pilots. He not only solved the problem but he saw to it that corrective action was taken for the entire fleet and that the design defect would not be repeated in subsequent swept-wing aircraft. The Congress of the United States commended him for his outstanding leadership ability and a high degree of professional skill and being instrumental in the resolution of many complex problems with major AF weapons systems. Joe retired as a Colonel in 1979 to his family home which he built himself in the Colorado Rockies. He passed away at his mountain aerie with his family on July 14, 1995 facing death peacefully, an "ace" in life. Click to find out what makes Fly Boys tick Air Force Values ufa

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