John Leslie Glossbrenner

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on August 29, 2004:

John Leslie Glossbrenner Born March 12, 1927 ? Died November 15, 2003 John Leslie Glossbrenner was born on 12 March 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 3rd Congressional District of Texas. His West Point classmates recall: "Two years in the Naval Air Force, and one at Texas A&M gave John a background which enabled him to master all problems with poise and ease. John hails from the Lone Star State and possesses a variety of talents that extend from boxing to music. An able organizer, an easygoing disposition, and a loyal friend are a few of the characteristics that point him out for future success." During his cadet days John was on the Howitzer staff all four years serving as Advertising Manager his last year; went out for Boxing; and Track; was with the Dialectic Society serving as Program Editor; was with the Golf Club serving as Vice President; and was a Cadet Lieutenant his first class year. Upon graduation John went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to the 7th Fighter Squadron in Korea and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, two Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. In 1956 John resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant in the Regular Air Force but returned to active duty with the 1737 Ferry Squadron in 1957. From 1958 to 1959 John served with the 4th Operations Squadron and then was assigned to the 111 Fighter Squadron with the Republic of Korea Air Force where he served until 1960. From 1960 to 1963 John attended Washington State University and then from 1963 to 1964 was with Space Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command. Next John went to the 612th Tactical Fighter in 1964 and served with the 612th until April 1967. The squadron was twice deployed to the Republic of Vietnam where John served as Operations Officer. While serving in Viet Nam John was awarded a second Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight, and 13 Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal for distinguished service. John's next assignment was as Commanding Officer of the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Japan from 1967 to 1968. He then received orders to Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, where he served until 1970. In 1970 John was assigned to Headquarters, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, where he served as Assistant Deputy Commander of Operations, for Operations until 1972. In late 1972 John was assigned to the Far East where he was subsequently assigned as Commander of the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. He was promoted Colonel in 1972 and reassigned Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces. He served as Chief of Operations Plans and later as Director of Tactical Operations at PACAF until 1974. John's last military assignment was as Vice Commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing in Thailand where he served as such until 1975, when he retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. After retirement John was in Sales with the Prudential Insurance Company through 1976 then was named a Principal Engineer in Project Management with the CF Braun Company where he worked until 1982. In 1982 he worked in Project Controls with the Bechtel Power until 1984 when he became a Consultant with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He then served as Manager of Operations Schedule Integration, with Northrop Aircraft B2 Division from 1985 to 1990. In 1990 John returned to the Bechtel Corporation. John and his wife Carol make their home in Richland, Washington. John got bored with retirement and took a job doing estimates for special projects for DOE. He claims it keeps him out of bars and trouble at home. John's son Ellwood is bouncing back from significant Gulf War Syndrome problems. His weight is up to 155 from less than 130 pounds and he's back in school at Washington State. Our thoughts are with John and family. The July 1991 Assembly noted, "In August 1990 John retired for the second time with the intent to move north to WA, Carol's home state. However, plans changed when eldest son, a Marine, deployed to Saudi Arabia; they decided to remain in CA until normalcy returned; so John once again rejoined Bechtel and the ranks of the employed." John retired from Bechtel in 1996. John died on November 15, 2003 while working out in a Las Vegas gym. Click to find out what makes Fly Boys tick Air Force Values ufa

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