Posted by XXXXXX on July 28, 2008:

Jay R. Brill ’48 No. 16533 • 17 Nov 1925 – 24 Jul 1992 • Died in Andrews AFB, MD Interred in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA Jay Richard Brill was born in Chicago, IL, the son of Floria Athalia and Dwight Walter Brill, His love for military life developed from his father who was a WWI Army Air Corps pursuit pilot and a member of the Indiana Army Air Corps Reserve. He was killed in an airplane accident at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in 1940, just before returning to active service. After attending Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, IN, for two years, Jay entered Purdue University School of Engineering, at the age of 16, where he accomplished two years of study while awaiting his appointment to West Point. Jay enjoyed the challenge of his four years at the Academy. He participated to the best of his ability in sports, worked on the Howitzer for three years (becoming managing editor), and was battalion adjutant. He entered the Air Force upon graduation completing Basic Pilot Training at Randolph AFB, TX, in 1949. In 1950, he attended Advanced Jet Fighter School at Williams AFB, AZ. Jay fell in love with Kay Alexander, the daughter of COL Moses and Nell Alexander, a retired Army couple in San Antonio, TX. Kay and Jay married there on 9 Apr 1950, They had three sons: Jay Richard II, Dwight, and Christopher. Due to a physical problem, Jay was removed from flying status in 1951. He returned to Purdue University and received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering in 1953. He then became Project Manager of the Nuclear Propulsion Project at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, from 1953–56. In 1956, he was transferred to the Special Projects Office Headquarters ARDC Lockeed (Skunk Works) in Baltimore and Andrews AFB, MD. In 1959, he was placed on loan to NASA as the Project Officer for the Atlas Centaur Development Program. In 1964, he became Director of Engineering, Gemini Launch Vehicle, of the NASA Manned Space Flight Program. In 1965, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, graduating as a distinguished academician. In 1966, he was assigned to the Chief Space Plans and Policy Headquarters at the Pentagon. In 1969, he was appointed Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development. During his assignment in the secretary’s office in 1971, he attended the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. Later, in 1971, he went to Wright-Patterson AFB to be Program Manager of the SCAD Program, forerunner of the AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missile. In 1973, he returned to Washington as Assistant DCS Systems Headquarters AFSC, Andrews AFB, MD. In 1974, he was appointed Special Project Officer for the A-10 Thunderbolt II (a.k.a. The Warthog). During 1975, Jay was promoted to brigadier general, continuing his work with the A-10, on budget, on time, until his retirement in July 1978. During his Air Force career, he earned the Legion of Merit twice and the Distinguished Service Medal. After retirement, he was Director of the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center in Pennsylvania for the then-new Department of Energy. In 1979, he went to Washington to be Deputy Undersecretary for Strategic Petroleum Reserves for the Department of Energy. From 1980–90, Jay was the Assistant General Manager, Systems Group, Unisys Corporation in McLean, VA, until his final retirement. During Jay’s long professional career he maintained many key activities. He was on the Defense Science Board, was an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a member of the Order of the Daedalians, a Charter Member of the Aviation Hall of Fame, a member of the Fighter Pilot’s Association, Chairman of the Board of the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, a member of the NASA Alumni League, on the Board of Directors of United Community Ministries, a life member of the Air Force Association, Honorary Professor of the Defense Systems Management College, Chairman of the Board of the American Freedom Coalition, and a member of Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi engineering honor societies. Wherever he lived, Jay was always active in the Episcopal Church, frequently serving as a member of the Vestry. In his daily life, Jay Richard Brill exemplified the West Point motto to a greater degree, Duty, Honor, Country, and Family. He always unselfishly placed the importance of his family before himself. Jay also had a motto for life: “You only live life once,” making the point to enjoy life to its fullest. That he did! He served as a terrific power of example to me and many others throughout his life. May God bless your place in the eternal Long Gray Line! Love, Tiger

admin