Jack Lewis Price

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on February 20, 2012:

Jack Lewis Price Born August 27, 1927 -- Died February 13, 2012 Jack Lewis Price was born in Bristol, VA on 27 August 1927 and was appointed to West Point from the 9th Congressional District. His classmates recall: "Associated with the military since he was 17, Jack built his background in the ASTRP at VMI and the 13th Air Force. Although not a hive he usually managed to keep a few 'tenths cushion.' His favorite saying, 'whether or not I go pro depends on which runs out first, my tenths or the days.'" During his cadet days Jack was with the French Club plebe, yearling and cow years; with the Dialectic Society and the Railroad Club plebe and yearling years; with the General Committee cow and first class years; with the Policy Committee cow year; was a Chapel Usher first class year; and was a Cadet Captain his first class year, serving as Regimental Training Officer. Upon graduation Jack went in the Air Force and after flying training reported to 25 Flight Squadron in Korea where he served from 1952 to 1953 and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for distinguished heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and two Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. On return to stateside he was assigned to the 3550th Combat Crew Training Wing IPIS where he served from 1953 to 1956. In 1958 Jack earned a Master of Science degree from MIT, Cambridge, MA and was then assigned to the Air Force Missile Test Center where he served until 1962. Jack's next assignment was to the 6555 Aero Support Test Wing from 1962 to 1963 when he was assigned to the Astronautics Department at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO until 1967. Next Jack received orders to Homestead AFB and served there until 1968 when he was assigned to Headquarters, 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron in the Republic of Vietnam and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy and 3 additional Air Medals for meritorious achievement beyond that normally expected, while participating in aerial flight. From 1969 to 1970 Jack served with Space and Missile Systems Organization, Los Angeles, CA and was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Next Jack went to Headquarters, Air Force Service Command where he served from 1973 to 1978 and was awarded a second Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Jack's last military assignment was as Commander of the 6550th Air Base Wing from 1978 to 1980 when he retired from the United States Air Force as a Colonel and was awarded a third Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Jack and his wife Pat (now deceased) made their home in Goode, VA.

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