Harold Edward Headlee

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by J. A. "Andy" Chacon on January 3, 2013:

Harold Edward Headlee Born January 5, 1930 -- Died January 1, 2013 Harold Edward "Hal" Headlee was born in Garard's Fort, Pennsylvania on 5 January 1930 and was appointed to West Point from the 24th Congressional District. His West Point classmates recall: "Out of the dense smog of the Pennsylvania hinterland (fifty miles below Pittsburgh) came this solitary figure, beaming, confident, and willing to take his place in the Long Grey Line. His pleasing disposition and competitive spirit won ready acclaim for him in his every field of endeavor. Hal's versatility and prowess in athletics will always stand him in good stead." During his cadet days Hal went out for Basketball, Cross Country and Track his plebe year, was on the Basketball team for three years and earned a Monogram, he was with the Chess and Model Railroad Clubs plebe and yearling years, was Golf Representative and Cadet Sergeant his first class year. On graduation Hal went in the Air Force and after washing out of pilot training, went to Navigation School and completed the course in 1952 whereupon he reported to the 13th Bombardment Squadron, 3rd Bombardment Wing in Korea where he served with the writer, who was with the 90th Bombardment Squadron of the 3rd Bomb Wing. On completion of his tour Hal 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. From 1953 to 1957 Hal was a Navigation Instructor with the 3605th Training Group at Ellington AFB, Texas. His next assignment was to attend basic weather training at Texas A&M from 1957 to 1958. On completion of this training Hal was assigned to the Flight Service Center at Olmstead AFB from 1958 to 1959. Next Hal went with the 59th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" where he served until 1962. In 1965 Hal earned a Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts and on completion was assigned to the 3rd Weather Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska from 1964 to 1967. The from 1967 to 1968 he served with the 1st Weather Wing in the Republic of Vietnam. On completion of this tour Hal was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished meritorious service. On return to stateside Hal was assigned to Headquarters, 21st Air Force where he served until 1971. Hal's last military assignment was to Office, Joint Chiefs of Staff where he served until 1975 when he retired from the United States Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. Hal made his home in Marion, Virginia. His wife Jerilynn died of cancer in December 1996.

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