≋✟≋ Jim McInerney, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret.) Service, 29 Oct. 2014 Yesterday, several of us, River Rats and Wild Weasels, went to the Ft. Myer Memorial Chapel to a Mass to honor and remember M/G (USAF Ret) James E. McInerney, Jr. Among us were Ron Iverson, Gene Russell, Phil and Mimi Drew, Fred Lewis, Rudy Peksens, Swede Seagren, Ed Victor Ballanco and I. Jims 2 children, Ann and Jake, provided moving memories of their Dad. His brother, Lt Gen Tom McInerney (Fox News) covered some events from Jims distinguished career. Some of the highlights are below from his obituary. Jim was an icon in the Wild Weasel community based on his leadership of the 13th TFS. One of the most amusing stories came from Tom regarding the 10 May MIG-15 shoot down. I know some of you mentioned the fact that it was well after the armistice. As it happened, there were three shoot downs that day. Jims was one of them. The investigation afterwards concluded that they were in self defense. So all the USAF pilots were cleared of any wrong doing. BTW, Spike Momyer was the 8th TFW CC. It so happened that the one Jim shot down was flown by a Chinese pilot, not a North Korean. Many years later when Jim was working with NDIA, he had occasion to meet with the Chinese ambassador in the Chinese embassy in Washington. This was abut 20 years after Jim had retired from the AF. When he entered the ambassadors office, he realized that the ambassador had done his homework. As part of the introductions, the ambassador mentioned that he knew of Jim and his shooting down the Chinese pilot. Jim then thought that this was going to be a tough meeting. But, after those words, the ambassador, with humor, said that their pilot was not a very good one and smiled. The meeting went well. The chapel was very well packed and attested to the respect and love for Jim among his friends and colleagues. Dave Brog, RRVFPA > His first Fighter Squadron was at Niagara Falls in F-86s but short lived as he was sent to Korea in the 8th Tac Ftr Wg and shot down the last MIG 15 on May 10th 1955 well after the Armistice was signed which brought international acclaim. > Jim soon followed his airplanes via Nellis AFB for Wild Weasel Training. He was assigned to Korat RTAFB as the Commander of the 13 TFS, which was the largest squadron in the USAF. It had 18 two seat F-105F Wild Weasels (Surface to Air Missile Killers), 18 Strike (single seat) F-105Ds and finally 18 Radar Bombing (two seat) F-105Fs that only flew at night. These were all very hazardous missions to say the least but, as Squadron Commander Jim never lost a crew, an enviable combat record of leadership and tactics. However he himself had to bail out one night on a radar-bombing mission when he had an engine problem. That night hung up in a tree was always a great story to hear but it did not deter him from getting back into the air leading his squadron in combat. During the summer of 1967 some of the fiercest fighting in the air war over Hanoi occurred and Jim was in the middle of it personally destroying 17 SAM sites (a world record). He was awarded the Air Force Cross, 3 Silver Stars and 7 Distinguished Flying Crosses plus being recognized by the Air Force Association for his Leadership and Combat Tactics. (Credit: RATNET DIGEST Newsletter of the River Rats) projects.militarytimes/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=3606
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 05:52:37 +0000
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