JOHN WILLIAM ARMSTRONG was born 5 December 1926 and grew up in Garland, Texas at that time a small farming suburb of Dallas. During his youth hardly anyone knew that his first name was John; he was always known as Bill. Not until his Academy days did he acquire such names as Jack or appropriately, Army. From time to time he was reminded of the radio serial popular in the 1930's "Jack Armstrong, the All American Boy." but he denied any kinship with that folk hero.

Always a good youngster and student, Bill blossomed in his high school years to become exceptional. He was a standout at every aspect of teenage life in the early 1940's. He was a social, academic and sports leader. He graduated as valedictorian of his 1944 Garland High School class. He had been class president, captain of the bi-district championship football team and editor of the school yearbook. He won the school leadership award and was elected most popular boy. He participated in every team sport offered and lettered in them all. Upon graduation, he won a scholarship to Southern Methodist University. Bill always had roots in Garland, and he was remembered there. In 1988 a public park in the city was named in his honor.

It was during his year at SMU that he became interested in West Point, and, as a result of competing for a congressional appointment, he was admitted to West Point in July 1945. Bill's success continued at the Academy. In this broader setting, he again met every challenge, always with good humor and an engaging openness. He graduated 16th in his class of 574, participated in both intramural and varsity athletics, and was a cadet captain. Always busy, he was seldom too busy to pursue the fair sex. He maintained an exceptionally high level of physical fitness, which he continued throughout his life, also becoming an avid golfer. At graduation, Bill chose the Air Force and pilot training. After getting his pilot's wings in 1950, he began his career as a fighter pilot. His initial assignment was to fly F-84's, then a new fighter in the Strategic Air Command. In December 1950, from its Texas base, Bill's unit moved to Korea to fly in combat. Although the standard tour length was 100 missions, Bill flew 127 before returning to the United States. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and other combat decorations.

When his tour in Texas ended, he had another fighter assignment at Bangor, Maine. From there Bill returned to West Point for four years as an instructor in the Military Psychology and Leadership Department.

Then he was transferred to the USAF, Europe as a fighter pilot. During this tour he was selected to lead the Skyblazers, the USAF Europe's aerial demonstration team, comparable to the Thunderbirds in the United States. He also met and married Margarete Burch. They moved to the US in 1961. He was assigned to an Atlas missile wing at Altus AFB, Oklahoma as crew member and supervisor during the early ICBM buildup. This was for Bill a different type duty, one that he enjoyed far less than flying. He was pleased to be selected to attend USC in 1965, where he earned an MBA with high marks. While there, Bill and Margarete adopted a son, Thomas. His next assignment was to DaNang Air Base, RVN as a squadron commander and F-4 pilot. While on a night combat mission on 9 November 1967, Bill's aircraft was seen to explode in mid-air. His body was never recovered. He was declared dead in 1974.

We will never know what success later life might have brought, but his loss at mid-life was great - to his family, his friends, the Air Force and the Country. He was an exceptional person, gifted and talented, one who applied himself diligently to every task undertaken. He had a zest for life that was contagious; his unfailing good spirit and optimism attracted people. To know him was to like him. There was no vanity in him. He was genuine, open and unselfish. He was, in many respects, "Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy."

DHP and GWS

Personal Eulogy