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Sgt Duane Kimbrow (Skip)
to remember
O'Malley, Jerome Francis, Gen.
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Contact Info
Home Town Carbondale, PA
Last Address Carbondale
Date of Passing Apr 20, 1985
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
General Jerome F. O'Malley served as a United States Air Force four-star general. He had served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF) from 1982 to 1983; Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces (CINCPACAF) from 1983 to 1984; and Commander, Tactical Air Command (COMTAC) from 1984 to 1985.
He died in an airplane crash while still in office on 20 April 1985 with his wife, Diane, and three crewmen. The small two engine military CT-39A Sabreliner (# 62-4496) they were in experienced brake failure at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport. The aircraft overran the runway, went down a 125 feet embankment, and caught fire.
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A detailed Obituary can be found at:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6620028
Aircraft/Missile Information
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS RF-4C PHANTOM II McDonnell Douglas RF-4C
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In the early 1960s, the USAF recognized the need for more tactical reconnaissance aircraft to reinforce the RF-101s then in service. The USAF chose a modification of the F-4C fighter. The RF-4C development program began in 1962, and the first production aircraft made its initial flight on May 18, 1964. The Air Force officially accepted a total of 499 RF-4Cs.
The RF-4C can carry a variety of cameras in three different stations in its nose section. It could take photos at both high and low altitude, day or night. The RF-4C carried no offensive armament, although during the last few years of its service some were fitted with four AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for defense.
The 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron became the first operational unit to fly the RF-4C. In October 1965 that unit deployed to Southeast Asia to provide photographic reconnaissance of the growing conflict in South Vietnam. In the following years, RF-4Cs flew reconnaissance missions around the world, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Iraq in 1990-1991. The Air Force retired all of its RF-4Cs by 1985.
The RF-4C on display was delivered to the USAF on Sept. 9, 1965. It served in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Europe, Cuba and the Middle East. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm, this aircraft flew a total of 172 missions, more than any other F-4 aircraft. When flown to the museum in May 1994, it had more than 7,300 hours of flying time.