#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran John Byrne

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran John Byrne, who served as a pilot during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

John “Jack” Byrne was born in August 1924 in Richmond Hill, New York. He began his career with the Army Air Corps during World War II as a pilot. Afterward, Byrne served the New York Fire Department for Hook and Ladder #10 in Manhattan, New York, for five years while continuing to serve in the Air Force Reserve. He was eager to rejoin in 1951 during the Korean War.

Byrne served in the Korean War for a year and then went on to serve in the Vietnam War. He served as a pilot and director of logistics. Byrne primarily flew cargo planes; however, he also flew numerous different types of aircraft throughout his career, flying C-130s the most.

In 1955, Byrne graduated from squadron officer school, and in 1971, he graduated from Air War College with a bachelor of arts in military science. Then, Byrne earned a master of business administration and general management in 1976.

Byrne retired from the Air Force in June 1979 after nearly 31 years in both active and Reserve service.

Byrne was also a Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor for seven years.

He was also a charter member of the Air Force Association, a member of the Daedalians at Langley Air Force Base, the Virginia Retired Officers Association and the American Legion Post number 48 in Phoebus, Virginia. Additionally, Byrne served on the Special Education Advisory Committee in Hampton and the American Red Cross at Langley.

We honor his service.

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It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Contributors

Writer: John Byrne

Editor: Jacob Reis

Fact checker: Bhaavana Oruganty

Graphic artist: Chalsi Lee