James Hey
March 15, 1916 — December 21, 2009
James M. Vande Hey, born in Maribel, Wisconsin on March 15, 1916, completed his journey to the Lord and his love , Jean on January 2, 2010. Devoted to God, family and country, his legacies are found in his children and in those whose lives he significantly touched. The third oldest of nine, Jims independent spirit flourished when he answered the nations call to duty, enlisting in the Army in 1939. Completing his aircraft mechanic certification, he applied for, and received, his appointment as a flying cadet in the Army Air Corps. On October 31, 1941, Cadet Vande Hey was commissioned a second lieutenant, earned his pilot wings, and became engaged to Jean Schilleman of Antigo, Wisconsin. With orders to the 15th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, then Lieutenant Vande Hey boarded ship in San Francisco unaware that within three weeks after arriving he, along with thousands of others, would become embroiled in the fight for their lives as the Japanese struck the Hawaiian Islands on December 7, 1941. For Lieutenant Vande Hey, it was only the beginning of a long and tough campaign. But for a brief furlough to the States in June 1944, at which time he married Jean, Jim spent over four years in combat across the Pacific " Midway Island, the Canton and Baker Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Gilbert Islands, Guam, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. While flying the P-40, P-47, P-70 and P-51 fighters, he served as a flight commander and squadron operations officer in the 45th Fighter Squadron, and commanded the 78th Fighter Squadron, known as the Bushmasters. He flew 262 combat missions, amassed 615 combat hours, and destroyed four enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat. On April 7, 1945, he culminated his tour in the Pacific by leading the first fighter squadron over Tokyo while escorting B-29 bombers. Through his dedication, commitment and leadership throughout the War, Officer Vande Hey twice earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, was awarded the Bronze Star, and received the Air Medal four times. From 1945 to 1952, Jim served at Mitchell Field, New York, and Madison, Wisconsin where he pursued undergraduate studies and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Later, he served in the Pentagon, including an operations assignment during the Korean War and was promoted to colonel. From 1952-1955 he served as Air Attach in the American Embassy in Manila, Philippines, followed by assignment to Maxwell Air Force Base as a student at the Air War College and later as an instructor and Dean of Faculty until July 1961. After command assignments at Fort Lee, Virginia, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Colonel Vande Hey was promoted to brigadier general. Returning to the States in July 1967, he became the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He finished his career with a 24-month tour as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. On May 1, 1971, General Vande Hey retired from active duty, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal for his dedicated service to his country for thirty-one and a half years. Jim and Jean retired to Lakeway, Texas, where he became successful in real estate, developing two well-known residential subdivisions. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, William and Anna Vande Hey, and his siblings, Clarence, Lillian, Sister James Michael, William, Raymond, and Edward. Jim is survived by sons Todd and his wife Patti, Dale and his wife JoAnne, and Dean and his wife Melanie, grandchildren Jillian, Kaley, Jaime, Lindsey, Allison, Summer and Patrick and Jaime, great-grandchildren Isabella, Rebecca and Brianne, and his sisters Jayne Teske and Betty Stake. As we live our lives, we will always remember Dad as a remarkable parent, patriot and man who, with great humility, truly epitomized the men of the greatest generation . In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in memory of James M. Vande Hey to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity, Attn: Sister Martin, 2409 South Alverno Road, Manitowac, WI 54220-9320.
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