WWCD1

Col. John William Jackson

Born July 5, 1921 in East St. Louis, IL, died December 1, 2009 in Yuba City, CA of pneumonia. 88 years of age and a proud member of the Greatest Generation, "Bill" Jackson was assigned to the 95th Bomb Squadron in the 8th Air Force in 1943. Co-piloting B-17s in WWII, he completed 35 bombing missions over Germany and participated in the air assault on D-Day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the Eastern Theater of Operations Medal with 4 battle stars. He continued his Air Force career as an Aircraft Commander in B-52 bombers in the Vietnam conflict, flying in numerous Arc Light missions. He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Thelma of Yuba City; daughter Jean Henningsen and husband Ken of Minnesota; daughter Gerry Larrea and husband John of Fair Oaks; grandchildren Eric Henningsen and Ingrid Soderberg of Minnesota; grandson Ian Larrea of Fair Oaks and 3 great- grandchildren.Bill dedicated his life to the U.S Air Force for 28 years, retiring in 1970, with over 7100 hours of flying time. At his request, no services will be held. Any remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, The Air Force Association or The Castle Air Museum.

Lothar Thomas Maier

August 30, 1932 - December 1, 2011

Lothar "Nick" Maier was born in Buffalo, NY on August 30, 1932. He was educated in Buffalo, NY schools and attended Buffalo State Teachers College where he was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. In 1977 he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from McMurry University in Abilene, TX. He entered pilot training with aviation cadet class 55-M, January 1954, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, April 1955. He was assigned to B-47's at Smokey Hill Air Force Base, Kansas, His crew was the first to be assigned to B-52 upgrade training at Castle Air Force Base, California in 1956. Nick was a B-52 Aircraft Commander flying the B through G model aircraft. He received a SAC crew of the month award for saving a B-52 in 1967. Nick was selected to be a pilot for the SR-71 (First Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron) at Beale Air Force Base,California, in 1967. Served one B-52 Arc Light Tour in 1969 with 70 combat missions and was 8th Air Force Command Post Senior Controller at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, during linebacker II in1972. He was awarded the Bronze Star, 3 Air Medals, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals and the Cold War Medal. Retiring as a Major in 1977, he worked 16 years in travel industry management. His writings have been published in several military and travel related periodicals. He enjoyed reading, traveling the world and especially being part of the group of volunteers at the History of Aviation Collection at UTD.

Nick is survived by his wife Mary Beth of Plano, his son Robert and daughter-in-law Debra of Duncanville. Sister Marilyn Pickard of Buffalo, NY, brother Eric Maier of Williamsville, NY and Lance Maier of Boston, MA. and niece Cindy Mendonca of Buffalo, NY. Preceded in death by his father and mother, Lothar and Ida Maier, brother Lief, sister Karla and his son Curtis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice.

John Davis Mize

BELMOND, IOWA | John Davis Mize, 73, formerly of Rapid City, SD, and a native of Shreveport, LA, died, Friday, June 15, 2012, at the Belmond Medical Center following a battle with cancer.

John D. Mize, the son of John and Louila (Morgan) Mize, was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Shreveport. He graduated from Fair Park High School, Shreveport. He received his B.S. in Business from Lousiana State University-Natchitoches and Master's Degree in Public Administration from Golden State University, San Francisco, CA.

John was united in marriage on March 14, 1964 to Joan Lee Edwards in Fort Dodge. They were blessed with two children, a son, Arthur Thomas and a daughter, Laura Elizabeth.

John served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. His military career began during the Vietnam War era in New Orleans on Sept. 28, 1962 and continued until he was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Major on July 31, 1984, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD. John was a B-52 Bomber pilot during the war and successfully flew nearly 300 missions in the combat areas. John and his crew's amazing story was featured in Air Force Magazine in an article titled "The Seventh Man." Among his many decorations are the Air Force Cross (the first Strategic Air Command person so honored), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 15 Clusters, and the Purple Heart.

Following his retirement from the military, John was an agent with Principal Life Insurance Co. in Rapid City, a B-52 flight simulator instructor at Wurtsmith AFB, Oscoda, MI, and also worked at Eaton Corp. in Belmond for 10 years prior to retiring.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Joan Mize, Belmond; son, Arthur Mize, Ferndale, MI; daughter, Laura Mize and granddaughter, Avery Mize, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; sister, Sandra (Don) Dunivan, Shreveport; and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3rd Ave. NE, with Carolyn Pflibsen, AIM officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Offutt Air Force Base Military Honor Guard will be at Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at Andrews Funeral Home, 516 1st St. SE, and continues one hour before services at the church.

Memorials are suggested in John's name to Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond Medical Center, ELCA World Hunger, charity of choice , or to the family % Joan Mize,120 Sunset Drive, Belmond, IA 50421.

Andrews Funeral Home 641-444-4474.

Published in Rapid City Journal on June 19, 2012