TFH 6/6: Major John R. Bode, USAF

John R. Bode was born on September 16, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 22, 1952 and was accepted into the Air Force's aviation cadet program two years later for flight training. Bode received his pilot's wings and an officer's commission on June 1, 1955.

In 1969, then Major Bode was serving as a forward air controller with the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron attached to and supporting the United States Army's 25th Infantry Division. On June 5th to 7th of that year, Bode flew six air control missions in support of the 25th Division's 1st Brigade who was engaged in intense fighting. His skill and courage as an airman at extreme risk to himself saw him decorated with the Air Force's second-highest award for valor: the Air Force Cross.


From Military Times' Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel [then Major] John R. Bode (AFSN: 0-17355487), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller and Air Liaison Officer with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (U.S. Army), at Fire Support Base Crook, Republic of Vietnam, from 5 June 1969 to 7 June 1969. During that period, Major Bode planned, directed, and controlled the employment of all the combined Air Force and Army tactical air assets in the decisive defeat of a numerically superior ground force. Displaying exceptional gallantry under intense and sustained hostile ground fire and unparalleled devotion to duty, Major Bode flew six missions and more than 17 hours at tree-top level under overcast ceilings of less than 1,000 feet, both day and night. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Major Bode reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Bode retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1974 with the rank of Colonel. In addition to his Air Force Cross, throughout his career he also received the Legion of Merit and three Distinguished Flying Crosses. I believe him to still be living.