MCCOY JAMES D

2LT James "J.D." D. McCoy was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/14/2022 at the age of 75.7
Benton, LA
Flight Class 70-32
Date of Birth 02/03/1947
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/158 AVN 101 ABN in 70
Call sign in Vietnam GHOST RIDER 26
This information was provided by Daughter Amanda McCoy

More detail on this person: Col. James D. McCoy, 75, passed away peacefully at home in Benton, LA on October 14, 2022. Born February 3, 1947 in Van Wert, OH to Opal (Snyder) and James Byron McCoy, Jim attended Lincolnview High (1965) and Bowling Green State University (1969), where he earned his commission in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. In 1995, he attended the military's Air War College. Upon receipt of his ROTC commission, Jim continued his military career serving in the US Army 101st Airborne Division as a combat assault helicopter pilot, including a tour in Vietnam. Following release from active duty in 1972, he joined the Ohio Air National Guard, where he flew F-100 aircraft from 1974-75. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1976, becoming an Air Reserve Technician in 1979. Throughout his distinguished career, Colonel McCoy served as an active duty Command Pilot, completing 7,000+ flying hours which included 4,000+ fighter aircraft hours and 630 combat hours in the Republic of Vietnam and in Bosnia-Herzegovina, as part of NATO coalition forces. Aircraft flown throughout his career included the UH-1H helicopter, F-100, A-37, B-52, and his beloved A-10, which he flew for the majority of his flight career. In addition to his flight experience, Colonel McCoy served in multiple leadership roles and as flight instructor on numerous aircraft. He served as Director of Operations for the 926th Tactical Fighter Group, Naval Air Station New Orleans, LA; Commander of the 46th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, LA; and as Commander of the 93rd Bomb Squadron, also at Barksdale AFB. In 1999, he retired with the rank of Colonel, having received numerous Army and Air Force awards and decorations for esteemed service to the nation. Throughout life, Jim maintained a strong connection and devotion to Van Wert and to his family's long farming tradition. He was strong, courageous, and an avid reader with a brilliant analytical mind and love of history. He was a skilled outdoorsman who loved nature, foreign travel and dogs. Jim is survived by wife of 36 years Deborah (Hinz) McCoy of Benton, LA, daughter Amanda McCoy of Cleveland, sister Judith McCoy Vadney of Roswell, GA, stepdaughter Amy Adams of Colorado, stepson Aaron Dean of Texas, and step-grandchildren Chase, Breanna, Taylor, Brooke, Blake, and Mykel. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Brian Jesse with former wife LaNita (Wortman) McCoy, brother Bruce, and stepson Christian Dean. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held Sat., Nov. 5, 2022 at Van Wert VFW Post #5803 (111 North Shannon St., Van Wert). The family will greet guests from 12:30-3:00pm, with a program and remarks at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations honoring his life to be made to Van Wert VFW Post #5803 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

This information was last updated 06/02/2023

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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024


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