Jesse M. Hamby

Jesse M. Hamby was born in Holt, Alabama on May 20, 1920 to James E. and Lula Genoma Hamby. He died on May 4, 2012 in Tempe, AZ at the age of 91. Jesse attended Birmingham Southern College until the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He was one of many from the Greatest Generation who signed up to protect our freedom. He became an aviation cadet and was later commissioned a second lieutenant receiving his pilot’s wings. He was sent to Europe where he flew a B-24 Liberator. On his 9th mission his plane was shot down over German territory. He spent the next 3 months evading the German soldiers. He escaped with help from French civilians and the underground crossing the Pyrenees Mountains on foot arriving to safety in Spain. Following WWII he was stationed in Japan during part of the Allied Occupation Project where he served with the Fifth Air Force. He later attended Wayne State University and received his degree while stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino. He was a command pilot. One of his most treasured memories in his military career was in 1958 where he was the contracting officer at the Air Force Missile Test Center at Cape Canaveral at the very beginning of the space program. He was recognized for his work at the Cape with a Legion of Merit, the Air Force’s second highest peace time award. Colonel Hamby concluded his 32 year career as Commander of the Northeastern United States Department of Defense. Upon retiring he moved to Arizona where his job was being “the best family man he could be”. He leaves behind a grateful family; his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth Hamby and daughter, Jean Hamby Suico (Richard). His grandchildren; Laura Suico, Lisa Suico-Scheier (Gerald), Chad Suico and his namesake, great-granddaughter Jessica June Scheier. Services were held on May 11, 2012 at East Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jesse's name to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processes.