A grandson of a Gettysburg union soldier and descended from 7 Revolutionary War Patriots, John was born on Armistice Day, 11Nov1925, and died the day after Veteran's Day, 12Nov2018. Maj. John M. Buslinger, Jr. (USAFR), passed away, at peace, at William Childs Hospice House, Palm Bay, Florida after a brief illness at age 93. He is survive by his only sibling, brother Bill Buslinger of Miami, 4 nephews and nieces, and 9 great and 6 great, great, nephews and nieces. He was a native of Cleveland, TN and grew up in Miami, Florida.
Selected for the Army Specialized Training Program in WWII, he attended North Carolina State, School of Engineering, until 1944, when he was transferred to active service. He graduated gunnery school and then served as a B-24 tail gunner and squadron photographer. He flew over 30 combat missions in the Pacific theatre in the 64th Squadron, "The South Sea Scalpers," 43 Bombardment Group, of the 5th Air Force, "Ken's Men." His final two missions we're on 6Aug and 9Aug1945 over USA, Japan. Upon return from these missions, the 64th, became eye witnesses of the destructive forces of "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Returning home, he graduated from University of Florida in 1951 where he received his degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for the US Air Force at Griffiss AFB, near Rome New York, until his retirement in 1982 directing the development of defensive air systems for NATO, allied, and US interests around the world.
He retired to Palm Bay, Florida and was a generous and kind gentleman and supported many local charities. He was also a member of the Happy Lions Club.
His family and friends are eternally grateful for his combat service to liberate the world and to his civilian service to protect the skies that canopy our free and sovereign nation.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, Amen"
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