Thomas S. Wiley

Colonel Thomas S. Wiley, USAF, Retired, passed away peacefully in Arlington, Virginia on September 15, 2019, at the age of 82. Tom, as all knew him, was born in Pine Grove, West Virginia in 1937 to Bert and Hazel Wiley. Tom graduated from West Virginia University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He also received a Master of Science degree in Administration from the George Washington University in 1997. Tom was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant following his graduation from West Virginia University. He received his pilot wings at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, in January of 1959. Tom’s first operational assignment was with the 509th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Clark Air Base, Philippines where he flew the F-86D and the F-102. In February 1963, Tom was assigned to the 3575th Pilot Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma where he taught new pilot students in the T-37 and subsequently the T-38. In 1965, he was assigned as an instructor pilot for the T-38 pilot instructor-training course at Randolph AFB, Texas. Tom transitioned to the F-4 at George AFB, California, and joined the Gunfighters of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in December of 1968. He flew 225 combat missions in the F-4D and F-4E, serving as an instructor pilot with the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron. After completing the Armed Forces Staff College, Tom then moved to West Germany from 1970-1974, first as the Chief of Weapons and Tactics at Headquarters, 17th Air Force, at Ramstein AB, and then as the Chief of Fighter and Reconnaissance Standardization and Evaluation for Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe at Lindsey Air Station and then Ramstein AB. From May 1974 until April 1976, Tom commanded the 91st Tactical Fighter Squadron, the “Blue Streaks”, flying the F-4D at Royal Air Force Base Bentwaters, United Kingdom. Following graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1977, Tom moved to the Pentagon where he was the Assistant Chief of the Tactical Forces Division and then the Assistant Director for Force Development on the Air Staff. In February 1979, Tom was named the Deputy Commander for Operations and subsequently Vice Wing Commander for the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, flying the F-4E. In June 1981 he was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, initially as the acting Director for Manpower and then Deputy Director of the Joint Staff J-1. In May 1984, Tom became the Vice Commander of the 314th Air Division at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, flying the F-4E. He became the Chief of Staff for 7th Air Force when it was reactivated in 1986 at Osan Air Base. Tom retired from the USAF in 1987 after a 30-year career. He was a command pilot with more than 5000 hours of flying time, including 1500 in the F-4. His military decorations and awards included the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Following his retirement from the USAF to Springfield, Virginia, Tom continued to stay active in community. He served on the Finance Committee, leading the effort to establish an Endowment Fund for the Messiah United Methodist Church in Springfield. Tom was active in the National Capitol Flight of the Order of Daedalians. He was also a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, and the Air Force Association. Tom is survived by the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Fredeane (Clark); his children, Jan Wiley Dantone, of Kingsville, Texas, and Joe Wiley of McLean, Virginia; and his grandchildren Thomas, Amelia, Joseph, Caroline and Gabrielle. His sisters Ada and Muriel preceded him in death. A memorial service for Tom was held on September 20th, 2019. The internment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for 9:00 AM on October 29th, 2020.