John Harlan Baggaley

John H. Baggaley 1925-2026. John passed away peacefully on April 11th at the age of 101. He was born in Montreal Canada to John Baldwin Baggaley of Genoa Italy and Helen Harlan Baggaley of Baltimore, MD. He and his older sister Betty spent their younger years in a suburb of Chicago, Winnetka, Ill, where he attended New Trier High School. He loved ice hockey and was proud that he had the opportunity to play an expedition game with members of the Chicago Blackhawks. As a kid he was always interested in airplanes. WWII was ongoing when he turned 18, so he registered for the draft and volunteered for the Aviation Cadet Program. A month before his high school graduation he was called up, and went into the US Army Air Corps. Basic training for John consisted of learning to fly in a PT-17 Stearman bi-plane, followed by advanced training in the BT-13 and AT-10. He was commissioned as a Flight Officer and became the Aircraft Commander in a B-17, the Flying Fortress, at 19 years old. WWII in Europe was winding down, so he was sent to the Pacific theater where he flew a B-29. During his military career he won a Purple Heart, The Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, WWII Victory Medal and several others. He and his crew participated in the “Show of Force” when the Japanese surrendered aboard the USS Missouri. But he thought his greatest accomplishment was when he and his crew flew missions to drop food to our starving POW’s who were no longer prisoners but still trapped. He saw them jumping with joy as supplies were dropped from the air.

After the Pacific War ended, he went back to civilian life but maintained his status in the inactive reserve. When the Korean War started, he was recalled to fly B-29s where he and his crew flew 35 missions.

In December of 1951 while John was returning home for his father’s funeral, he had a lucky encounter at the Jacksonville Airport lunch counter. He met a Delta flight attendant, Nadine Belton, who turned out to be the love of his life. They were married for 73 years and had 2 daughters Susannah and Elizabeth. John continued his military career flying B-36s and B-52s as a Command Pilot for the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. He retired in 1967 with 24 years in the Air Force after completing his final assignment flying a RC-47 (DC-3) in Vietnam.

But he was not done yet, after moving to Seattle he started a new career as a commercial leasing agent. While living in Seattle he was one of 153 people who named the Seattle Seahawks and was very proud of this accomplishment. His second retirement came in 1992 when he and Nadine moved to Peoria, AZ. Following their move to Arizona they re-

started an old hobby of playing golf. John was a member of their Golf Club’s board of directors, and he started a Directors Cup Tournament that is still being played today.

His love of flying and of airplanes continued with many visits to Luke Air Base to watch the jets make their touch and go’s. He also loved educating young people about WWII which he did at the WWII Memorial in Washington DC during his Veterans Honor Flight in 2018.

When asked, John attributed his long life to his daily martini made with cheap gin. He will be remembered as a loving husband and father, his love of the military (Air Force), and his dedication to his country. He was a true American Hero and Patriot.

John was preceded in death by his wife Nadine and his older sister Elizabeth Maher.

He is survived by his daughters Susannah (David) Coleman and Elizabeth Baggaley (Troy Barnett).

His ashes will be placed alongside his beloved wife Nadine at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord

Will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

They will run and not grow tired;

They will walk and not be weary.