General Kenneth W. North

General Kenneth Walter North (ret), 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and friends as the sun set on the last day of summer, Tuesday, September 21, 2010. Ken was born on May 29,1930 in Rockville, CT, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1953. He married his college sweetheart, Carol Louise Oglee, on December 23, 1953.

Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force as a First Lieutenant, and was awarded his pilot wings in 1954. Following pilot training , he served with the Air Defense Command at Truax Field, WI until 1956. From there he was assigned to Itazuke Air Base, Japan, as an F-100 pilot. In 1961 Ken joined the 481st Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as a flight commander and later as a squadron operations officer.

Ken was assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, in 1963 with the Command and Control Division. In 1965 the newly promoted Captain North joined the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, as an F-105 flight commander and was then transferred to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in June 1966, to be deployed to Vietnam. Captain North flew 33 combat missions over North Vietnam before he was downed by enemy fire in August 1966. From then until his release in April 1973, he was a prisoner of war in Hanoi, North Vietnam. During his captivity, he was promoted twice, first to Major, then to Lt. Colonel.

Upon Ken’s release after the war, and following his return to the United States, he entered the prestigious Naval War College in Newport, R.I, graduating in1974. He was then assigned to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as assistant director of operations. From 1976 to1978, the now full Colonel served with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, first as deputy commander for operations and then as wing vice commander.

In August 1978 Colonel North joined the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing at Torrejon Air Base in Spain, as vice commander and, in 1979, he took command of the wing. From 1981 to1982, he served as executive officer to the deputy commander in chief at Headquarters U.S. European Command, Vaihingen, Germany. While in Germany, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. General North then moved to Hancock Field, N.Y., as commander of the 21st North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and the 21st Air Division.

The General was a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in tactical fighter aircraft. His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, National Defense Superior Service Medal with Bronze Star, Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation .

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol Oglee North; daughters Cynthia North (Ray Ming), Joanne Birchall (Gary Locke), Nancy North (Robert Evans) and Amy Sloan (Fred Thomas) and six grandchildren: Ryan and Kenneth Birchall, Lindsey and Carter Sloan, and Matthew and Nicolas Ming; sister Patricia Iamonaco, and several nieces and nephews.

Besides leaving a legacy of courage, bravery and excellence in his career and to his country, General North, above all, was a truly great and much-admired man. He was an excellent husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend. He was kind and thoughtful, proud, and strong. He possessed a winning smile and had a contagious sense of humor and wit that was enjoyed by all. Ken North was loved long and loved well, and will continue to be loved and treasured in our hearts and memories forever.

Services in his honor will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Wellfleet, MA. Internment with full Military Honors to take place immediately thereafter at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Wellfleet. Concluding the celebration of his life, a reception will then be held at the Chequessett Country Club, Chequessett Neck Road, Wellfleet.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472

For online condolences, visit www.nickersonfunerals.com