James R. McCarthy

Brigadier general James Russell McCarthy (3 September 1930 - 15 February 2024) was a United States Air Force (USAF) officer.

Early life and education He was born in 1930, in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

Military career He entered active duty in July 1952 as a squadron maintenance officer at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In January 1954 he graduated from pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. He then served as an instructor in nuclear physics at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from May 1954 to February 1956. While at Randolph he also had several flying assignments piloting Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, Boeing B-29 Superfortresses and Boeing B-50 Superfortresses. From June until November 1973, he was commander of the 303rd Consolidated Maintenance Wing. The 303rd was responsible for all maintenance on 150 B-52D's and B-52G's flown from Andersen Air Force Base in support of Operation Arc Light.

He died on 15 February 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Cross, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 22 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal.