John P. Condon

John Pomeroy Condon (December 20, 1911 – December 26, 1996) was a highly decorated aviator in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. He distinguished himself successively during World War II and Korea and completed his career as commanding general, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in October 1962.

During World War II, he was instrumental in the planning of Operation Vengeance, the American military operation to kill Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto of the Imperial Japanese Navy on April 18, 1943.

Early career

John P. Condon was born on December 20, 1911, in Hancock, Michigan, the son of John Chassell Condon and Louise Richards Pomeroy. He graduated from the Houghton High School and subsequently enrolled at Severn Preparatory school, a preparatory school for the Naval Academy, where he spent one year, before he was admitted to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in June 1930.

In July 1949, Condon was promoted to colonel and ordered to the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, where he completed the senior course in June 1950. He was subsequently sent to Washington, D.C., and attached to the Office of the Secretary of Defense under George Marshall as a member of the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group.