Glenn Ross Alexander

Colonel Glenn Ross Alexander, USAF, (Ret.), born in Grove City, Pennsylvania in 1920 to Glenn G. and Myrna Alexander, died on April 1, 2007 in Sun City West, Arizona. He married Bertina Kelley in 1941 and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. He graduated from Pilot Training and was commissioned in November of 1943. He flew 99 combat missions in a P-47 Thunderbolt in New Guinea and the Philippines from 1944 to 1945 and continued in the USAF primarily in flying and operational assignments. His overseas tours included Guam, Japan, Korea and Germany. As a command pilot he logged over 10,000 USAF pilot hours. Military awards include: Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and numerous other awards. He was assigned to the USAF Academy as Deputy Chief Staff for Operations from 1967-1970 and was the Commander of the Prep School from 1971-1973. He was a member of MOAA, Air Force Association, Daedalians, EMGA, DAV and the Air Force Athletic Association. Col. Alexander is survived by his son Lt. Col. Jon R. (Ret.) of Florida, grandsons Major James and Major Steven; son Lt. Col. Steven R. of Colorado Springs with grand children Jeffrey and Kelly; brother Gayle Alexander of North Carolina and sisters, Lucille Meals and Jean Marsh of Florida. His wife Bertina preceded him in death as well as a son Capt. James E., who was a 1968 USAF Academy graduate who was killed in a USAF flying accident in 1972. A visitation will be from 5-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 with funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 11, 2007, both at the Shrine of Remembrance "America the Beautiful" Chapel of Roses. Burial will follow the funeral service at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial at the Academy Golf Course Clubhouse. Memorial contributions in Col. Alexander's name may be made to the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates for the Capt. James E. Alexander Memorial Fund, 3116 Academy Drive, USAFA, Colorado 80840.