John J.W. Oberg

OBERG JOHN J.W. OBERG Colonel, USAF (Ret.) Died December 30, 2009, at his residence in Gainesville, FL. Col. Oberg was born February 16, 1919 in Washington, DC, to Hugo and Julia Oberg. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1937 and attended Boston College and Catholic University prior to WWII. Drafted into the Army in June 1941, he transferred to and was commissioned in the Army Air Corps. He flew C-47"s with the 313th Air Transport Squadron in Europe including medevac flights from the D-Day beachhead during the invasion of Normandy. vAfter the war, he transferred to the newly-created US Air Force and completed his education graduating with a degree in International Relations from Georgetown University. Moving into planning and Intelligence roles, he commanded an AF Security Service station in Formosa in 1955-56 and then moved to the Air Force Staff at the Pentagon. In 1960, he transferred to SAC serving at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE, and then CINPAC HQ, Camp Smith, Honolulu, HI. In 1966, he returned to the Pentagon first with the AF Staff and then with the DIA. In 1971, he was appointed Commandant of the Armed Forces Air Intelligence Training Center, Lowry AFB, Denver, CO, and retired from that position in 1974 as a Colonel. His commendations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal. He married Mary Louise Borger of Washington, DC, in 1947 and together they raised, Chris (Carol) of Bowie, MD, Marti of Tarpon Springs, FL, Julia Murray (Jim) of Crestview, FL and Jim (Deborah) of Coarsegold, CA. There are five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Col. and Mrs. Oberg moved to Gainesville in late 1978. In retirement, he continued to fly with his own aircraft and privately earned commercial and instructor ratings. He also flew "Angel" flights transporting medical personnel to locations where they were needed in emergencies. Col. and Mrs. Oberg also traveled widely. He continued his passion for golf and played wherever and whenever he could including annual trips to Scotland. He was a long-time member and a champion of Columbia Country Club, Chevy Chase, MD, and a member, director, and president of the Gainesville Country Club. He eventually earned a handicap of 2, four holes-in-one, and shot his age at 77 and 80. A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Gainesville January 5, 2010. Inurnment will take place in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2010. A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Gainesville January 5, 2010. Inurnment will take place in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 6, 2010.