James Thornton Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 8, 2013.

James "Jim" Henry Thornton was born September 21, 1921 in Akron, Ohio. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces for pilot training. He received his silver wings as a pilot and was later assigned to New Guinea and the Philippines. Prior to joining his combat unit, he was selected for a special assignment establishing the Pilot Replacement Training Center in Nadzab, NG. One morning on the flight line, he was introduced to Charles A. Lindberg, who was there as an advisor to Lockheed Aircraft. Jim always said, "I never had many heroes, but Lindbergh was one of them. I didn't wash my right hand for a week." Jim flew 38 combat missions and participated in six battles in the Southwest Pacific and his group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He returned to civilian life and with assistance from the GI Bill, he received his BS degree in 1948 from the University of Akron. He kept active in the Air Force reserves and was recalled to active duty in January 1951. He applied for and received his appointment to the Regular Air Force in 1952. That same year, he was selected by the Air Force to attend the Harvard Business School, where he received his MBA in 1954. He was then assigned to the first study group in the Air Force to determine the best use of computers for improved logistics management. This was followed by assignment to Tinker AFB, Oklahoma as Chief of the computer data processing center. He later was assigned to the Embassy in Rome, Italy. During this time, his duty station was Chief of the Air Force Office in Naples, Italy, at an Italian Aircraft Company that had received a contract to upgrade Air Force jet fighters. He later was assigned to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming as Chief of Contract Management for the installation of the Atlas ICBM weapon system. The Commander of the Air Force Plant Office at Astronautics, in San Diego, was in need of an officer with site activation experience. Jim was assigned to that office from 1959 to 1963. He was later selected to attend the Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama and then to the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C. as Chief of the Weapon Systems Procurement and Pricing Branch. At the conclusion of this assignment, Jim was awarded his first Legion of Merit. He was later assigned as Air Force Plant Representative at Lockheed Systems and later North American Rockwell in California. His last assignment was Commander of the Defense Contract Region in Detroit, Michigan responsible for Defense Department contracts in Michigan and Canada. Jim, a Command Pilot, retired as a Colonel in 1975. His awards included two Legion of Merits, two Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals and other US and Philippine awards. Jim was a life member of the Order of Daedalians (a Fraternity of military pilots), the Disabled American Veterans, the Order of Masons, and a supporter of the San Diego Aerospace Museum. Jim passed away peacefully with his loved ones present on May 8, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marcelle Picard Thornton, one son, James Jr., one granddaughter, Rachelle Seigrest, two great-grandaughters, Raven & Savannah, stepdaughter Therese Thomann-Gardiser and stepson Richard Todd Thomann. A memorial will be held at El Camino Memorial Park on Wednesday, May 15th from 12pm to 1pm, 9600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego 92121. Immediately following the memorial, a guided procession will travel to Miramar National Cemetary for Interment with Military Honors at 1:30pm-2pm. There will be a shaded pavillion to view from at this location. His family invites all to attend and please arrive early. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, 9655 Granite Ridge Dr., Ste 200, San Diego, CA 92123 or the Disabled American Veterans, P O Box 145447, Cincinnati, OH 45250-5447. Please sign the guest book online at obituaries.utsandiego.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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