Harry C. Bayne

1921 - 2017

April 21, 1921 - August 18, 2017
Brigadier General Harry C. Bayne, USAF Retired, age 96, completed his final flight on August 18, 2017. Gen. Bayne, truly a member of the "Greatest Generation," retired in 1971 after serving 30 distinguished years in the military. He chose to retire in San Antonio and started a new career which specialized in financial planning, tax preparation and insurance which he operated until 2001.

Gen. Bayne was born in Collingswood, NJ on April 21, 1921. He attended the Wharton School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Omaha and received his BBA from NW Missouri State University. In 1941, at age 20, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He attended flight school at Maxwell AFB, AL and graduated as one of the "first flying sergeants" of WWII. In October 1942, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He was immediately assigned to Air Transport Command where he ferried all types of aircraft from factories in the US to combat units worldwide. In 1944, he was transferred to the China-Burma theatre where, as a "Hump" pilot, he flew more than 60 combat missions over the dangerous Himalayan Mountains.

Following WWII, Gen. Bayne served as Command Auditor at Headquarters Air Training Command. In 1952, he began a series of assignments in Strategic Air Command, first as an aircraft commander in B-29s with the 9th Bombardment Wing, then as a select crew commander of B-47s with the 303rd Bombardment Wing, then became the Director of Operations. In 1959, he was transferred to SAC Headquarters, Offutt AFB, NE where he served as Chief, War Plans Section. From 1963-1965, Gen. Bayne served as Commander of two air bases in England, RAF Greenham Common and Brize Norton. In 1966, he was commander of the air base, Torrejon in Madrid, Spain. Upon his return from Europe, he was stationed at The Pentagon where he served as Chief, European Division, Joint Chiefs of Staff. His final assignment in 1971 was as Divisional Commander, 45th Air Division, Loring AFB, Maine.

Gen. Bayne was a Command Pilot with more than 7,600 hours of flying time, 600 hour which involved combat. He was pilot-qualified in 23 different aircraft from single engine to eight engines. He had more the 5,000 hours flying time in jet aircraft alone. His military decorations included the Legion of Merit w/2 oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal w/oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/4 service stars; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal w/service star; Army Good Conduct Medal; USAF Combat Readiness Medal; U.S. Vietnam Service Medal; and the Air Force Longevity Service Award w/5 oak leaf clusters. Gen. Bayne was a man of great intellect and integrity who was dedicated to the USAF and the national security of our country.

Harry was a devoted Christian husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Harry was a member of Cornerstone Church for over 30 years. He seldom missed a WWII reunion, enjoyed a good game of golf, and loved to travel, especially cruising worldwide. Harry enjoyed swimming, loved to dance and most of all spending time with family and friends. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians, the Wings Society, the Hump Pilots Association, the 303rd Bombardment Wing Association and the Sgt. Pilots Association. Throughout his life he remained completely devoted to God, Country, Family and Friends.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mildred Bayne; his parents-in-law, Glen and Espy Travis; his first wife of 59 years, Melba Travis Bayne; his sister, Ruth Wolf; his brother, Rev. Raymond Bayne; and his brother-in-law, Wayne Travis. He is survived by his loving wife, Lou Ann Bayne; his son, Harry G. Bayne (Patsy) of Dallas, TX and his daughter, Linda Turnbough (Dennis); his adoring grandchildren, Seth Turnbough of Chicago, IL, Amber Muenchow (Jeff), Shelby Rothrock (Jim), Brett Bayne (Laura) of Blythewood, SC and Blake Bayne of Dallas, TX. He is survived by loving great-grandchildren, Reagan and Brady Muenchow, Caden Turnbough, Ally, Paul and Cole Rothrock, Molly Joann and Lucy Bayne of Blythewood, SC.
He is survived by step- children, Becky Kulesza (Bill), Janet Acosta (Carlos) of The Woodlands, TX and Joan Woods (Bryan) and step-grandchildren, Michael Kulesza (Stacey) of Manhattan, KS, Mark Acosta (Stephanie) of The Woodlands, TX, Ashley Acosta of Dallas, TX, Justin Trevino of Ft. Worth, TX, Drake Woods and Jacqueline Gomez (Danny) of Austin; great-granddaughter, Francesca; and his sister-in-law, LaDonna Travis. And sadly, not enough space to list all his dear nieces and nephews.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who have shown our family so much love: The Legacy at Forest Ridge in Schertz, TX and Alamo and Hope Hospice. We would also like to thank our special angel, Delores Gallegos, for her perpetual friendship and compassionate care for us throughout this journey.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 East. Service honoring Gen. Bayne's life will be on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Cornerstone Church, 18755 Stone Oak Parkway, with Rev. Dr. John Hagee officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 12672 Silicon Dr., #105, San Antonio, TX 78249,
www.woundedwarriorproject.
org or to the Alzheimer's Association, 10223 McAllister Freeway #100, San Antonio, TX 78216, www.alz.org.

You are invited to sign
the Guestbook at
www.porterloring.com

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