KERBY

MICHAEL CHARLES KERBY

Michael "Mike" Charles Kerby passed away of natural causes, on November 23, 2022, age 85. He is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Joan Claire Niessen and his brother, Robert Lee Kerby.

Mike was born in 1937, in New York City, to Robert Judge Kerby and Sarah Skehan Kerby.

He attended Georgetown University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics in 1958, and was a distinguished graduate of Air Force ROTC while finding time to win the Straight Pool championship. He met Joan, marrying her after graduation, and attending graduate classes at Columbia University in 1959. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1979.

Mike retired from the Air Force as a Major General in 1991, following 31 years of distinguished service. After completing advanced fighter and weapons delivery training in F-100s at Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, and Nellis AFB, Nevada, Mike was assigned to the 417th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as an F-100 pilot. In 1965, he was assigned as an F-100 Flight Commander with the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, Louisiana. In 1966, he deployed with the squadron to Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. He flew over 350 combat hours in Southeast Asia, and over his career, logged over 4,000 hours in fighter aircraft, including F-100s, A-1Hs, F-4Es, F-5s, F-111s, F-15s and F-16s.

He served in several leadership positions in the Air Force including Vice Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Director, Air Force Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon, Commander of the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada, which included the Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Red Flag, fighter weapons test, evaluation and tactics development, adversary threat training, the Aggressors, and the Thunderbirds; Operations Officer for the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, Commander of the 335th Tactical Fighter Squadron and as Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations with the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, Vice Commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, and Commander of the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB. He was an Instructor Pilot at the Air Force Fighter Weapons School at Nellis AFB, before flying Solo pilot for the Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, first in the F-100 then in the F-4E Phantom.

His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal with gold wings, and Republic of Vietnam Air Service Medal.

After his retirement from the Air Force, he continued his career as Vice President of Washington Operations for Grumman Corporation and as Vice President of Washington Operations for the Raytheon Company.

He is survived by his second wife, Ann; his son, Mike Jr. and daughter-in-law Jill; daughter Kathy and son-in-law Tom; and son Kevin and daughter-in-law Lisa; and his grandchildren Lauren, Michael III, Claire, Ryan and Hannah.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel followed by interment with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to Capital Caring Hospice, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042 or at www.capitalcaring.org.

Online guestbook is available at

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Published by The Washington Post on Dec. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Kerby

3 Entries

Allan Loucks

May 16, 2023

One of the nicest men I´ve ever had the privilege, it was then-Colonel Kerby and his son, Mike, introduced me (a 12-year-old kid) to the game of golf at Seymour-Johnson AFB in North Carolina somewhere around 1975. Because of them introducing me to the game, it became a passion through high school, college, and into my own Air Force career. I still love the game, and I give credit to that wonderful man and his son for introducing me to the game.

Allan Loucks, Psy.D.
Sacramento

Col. Mark "Martin" Baker, Williamsburg VA

December 9, 2022

Dear Kerby Family,
Colonel Mike Kerby took command of the 474th TFW shortly after we had transitioned to the F-16A in 1981. You could hang any number of superlatives on him and be spot-on, but the one he´d probably like best is a "fighter pilot´s pilot." He was the ideal role model for a wing full of hotshots who had hit the big time with early Vipers. I was fortunate enough to fly a few sorties with him and witness his skills firsthand. He left the 474th early to command the 57th FWW and resurrect the Thunderbirds in the F-16. He made a world of difference wherever he went and with whoever he touched. May your cherished memories console you in your loss. Godspeed, sir, on your final flight.

Captain Francis J. "Bud" Dougherty (USN Ret.)

December 4, 2022

Dear Ann and Family
Mike was a wonderful gentleman and good friend. We shared common experiences he in the USAF and me in the Navy. Sad to know he has passed, nothing but great memories of him and his service to our country.
All the best with my prayers,
Bud Dougherty

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