27 June 2005
General
Billy M. Minter dies: commanded U.S., Allied air
forces in Europe
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bmminter.htm
Billy M. Minter, 78, a fighter pilot and four-star
general who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air
Forces in Europe, and Commander, Allied Forces
Central Europe, died June 6, 2005, of coronary
artery disease at the National Naval Medical Center
in Bethesda, Maryland.
General Minter, who lived in Warrenton, was born in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After serving in the Navy
during World War II, he attended Oklahoma University
in Norman. In 1961, he graduated from the Air
Command and Staff College and in 1968 was graduated
with distinction from the Air War College.
He received his pilot wings and commission as an
officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1949. For the next
two decades, he served as a command pilot, accruing
5,600 flying hours in jet fighters and interceptors
in assignments that reached from Johnson Air Base in
Japan to Hah Air Base in Germany. During the Vietnam
War, he flew 106 combat missions and commanded the
354th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Takhli Royal Air
Force Base, Thailand.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marion
Minter of Warrenton; five children, Mark H. Minter
of Leadville, Colorado, Stephen L. Minter of Tucson,
Arizona, Patricia Minter-Powell of Watertown, New
York, Lisa M. Minter of Southampton, Massachusetts,
and Lori J. Minter of Williamsburg, Virginia; and 11
grandchildren.
Also surviving is one brother, Robert W. Minter of
Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
A graveside service with full military honors will
be held at 9 am Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Arlington
National Cemetery.
Burial:
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington Arlington County
Virginia, USA
source of image
