News>Air Force senior leaders reflect on founding Air Commando
Photos
Retired Maj. Gen. John Alison (left), the deputy commander of the 1st Air Commando Group in 1943, is greeted by Maj. Brian Strang (right), of Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, after the general's presentation May 6, 2008, at the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jason Epley)
6/7/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The former deputy commander of the 1st Air Commando Group died June 6.
Retired Maj. Gen. John Alison was 98 years old and is survived by his wife Penni and son David.
"General Alison was a superb Airman and an Air Force legend," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "As a highly decorated World War II combat ace, veteran of the Korean War and father of Air Force Special Operations, General Alison paved the way for hundreds of thousands of warrior Airmen who followed in his footsteps. The incredible life he led remains a source of tremendous inspiration, and we are grateful for his enduring legacy of leadership, service and patriotism. On behalf of the men and women of the U.S. Air Force, we express our deepest sympathies to General Alison's wife, Penni, and to his family and friends."
Before helping to establish the 1st ACG, General Alison was a decorated fighter pilot. He was an ace with six confirmed aerial victories during World War II and continued to mentor AFSOC's Air Commandos well beyond his time in service.
His dedication to the Air Force and Special Operations earned him several accolades. In 1994, he was inducted to the Air Commando Hall of Fame, and he was selected to speak for the Air Command and Staff College's "Gathering of Eagles" in 1985, 2004 and 2009. Also in 2005, he was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and most recently was the first inductee into the U.S. Special Operations Command's Commando Hall of Honor in October 2010.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz recounted General Alison's contributions to the Air Force and nation.
"From his combat daring in World War II as a P-40 Warhawk pilot and a leader of the 1st ACG, to his extraordinary public service after the war, our nation owes General Alison a huge debt of gratitude," General Schwartz said. "While we mourn his passing, we can all take solace in the fact that his heroic service and sacrifice during the Second World War and afterward endures in today's special operations forces and the Air Force Association, which may well be his greatest legacy."
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy noted General Alison's pioneering role in special operations.
"It is with deep sadness and respect that we mark the passing of one of the Air Force's first Air Commandos," Chief Roy said. "As a true expeditionary Airman, General Alison's legacy from World War II ace to father of Air Force Special Operations and more will endure the test of time."
Comments
6/8/2011 7:34:56 PM ET Without General Alison, I would not have an Air Force career. His generous donation of time money and ebullient personality made it possible for hundreds of kids like me short on means but long on desire to serve. Always humble he could casually mention very humorous anecdotes of his service the Air Force greats he flew with and some supposed mistake he made that turned out fine by dumb luck. I think now I was the lucky one to have known him. Rest in peace General, and my condolences to your family. The Air Force you helped forge feels your loss as I do personally.
Mike, Minneapolis MN
6/8/2011 2:21:06 PM ET I had the honor of interviewing General Alison for my thesis at SAAS in 2000. We met at the Army Navy club in Washington and talked for two hours He was a soft-spoken gentleman with a razor-shrp mind. A true warrior.
Richard Boltz, Vandenberg AFB CA
6/8/2011 11:24:15 AM ET Never will the likes of General Alison enter the Air Force in our lifetime. His leadership skills and devotion to duty as one of the Fathers of the Air Commandos was truly unique. He goes to rest with the best of us now. He is in great company.
Daniel A. d'Errico , Anchorage AK
6/8/2011 10:53:23 AM ET This is a sad day for AFSOC with the passing of one of our founders and first Air Commandos. Let us not forget his vision and wisdom and let us make sure that all Air Commando who follow learn his story and continue his legacy. He was a true Air Power Pioneer may he rest in Peace. Our Condolences to his family.
D Jones, Virginia
6/8/2011 7:22:21 AM ET May we never forget the sacrifices made by those before us What a legacy we have been left. RIP General Alison.
Gus, Ohio
6/7/2011 10:57:06 PM ET In the mid 1960s I was designated by the Air Staff to form a group and conduct a study to identify lesson to be learned in the area of Special Air warfare from the ongoing Vietnam War. The eternal question in all these type of studies is compared to what. My thoughts immediately turned to the experiences of the WWII Air commandoes led by Cols. Cochran and John Alison. I placed call to Gen. Alison, who at the time was living in Cal., and invited him to visit Washington and produce an oral history of the WWII Saga. His response I recall was to the effect that he couldnt be ready to leave for another hours or two. For two days Gen. Alison enthralled the group with his unbelievable memory profound wisdom and above all his sincere modesty.To me, Gen Alison is an American Military Hero surpassed by none and equaled by few. He deserves to rest in peace. His memory and will continue eternally. Bob Gleason.
Robert Gleason Col USAF Ret., ClemmonsNC
6/7/2011 10:43:19 PM ET In the mid 1960s I was designated by the Air Staff to form a group and conduct a study to identify lesson to be learned in the area of Special Air warfare from the ongoing Vietnam War. The eternal question in all these type of studies is compared to what? My thoughts immediately turned to the experiences of the WWII Air commandoes led by Cols. Cochran and John Alison. I placed call to Gen. Alison who at the time was living in Cal. And invited him to visit Washington and produce an oral history of the WWII Saga. His response I recall was to the effect that he couldnt be ready to leave for another hours or two. For two days Gen. Alison enthralled the group with his unbelievable memory profound wisdom and above all his sincere modesty.To me Gen Alison is an American Military Hero surpassed by none and equaled by few. He deserves to rest in peace. His memory and will continue eternally. Bob Gleason.
Robert Gleason Col.USAF Rte., Clemmons NC
6/7/2011 8:21:17 PM ET General Alison was a great warrior and was a real role model for the Jungle Jim organization commanded by BG Ben King also a WWII ace. Ben King started the Vietnam era Air Commandos in 1961 and built it on what Johnny Alison and Col Cochran started in 1943. BG King had WWII and Korean aircraft to build his force similar to Alison and Cochran built their forces in WWII except they had modern aircraft for the time. MG Alison went into Broadway when they established a base in Burma in WWII which Ben King followed leading the Air Commandos into Vietnam in April 1961. Johnny Alison was a leader top follow. The last time I saw him was the Air Commando Association reunion at Hurlburt in Oct 2009 and he was still in fine shape for his age. So long old warrior and may you lead the eagles above us.
