Brigadier General John F. Flanagan, Jr. (USAF- Ret) passed away on October 21 after a valiant battle against lung cancer. John packed more heroics, made more friends, positively impacted more people, had more laughs and contributed more to his country during his seventy three year lifespan than Walter Mitty ever dreamed possible. John was born and raised in White Plains, NY where he graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania for one year before receiving an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in 1958. While at the Academy, John was a member of the Academy's undefeated football team that was ranked 6th nationally and played in the Cotton Bowl. John majored in political science and graduated in 1962 as a second lieutenant. He immediately entered pilot training, and upon graduation, was assigned as a combat crewmember at Otis AFB, where he began his life-long love affair with Cape Cod. In 1965, in the very early stages of the Vietnam War, John was among the first to answer the call to combat, volunteering for duty as a Forward Air Controller supporting elite Army units in close combat. John flew over 300 combat missions and, in recognition of his heroism and gallantry, he was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, twelve Air Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. General Flanagan left the active Air Force in 1968 but continued his military career in the New York Air National Guard in a succession of key command positions in flying operations. In January 1986, he was appointed the Deputy Commander of the 6000 member New York Air National Guard and was promoted to Brigadier General in March 1989. John retired from the military in 1995 after 33 years of active, reserve and standby reserve service. He was a Command Pilot with over 4400 flying hours and, at the time of his retirement, was the most highly decorated officer in the New York ANG. John was equally distinguished and accomplished in his parallel business career where he held a series of demanding jobs in the transportation industry. He played an essential role in the introduction of the 747 airliner into commercial service with American Airlines; served as CFO of a Hertz trucking company in Europe; as Vice President and Treasurer of Holland America Lines; and in liquidating, as a Trustee, a failed common carrier. General Flanagan held an MBA from Boston College, is a graduate of the National Defense University and a Distinguished Graduate of the Air War College. He was an accomplished author and sought-after military commentator. His seminal work, "Vietnam above the Treetops", chronicled his exploits as Forward Air Controller in combat and was a Military Book Club main selection. His radio and TV interviews on military affairs have been featured on broadcast networks. Upon moving permanently into his Cape Cod summer home in Falmouth, John served as a Professor of Transportation and Logistics at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He reveled in this job because it allowed him to share the importance of duty, integrity and commitment with the midshipmen he was instructing. John always emphasized the importance of community service and involvement as well as the virtue of giving back to society. He twice ran for Congress in New York; he has been a major financial benefactor of the Air Force Academy; and has generously donated his time and effort to Otis-related community service activities; the Wounded Warrior Foundation, as well as serving as the Chairman of the Falmouth Transportation Commission. An avid golfer, he organized the first and now annual TGC for the Troops charity golf tournament at his beloved home course, The Golf Club of Cape Cod in Falmouth. John has skied the Alps; soared the Rockies; surfed the Pacific; golfed in Bermuda; and parachuted into the South China Sea- feats most people only read about. But he never lost sight of the importance of nurturing and protecting his family and friends. In this vein he will be remembered for his bright blue eyes, his wry Irish smile and his open extended hand to those he felt he could help. John made all who knew him better and his memory will long endure. John is survived by his wife, Mari Jo Flanagan of Falmouth; his daughters Regina Flanagan of San Francisco, CA and Monica Flanagan Dapolito of Patterson, New York; his stepson, Lt. Colonel Nathan Scopac of Alexandria, VA; and his grandchildren, James Dysart and Noah and Olivia Scopac. Burial will be at the Bourne National Cemetery on November 12. A memorial scholarship has been established in John's memory and the family has requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the General John F. Flanagan, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund administered through the Cape Cod Foundation. (www.capecodfoundation.org)