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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Jimmy first flew over southern Idaho as a teenager in an aircraft owned by a business acquaintance of his father. The real start of his aviation experience began when flight training was offered through the Air Force ROTC at the University of Idaho. Following university graduation Air Force flight school was completed with Class 63-E using the T-37 and T-33 at Williams AFB, AZ. His first Air Force assignment was Mather AFB, CA as a mission pilot in the T-29 navigator-training program. This was followed by service during 1965 and 1966 in Vietnam as a forward air controller flying the L-19. For this service several medals were awarded including the usual Air Medal for missions flown as well as the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry issued by the Vietnamese Air Force. Lt. Holmes served as a forward air controller during the battle of the la Drang Valley. Primary service was in the area of Pleiku and along the Ho Chi Mihn Trail in Laos. Air Force service was completed after returning to the US and Mather AFB until leaving active duty in 1967 as a Captain.
From 1967 through retirement in January 1999 employment was with United Airlines. Service was as a flight engineer in the DC-6, B727 and the DC-10 followed by a two years as a copilot on the B-767 before flying as captain on the B-737, B767, DC-10 and the B-777.
Since retirement from United Airlines service to aviation is provide by participating as an Aviation Safety Analyst for the NASA/Aviation Safety Reporting System at Mountain View, CA.