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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Lt Col James N. Bower's distinguished accomplishments as an aviator span more than five decades and encompass a military career as well as numerous private endeavors. His first exposure to aviation 'landed' him with a broken arm as he attempted to fly a set of wings he and his brother had built atop his parent's Wisconsin barn. From that somewhat daunting initiation into the airborne world evolved a lifelong passion for aviation, which is here commemorated.

Early Training, Education and Air Force Assignments:

"Jim" was accepted to Officers Training and Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Class 56F in August 1954. He completed the program at Lackland AFB, TX, and went on to Primary Flight Training at Hondo AFB, TX in 1955 where he flew PA-18 Piper Cub and T-6 Texan trainers. He completed his Basic Flight Training at Bryan AFB, TX in the second half of 1955 flying the T-28 and T-33 trainers. After receiving his commission and pilot's wings on 15 December 1955, Lieutenant Bower went on to Advanced Flight Training at Moody AFB, GA in 1956, flying the T-33 (T-Bird) Shooting Star and F-94C Starfire

With his initial training and commission complete, Jim took leave to marry Dorothy Casari, of Norway Michigan, on November 10, 1956. To this day, Dorothy proudly supports Jim's aviation pursuits and they share a lifetime of wonderful memories shaped by Jim's Air Force career.

In his initial assignment out of flight training, Jim served with the 76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Presque Air Force Base, Presque Isle, ME flying the T-Bird for proficiency and 350 hours in the F-89D Scorpion. In November 1957 Jim was reassigned to the 76th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at McCoy AFB, Orlando, Florida where he flew the "H" variant of the F-89. He continued to fly the T-33 and picked up time in the B-57 during Weapons Controller School.

In May 1959, Jim was reassigned to the 707th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Grand Rapids Air Force Station, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He continued his training as a Weapons Controller and flew the L-20 Beaver - a De Havilland high wing prop aircraft. In February 1960, Jim and his family moved to Lowther, Ontario, Canada where he was assigned to the 639th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. During his tenure at Lowther, he pulled duty as the Stan/Eval, Operations Officer and Maintenance Officer while continuing to fly the L-20 - to include landing on snow with skis.

In 1963 the Air Force gave Jim the opportunity to earn his college degree, sending him off to the University of Wyoming. In 1965 he received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Between coursework, he continued to maintain his pilot proficiency flying the T-33 and U 3 "Blue Canoe" (Cessna 310). Upon completion of his degree, Jim was assigned to Headquarters Eastern Communications Region at Westover, MA as a Staff Electronics Maintenance Officer. There he flew the T-29 and T-39 Saberliner for both proficiency and support.

Highly-Decorated Combat Duty in Vietnam:

In early 1966, Jim received orders for Vietnam. Jim was initially sent to Luke AFB, AZ for training on the F-100 Super Sabre, but was subsequently selected for Forward Air Controller duty and sent to Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, FL for training in the Cessna 0-1E "Bird Dog." Following survival training at Fairchild AFB, WA and Clark AFB, Philippines, Jim arrived in Vietnam in November 1966. He was assigned to the 21st TAC Air Support Squadron, Nha Trang, Vietnam with continuous TDY orders throughout South Vietnam supporting I Corp, II Corp and IV Corp Operational Areas. Jim flew 766 combat hours as a Forward Air Controller using 0-1 Aircraft in support of Vietnam Provincial Chiefs and/or US Army, 5th Special Forces (Project Delta). Primary Bases used for operations included Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hue Phu By, Pleiku, Kontumn, and Cameron Bay. Jim completed his tour in October 1967. For his wartime actions, Jim received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and four Valor/Heroism medals along with numerous other decorations.

Continued Air Force Service:

Returning stateside, Jim was assigned to the 29th Air Division, Air Defense Command (ADC) Duluth International Airport, Duluth, MN as Staff Communications Electronics Maintenance/ Operations Officer. He continued to fly C-47 Gooney Bird, U-3 and T-29 aircraft. In July 1969, Jim received his first command as Commander 612th Radar Squadron Luke Range, Ajo, AZ (just before the Air Force closed the base!). He was reassigned as Commander of the 716th Radar Squadron, Kalispell AFS, MT. He continued to fly the T-29 and even picked up time in the UH-1 Helicopter.

Jim's final assignment was Division Director Com/Electronics Maintenance and General's Aide at 24th Air Division (ADC), Malmstrom AFB, MT. He retired from the Air Force in June 1975.

Military Career Totals:
First Pilot 2650.6 hours
Co-Pilot 361.5 hours
Instructor Pilot 845.9 hours
Combat Pilot 766.0 hours
Student Pilot 254.8 hours
Total Pilot: 4112.7 hours

Dates of Rank:
2nd Lieutenant 15 December 1955
1st Lieutenant 16 June 1957
Captain 15 October 1961
Major 14 July 1967
Lt Colonel 19 March 1973

Personal Aviation Pursuits:

A few years after retiring to Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP), Jim bought a 1979 Cessna 172, Model Skyhawk II, tail number N5233E, Serial Number 17271786. At the time of purchase in 1982, the airplane had approximately 360 hours. When sold in the 1998, the airplane had approximately 4500 hours. During most of this ownership, the Cessna was leased to Jon Thorin Aviation in Escanaba, MI where it was used for student training, rental, and charter operations. Jim flew for Jon on many occasions -- flying patients to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; transporting prisoners from various parts of the UP to Flint, MI; flying Smoke Patrol for the DNR; providing flight instruction and pleasure rides. Jim and Dorothy also used the aircraft for personal use, traveling to visit friends and family throughout Michigan and Wisconsin. Jim's total flight time in the Cessna was approximately 600 hours.

Jim and Dorothy joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in 1982, participating in the local U.P. chapter and the annual "Fly In" at Oshkosh. Their initial trips to Oshkosh were brief, but quickly evolved into spending a month to six weeks at Oshkosh as well as two months at the southern EAA convention (Sun N' Fun) at Lakeland FL. There they served as volunteers in many capacities: as painters, cooks, registration and welcome staff, maintenance crew, gardeners, construction workers, parade leaders, etc. And having lots of fun! For their tireless efforts, Jim and Dorothy received various volunteer awards and were treated to rides in special vintage aircraft such as the Tri Motor Ford. They thoroughly enjoyed their time as volunteers at the Oshkosh and Sun N' Fun conventions and plan to return in the years ahead.

At the age of 70 (in 2003), Jim's passion for and dedication to the world of aviation remains as strong as ever. Jim and Dorothy Bower currently (2003) reside in Rockledge, FL where Jim volunteers as a tour guide at the Space and Missile Museum at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

Dedication and Wall of Honor Dedication:

James N. Bower's four children -- Jim Jr., Terri, Paul and Mike -- together with their families, proudly nominate their father (father-in-law and grandfather) for the National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center's National Aviation and Space Exploration Wall of Honor on the occasion of his 70th birthday. With love and respect, they wish to celebrate his lifetime of aviation excellence.