Roy George Inness

LIEUTENANT COLONEL ROY GEORGE INNESS, JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Roy George Inness, Jr. was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to Roy George Inness, Sr. and Rosemary Allen Inness. Growing up in southern Louisiana, he excelled academically and socially. Driven by a desire to serve his country at the dawn of the jet age, Roy secured an appointment to the newly established United States Air Force Academy, entering with the historic First Class of 1959. As a member of Cadet Squadron 10, he underwent rigorous training, culminating in his graduation on June 3, 1959, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and commission as a Second Lieutenant.

Following graduation, Roy entered primary and basic pilot training from 1959 to 1960 at Bartow Air Base, Florida, and Greenville Air Force Base, Mississippi. After earning his wings and completing F-100 Super Sabre advanced flying school, he was assigned to the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron at England Air Force Base, Louisiana.

Between 1962 and 1964, he flew with the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan. As the conflict in Southeast Asia intensified, the 416th TFS deployed, and Roy flew combat operations out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Korea, and South Vietnam from 1965 to 1966. For his heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight over Vietnam, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and nine Air Medals.

Recognized for his sharp technical mind, he was selected to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, earning a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering in 1968. He put this specialized knowledge to immediate use at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, serving as an Aeronautical Engineer until 1971. He then returned to Wright-Patterson AFB to serve as a pivotal Project Manager within the F-15 System Program Office, helping guide the development of the Air Force's premier air superiority fighter.

Roy returned to operational flight command from 1975 to 1977 as the Operations Officer flying the F-4D Phantom II with the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. He then shifted to ground-air joint operations, serving as an Air Liaison Officer with the Army's storied 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, South Korea. His final active-duty assignment brought him to the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he served until his military retirement after 27 years of dedicated service.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Roy settled in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with his beloved wife, Beverly Deanne. He launched a successful second career in the local community as a Realtor with the Sundance Agency from 1988 to 1999.

Lt. Colonel Roy George Inness, Jr. passed away in 2018, at the age of 81. He is buried with full military honors at his alma mater, the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, overlooking the grounds where his journey of service began.

EDUCATION

• High School: Ascension High School, Class of 1955
• Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science, United States Air Force Academy, Class of 1959
• Graduate: Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), 1968

MEDALS AND AWARDS

• Distinguished Flying Cross (1)
• Meritorious Service Medal (1)
• Air Medal (9)
• Air Force Commendation Medal (2)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Assignment Location
1959–1960 Pilot Training (Primary & Basic) Bartow AB, FL / Greenville AFB, MS
1961–1962 F-100 Fighter Pilot, 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron England AFB, LA
1962–1964 F-100 Fighter Pilot, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron Misawa AB, Japan
1965–1966 Combat Pilot, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1966–1968 AFIT Graduate Student (Aeronautical Engineering) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1968–1971 Aeronautical Engineer, Air Force Weapons Laboratory (AFWL) Kirtland AFB, NM
1971–1975 Project Manager, F-15 System Program Office Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
1975–1977 Operations Officer (F-4D), 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron Clark AB, Philippines
1977–1978 Air Liaison Officer, 2nd Infantry Division Camp Casey, South Korea
1978–1982 Staff / Operational Duty, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
1988–1999 Post-Military Career: Realtor, Sundance Agency Fort Walton Beach, FL