Michael Peter Reardon

COLONEL MICHAEL PETER REARDON, USAF (RET.)
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 12

Born in Newton, Massachusetts on February 28, 1936, Michael Peter Reardon was the son of James Gerard Reardon and Anita Thorndike Reardon. Raised in the Boston area, Michael’s early years were steeped in Massachusetts public life. His father was a prominent educator who served as Administrator of Public Schools during the administration of Governor James Michael Curley. As Governor Curley’s godson, one of young Michael’s earliest memories was visiting Curley while the mayor was serving a sentence in jail.

Michael always held a playful suspicion regarding his true birthdate, believing he was actually born on Leap Day (February 29) and that his mother had the birth record moved up a day so he could celebrate annually—meaning by his calculation, he was only a youthful 22 when he passed away. He completed his preparatory education at the prestigious Boston Latin School and the New Hampton School in New Hampshire before receiving an appointment to the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy.

USAFA AND THE BEGINNING OF A LIFELONG PARTNERSHIP

In 1955, Michael arrived at Lowery Air Force Base in Denver as part of the Academy’s pioneer class. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 12, he helped forge the traditions of the new institution. Early in his cadet years, a blind date introduced him to Marian Helen Little, a native of Denver studying business and art at the University of Colorado.

The spark was immediate, beginning one of history’s great love stories. On June 8, 1959—just days after Michael graduated and took his commission as a Second Lieutenant—the couple married at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Denver.

MILITARY CAREER AND COMBAT SERVICE
After commissioning, Lt. Reardon entered primary flight training in Enid, Oklahoma, where he earned his wings and where he and Marian welcomed their first child, Maura. Over the next 14 years, the growing Reardon family demonstrated remarkable military adaptability, moving ten times to assignments across the United States and overseas.

His initial flight duties took him to Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts, flying with the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron, followed by duties as an aide and pilot with the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL) at Hanscom Field. In 1964, he transitioned to tactical fighters, serving on wing staff with the 50th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn Air Base in West Germany.

In 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War and the pivotal Tet Offensive, Captain Reardon deployed to South Vietnam. Assigned to the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron (3rd Tactical Fighter Wing) at Bien Hoa Air Base, he flew 219 combat missions in tactical fighter aircraft. For exceptional valor and meritorious achievement under fire, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and 12 Air Medals.

Following his combat tour, Reardon commanded KC-135 stratotankers with the 913th Air Refueling Squadron and served as Wing Flying Safety Officer with the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Recognizing his strategic acuity, the Air Force selected him to attend the University of Rochester graduate program, where he earned a Master's degree in Systems Analysis. He subsequently served as an Air Operations Staff Officer at Headquarters USAF in the Pentagon, shaping strategic Air Force planning.

CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND LEGACY

In 1974, Colonel Reardon stepped off active duty to return to Denver and assume leadership of Cottrell’s, a historic men’s clothing retailer established in 1893 by Marian’s grandfather, George F. Cottrell. He served as Executive Vice President and President of Cottrell Clothing Company while continuing his military dedication in the Air Force Reserve, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. Later, he engaged in private business as Managing Partner of O'Kane-Reardon Investments.


His commitment to national defense returned him to Washington under President George H.W. Bush, who appointed him Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Reserve Affairs in 1990. He completed his distinguished public service as an official with the Air Force Base Conversion Agency through 1996.

In their retirement years, Michael and Marian lived in Arlington, Virginia and later Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. When Marian was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Michael served as her primary caregiver with steadfast devotion until her passing in 2017 after 58 years of marriage.

Colonel Reardon passed away peacefully in Alexandria, Virginia on May 9, 2025, at the age of 89. He was laid to rest with military honors at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, surrounded by the institution he helped build.

EDUCATION


Boston Latin School & New Hampton School Secondary Education Prep
United States Air Force Academy B.S., Cadet Squadron 12 (Inaugural Class) 1959
USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training Aeronautical / Flight Operations 1960
University of Rochester M.S., Systems Analysis ~1970

MEDALS AND MILITARY DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit 1
Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Purple Heart 1
Meritorious Service Medal 1
Air Medal 12 (11 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal 2 (1 Oak Leaf Cluster)

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS


1955–1959 Cadet, First Graduating Class Cadet Squadron 12, USAFA Lowry AFB / USAFA, CO
1959–1960 Student Pilot Pilot Training Vance AFB, Enid, OK
1960–1962 Pilot 551st Airborne Early Warning & Control Sqn Otis AFB, MA
1962–1964 Aide / Pilot Air Force Cambridge Research Lab (AFCRL) Hanscom Field, MA
1964–1966 Wing Staff 50th Tactical Fighter Wing Hahn Air Base, Germany
1967–1968 Tactical Fighter Pilot (219 Combat Missions) 531st Tactical Fighter Sqn / 3rd TFW Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam
1968 Aircraft Commander, KC-135 913th Air Refueling Squadron Barksdale AFB, LA
1969 Wing Flying Safety Officer 2nd Bomb Wing Barksdale AFB, LA
1970–1974 Air Operations Staff Officer Headquarters USAF (Pentagon) Washington, D.C.
1974–1986 Exec VP / President & USAFR Officer Cottrell Clothing Co. / USAF Reserve Denver, CO
1986–1990 Managing Partner O'Kane-Reardon Investments Denver, CO
1990–1993 Deputy Assistant Secretary Air Force Reserve Affairs (DoD Appointee) Washington, D.C.
1993–1996 Senior Department Official Air Force Base Conversion Agency Washington, D.C.
1996+ Managing Partner O'Kane-Reardon Investments LLP Denver, CO / Virginia