James G. Howcroft

Name: James “Jim” Godfrey Howcroft Place of Birth: Steubenville, Ohio Rank: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Branch of Service: Air Force Years of Service: 27 Campaign Eras: WWII, Korea, Vietnam Spouse: Married the former Beverly “B.J.” [Bennett] Robertson of Long Island, NY, on February 4, 2001. Education: College of Charleston, SC (1940-41); Ohio Univ., BA/Math (1947); West Virginia Univ., MS/Math (1950); Massachusetts Inst. of Tech (MIT), MS/Meteorology (1955); Univ. of Chicago, Doctoral Program/ Meteorology (1960-63) Military Service Highlights Was drafted in 1943 and commissioned at Meteorology School, Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL. Volunteered for overseas in 1944 and attended loadmaster school with Air Training Command at Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, FL. Sent to Sookerating AB, India, a “Hump Station” that provided supplies to Chinese Nationalists fighting the Japanese in China. Volunteered for “Project Orient” in Sep 45 and served almost a year in Saigon, French Indo-China, and in Bangkok, Thailand. He was the Adjutant to terminal detachment commanders. Was discharged from active duty in 1946. Continued in the Reserves with Air Weather Service at Mitchell AFB, Long Island, NY, and later at Pittsburgh Airport, PA. Recalled to active duty in 1952 during the Korean War. After a year as duty forecaster at Lockbourne AFB, OH, he completed graduate work at MIT in 1955. Worked one year in the Directorate of Climatology, Andrews AFB, MD, and 2 years at Offutt AFB, NE. Selected for classified work in SAC’s 1st Air Division, advising on weather for covert air operations against the USSR. Stationed at Bushy Park, England, in 28th Weather Squadron HQ, from 1958-60. Doctoral studies at Univ. of Chicago, IL, in numerical weather prediction. Last tour—7 years in Suitland, MD, at National Meteorological Center. Retired in 1970. Decorations, Medals, and Badges Meritorious Svc Medal; Army and AF Commendation Medals; Army Good Conduct Med; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Med (w/2 BSS); WWII Victory Med; Natl Def Svc Med (w/BSS); Armed Forces Reserve Med; AF Longevity Svc Award (w/4 OLC); Sm Arms Expert Marksmanship Rib.; AF Outstanding Unit Award Civilian Professional Highlights Quality Engineering, Installation Div. for Western Electric Co., NYC (1947–49); Teaching Fellow, Dept. of Math, West Virginia Univ.; Math & Physics Instr., Waynesburg Coll., PA, (1949–52). At National Meteorological Center (NMC) near D.C. from 1970–1997 as Research Meteorologist; Chief of Service and Applications Branch in Automation Division; Division Deputy for Operations; Chief of Automation Division; and Deputy Director of NMC. He was also Acting Director in 1990. Jim attained Senior Executive Service (SES) rank of Level 4. He retired in 1997 with 54 years of total federal service. Areas of Interest Jim enjoyed hiking, camping, and cooking in the outdoors growing up. He also loved reading, history, and math. Participated in Masonic organizations, Toastmasters International, and Boys Scouts of America. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James G. Howcroft please visit our Sympathy Store.