Mr. HAROLD ARNOLD RADETSKY

PLANO -- Harold A. Radetsky, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, died early Friday morning, May 30, 2014. Mr. Radetsky was 95. Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Kornbleet Memorial Cemetery Chapel located in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery, 411 N. University Drive, with Rabbi Andrew Bloom and Cantor Shoshana Abrams-Kaikov officiating. Following committal prayers, he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Doris, in the cemetery. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to Congregation Ahavath Sholom or to a charity of choice, in his memory, is suggested. Harold, or Hal, for those that knew him, was a man of love, honor, and integrity. His life was a memorable one, filled with devotion to his family, friends, religion, and country. He was a pillar of strength for us all. Col. Radetsky was born in Denver, Colo., and by the grace of divine kindness, lived four score and 15 years, blessed with vigor. After graduating from the University of Denver, he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps as a flying cadet in March 1941 and retired from the Air Force in October 1967, after more than 26 years of continuous service. Most of his World War II years were spent overseas, initially participating as an "A-20" bomber pilot with the first U.S. military unit, 15th Bomb Squadron, to attack occupied Europe from England on July 4, 1942. The squadron was subsequently deployed to North Africa and conducted bombing missions against General Rommel's retreating German forces. Returning to the U.S. in early 1943, he joined a newly formed bomb group which deployed to England in early 1944 for pre and post D-Day combat activity in both A-20 and A-26 attack bombers against German military targets in France and Germany until VE Day. The bomb group was then ordered to the Far East to participate in the invasion of Japan, and was in transit when the war ended. Subsequent assignments included: director, Armament Officer School; planning officer, Air Staff, Pentagon; Chief U.S. Air Force Advisory Group to Danish Air Force, Denmark; and he spent the last 14 years in the Strategic Air Command. He commanded B-52 Bomb Wings respectively at Minot AFB, N.D., Dyess AFB, Abilene, and Altus AFB, Okla. He was a command pilot, B-52 instructor pilot, KC-135 tanker pilot, and wore the Ballistic Missile Badge. His final assignment was director of Material, 2nd Air Force (SAC), Barksdale AFB, La. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with oakleaf, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 oak leaves, Air Force Commendation Medal, Croix de Guerre with Palm, Chinese Government Commendation, three Presidential Unit Citations and various campaign medals. After retirement, he was employed by General Dynamics, Logistics Department, Fort Worth, until November 1980. Hal was a member of the Air Force Association, Congregation Ahavath Sholom, B'nai B'rith, the Jewish War Veteran Martin Hochster Post 755, and was an honorary member of the Teller Masonic Lodge of Denver. Survivors: In addition to his son, Gregg Radetsky and his wife, Leigh, of Houston and daughter, Dona Glynn and her husband, Mike, of Plano, Hal is survived by his grandchildren, Ryan and Niki Huling of Austin, Lauren and Kabe Cornell of Tulsa, Tobi and Eric Appelt of Hallettsville and Sydney O'Connor of Houston; and great-grandchildren, Ryder, Avery, Kyla and Jena. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mr. HAROLD ARNOLD RADETSKY please visit our Sympathy Store.