James “Agony” Anthony
Preferred Name: James
Nickname/Call Sign: Agony
Date of Birth: April 23, 1934 (December 22, 1969)
Highest Military Grade Held: Major
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
James “Agony” Anthony
Biography
“Agony” Anthony died while flying an F-111 at Nellis AFB in Nevada on December 22, 1969. Reports say that his mission was the operational test of all operational requirements. At the time of the accident, he was doing the conventional weapons delivery test. The F-111 had a 20mm Gatling gun and carried the normal conventional weapons. To get more exposure to each weapon and delivery the 474th was asked to fly some missions. Jim and Tom (Mack) were on a normal medium angle 2.75 rocket delivery pass on a controlled range at Indian Springs when the center box section of their F-111 failed and the wing folded and separated. The range officer said the module separated “normally” and was attempting to right itself and fly up when it struck the ground. As a result of this accident, the F-111 was grounded for around 9 months. All F-111s were required to go through a cold proof testing conducted at Waco, Texas. Every F-111 that I flew after that had write-ups in the 781s noting various cracks, etc found during the testing.
Units Assigned
- 1964-1967 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100)
- 1967-1968 Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
- 4/1968-12/1969 422 Fighter Weapons Squadron/57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, NV (F-111)
Died while flying the F-111 at Nellis on 12/22/1969
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star
Air Medal (with 3 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal
AF Combat Readiness
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Award
Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
Flight Info
F-100
F-111
Military Education
- MS Systems Management, AFIT (Residence)
- WPAFB, OH – 1974
Civilian Education
- AB Math Washington Univ, St. Louis, MO ROTC
- AB Math Washington Univ, St. Louis, MO ROTC-1965
On 22 December 1969, F-111A 67-0049, assigned to the 428th TFS of the 474th TFW, crashed and was destroyed. The mission had been the operational testing of rockets on the Nellis ranges. During a rocket delivery recovery, a wing of the F-111A completely detached in flight. The highly experienced crew of Maj Thomas Mack and Maj James Anthony were killed after the unsuccessful out-of-module-limits ejection from the rapidly rolling, out of control aircraft.
- Biography
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Biography
“Agony” Anthony died while flying an F-111 at Nellis AFB in Nevada on December 22, 1969. Reports say that his mission was the operational test of all operational requirements. At the time of the accident, he was doing the conventional weapons delivery test. The F-111 had a 20mm Gatling gun and carried the normal conventional weapons. To get more exposure to each weapon and delivery the 474th was asked to fly some missions. Jim and Tom (Mack) were on a normal medium angle 2.75 rocket delivery pass on a controlled range at Indian Springs when the center box section of their F-111 failed and the wing folded and separated. The range officer said the module separated “normally” and was attempting to right itself and fly up when it struck the ground. As a result of this accident, the F-111 was grounded for around 9 months. All F-111s were required to go through a cold proof testing conducted at Waco, Texas. Every F-111 that I flew after that had write-ups in the 781s noting various cracks, etc found during the testing.
- Units - Education - Awards - Flight Info
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Units Assigned
- 1964-1967 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England (F-100)
- 1967-1968 Tuy Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
- 4/1968-12/1969 422 Fighter Weapons Squadron/57th Fighter Weapons Wing, Nellis AFB, NV (F-111)
Died while flying the F-111 at Nellis on 12/22/1969
Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star
Air Medal (with 3 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal
AF Combat Readiness
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Award
Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm)Flight Info
F-100
F-111Military Education
- MS Systems Management, AFIT (Residence)
- WPAFB, OH – 1974
Civilian Education
- AB Math Washington Univ, St. Louis, MO ROTC
- AB Math Washington Univ, St. Louis, MO ROTC-1965
- Photos
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- Headed West
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On 22 December 1969, F-111A 67-0049, assigned to the 428th TFS of the 474th TFW, crashed and was destroyed. The mission had been the operational testing of rockets on the Nellis ranges. During a rocket delivery recovery, a wing of the F-111A completely detached in flight. The highly experienced crew of Maj Thomas Mack and Maj James Anthony were killed after the unsuccessful out-of-module-limits ejection from the rapidly rolling, out of control aircraft.