Jon P. Haddock was an Instructor Pilot with the 185th Tactical Fighter Group. In May 1968, the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, part of the 185th, deployed to Phu Cat Air Base in South Vietnam with 25 F-100 fighter jets and aircraft and 375 personnel. The remainder of the 185th’s members were deployed to air bases in South Korea and across the United States as “backfill,” replacements for other personnel who had been deployed to Vietnam.
The activation came in response to the “Pueblo Crisis,” in which the North Korean military seized the Navy intelligence ship USS Pueblo and its crew on Jan. 23, 1968. News of the activation wasn’t completely unexpected but still came as a surprise. During their year in Vietnam, 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron pilots flew 6,539 combat sorties totaling 11,359 hours.
Jon was not deployed to Vietnam but remained at Cannon. He had been the Instructor Pilot for the fleet of 25 F-100 Super Sabres that were sent to Phu Cat.
In his 30 years of military aviation, his favorite aircraft were the F-100 Fighter Jet and the Blackhawk Helicopter. Jon was known for his sense of humor and his pride for his four girls.
Jon Prescott Haddock “Headed West” on April 5, 2018.
A gathering of family and friends was held Friday, April 13th. Interment will be held at a later date in Willow Township Cemetery at Holly Springs, Iowa.
Jon was born on Sept. 4, 1940, in Sioux City, Iowa, to J. Bruce and Georgette Haddock. He was a graduate of Holly Springs-Hornick High School and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Jon was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Iowa Air National Guard in June of 1962. He was a member of the 185th Tactical Fighter Group, which was activated in January of 1968 in support of the Vietnam War.
After departing active duty in 1969, Jon and wife, Sue returned to farming in Iowa and began their family.
In 1980, he resumed active duty as a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army including service in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before retiring in August of 1994. In his 30 years of military aviation, his favorite aircraft were: the F-100 Fighter Jet and the Blackhawk Helicopter. Reportedly, John had over 1,000 hours flying the Hun!
Jon was known for his sense of humor and his pride for his four girls.
Survivors include his four daughters, Andrea Haddock, Robin Haddock, Alexa Bigwarfe (Jeffrey), Gayle Haddock (Michael Ruguleiski); four grandchildren, William Crutchlow, Braedan, Ella and Charis Bigwarfe; former wife, Sue Haddock; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Marilyn Haddock Evans; a brother, Ronald Haddock; and a granddaughter, Kathryn Bigwarfe.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jon’s honor to the Boys and Girls Home and Family Services, Inc, P.O. Box 1197, Sioux City, IA 51102.
Jon was interred at Willow Township Cemetery in Holly Springs, IA.
