Jon Robert Staples

Preferred Name: Jon
Nickname/Call Sign: Nails
Date of Birth: June 11, 1940
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: McLean, VA
Headed West Date: May 13, 2022

Jon graduated from McLean High School in 1958, having served as class president for three successive years, as well as lettering all three years in football, basketball, and baseball. Jon’s academic and athletic performance earned him entry into the United States Air Force Academy in June, 1958. Jon maintained his level of academic and athletic performance throughout his AFA years and graduated in 1962 as part of the “Red Tags”.  From there, Jon entered into the pilot training program at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he met the love of his life, Miss Carolyn Hood. After his pilot training, Jon was stationed in Altus, Oklahoma where he served as a B-52 commander pilot for three years.

Jon and Carolyn were married July 31, 1965 while Jon was stationed in Altus. In 1969, Jon completed F-100 fighter pilot training in Phoenix, Arizona and served as a fighter pilot in Vietnam 1969-1970, logging 95 combat missions. While in Vietnam, Jon also volunteered at the Saigon orphanage, and was instrumental in bringing a Vietnamese orphan to the United States to adoptive parents.

Jon’s service awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, five air medals, and three Air Force Commendation medals.

In 1970, after returning from Vietnam, Jon was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy as an Air Officer Commanding (AOC), in charge of the military training of the 6th Squadron. In May of 1973, Jon decided to separate from the Air Force and pursue his own business and personal goals. To this end, Jon established his own real estate company and continued his career until retirement in 1999.”

 

Source: https://www.saulsfh.com/obituary/Jon-Staples#obituary