Dear Golden Eagles:

I am saddened to report to you that Captain James A. Homyak, USN (Ret.) made his last takeoff on Friday, December 17, 2010 in Pensacola, FL. His wife Mary Jo, children Linda, William, and James D., his brother Donald and sisters Shirley Gierloff and Betty Thayer survive him. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 10am at the NAS Pensacola Base Chapel. Interment at Barrancas National Cemetery will be at 11am. A reception will follow at New World Landing, 600 S. Palafox Street in Pensacola.

CAPT Homyak joined the Navy as an Aviation Cadet in December 1942, and received his wings in August ’43. After further training at NAS Miami, FL, Jim was assigned to VC-85 in January ’44 and flew 70 combat missions in support of operations at Leyte, Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa while embarked in USS Lunga Point (CVE-92). He shot down a Japanese “Zeke” in April ’45 during Okinawa action, and was awarded four Air Medals for his heroism in WWII.

Jim served aboard USS Sicily (CVE-118) as Assistant Air Operations Officer in the Korean area of hostilities. To close out his combat actions in three wars, Jim served as Commanding Officer of USS Monticello (LSD-35) from’68-’69 during Vietnam actions and was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat ”V”.

Capt Homyak served for 32 years and had many challenging and rewarding tours of duty including: two tours as an instructor in the Training Command, Executive Officer of VA-44, Operations Officer and XO of USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), Executive Assistant to OP-03 on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, and student at Industrial College of the Armed Services.

Jim commanded VA-56 in ’62-63, and was Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL from ’70-72. Captain Homyak was Commander Fleet Air Lemoore/Commander Light Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet from ’72-74, retiring from that position in July 1974.

Jim was an inspirational leader whose quiet demeanor belied his aggressive cockpit skills and competitive nature. A loyal shipmate, he was a valued friend and true patriot.

We have lost yet another WWII hero, and one who served honorably in three wars. He will be missed.

Sadly,

Bill Gureck, Pilot