James Lynn Hobson Jr. (1942 - 2023)

Born 16 Jul 1942 in Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States

Ancestors

Died 17 May 2023 at age 80 in Georgia, United States

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Biography

James Hobson Jr. is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Air Force 1965-1997
Served in Vietnam, Urgent Fury, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and provide Comfort

James was born in 1942, the son of James Hobson and Beverly Bolton.^[1][2] He married Miss Diane Carey Jetton on the 6th of June, 1964.^[3]

James died on the 17th of May, 2023 at the age of 80. He was buried in the Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia.^[4]

James "joined the U.S. Air Force in 1965 and served for 32 years. He earned his pilot wings in 1966, flying the C-130. From 1967-68 he flew the MC-130 Talon out of Nha Trang, Vietnam.

In 1983, while serving as the 8th SOS Commander, then Lt Col Hobson, was the lead aircraft supporting the airdrop in URGENT FURY (Grenada). For this mission, he and his crew were awarded the Mackay Trophy as the USAF's most meritorious flight of the year.

He commanded at the Squadron, Wing, Division, and Major Command levels. He was instrumental in the success of U.S. and Coalition efforts supporting Operation DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT as the 322nd Commander.

From 1994 through his military retirement in 1997, he served as the Commander of the Air Force Special Operations Command. Over his flying career, he accumulated 6,500 flying hours in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses and four Air Medals. In addition to his flying awards, he earned multiple high-level awards to include the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, and the Meritorious Service Medals.

In 1994, he was inducted into the Air Commando Association Hall of Fame. In 1997, the AFSOC enlisted force presented him, in recognition of his leadership and continuous support for airmen, with their highest-level award, the Order of the Sword. He was also inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor.

Following his USAF career, he was the President and CEO of Air Transport International for 11 years. He volunteered at the University of Arkansas Medical School, providing support to cancer patients and their families.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Diane; their two daughters, Carey Hobson Kelly of Marietta, GA, and Shannon Hobson and husband, Malcolm M Swan of Destin, FL; two grandchildren, Ryan Kelly and Lauren Kelly; and brothers, Lee Hobson and Jon Hobson. '^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census"
   citing Page: 3; Line: 16; Digital film/folder number: 108979427; Image number: 4
   FamilySearch Record: 6FSS-LY53 (accessed 31 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QHJ-5QHW-G9Q8-Y
   James L Hobson, Jr (7), married son, in household of James L Hobson (27) in Millington, Shelby, Tennessee, United States. Born in Tennessee.

   1950 United States Federal Census: Millington, Shelby, Tennessee, United States

   Name	Sex	Race	Age	Status	Relation	Occupation	Birth Place
   James L Hobson	M		27	Married	Head	Distributor	Mississippi
   Beverly B Hobson	F		25	Married	Wife	School	Tennessee
   James L Hobson, Jr	M		7	Married	Son		Tennessee

2. ↑ Obituary: "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 111584815; Image number: 14
   FamilySearch Record: 62QD-X4MK (accessed 31 March 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QHV-CQKD-L7ZD
   Name: James Lynn Hobson, Jr; Death Date: 17 May 2023; Birth Date: July 1942; Birth Place: Memphis, Shelby, Tennessee, United States; Obituary Date: 26 May 2023; Obituary Place: Arkansas, United States; Source Newspaper: NWAOnline: Web Edition Articles; System Of Record: SLS.
3. ↑ The_Commercial_Appeal_Sun__Mar_15__1964. A copy of the wedding announcement may be viewed at Shirley Family Photos and Sources
4. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #254378301 (accessed 31 March 2024)
   Memorial page for MG James Lynn Hobson Jr. (16 Jul 1942-17 May 2023), citing Kennesaw Memorial Park, Marietta, Cobb County, Georgia, USA; Maintained by 49106808 (contributor 49106808).
5. ↑ The_Commercial_Appeal_Memphis__Tennessee___Monday__May_29__2023. A copy of the obituary for Major General James L. Hobson can be seen at Shirley Family Photos and Sources