James D Jeffcoat

Lieutenant Colonel James D Jeffcoat was born on July 4, 1931 in Commerce, Texas and passed away on July 12, 2019 in Plano, Texas. James is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou (Bennington) Jeffcoat; parents: Elige Herman Jeffcoat and Nannie Lou Randolph Jeffcoat. James is survived by his children: Rosalind Garland and husband Henry, Jim Jeffcoat and wife, Jan and Scott Jeffcoat and wife Renate. He also loved watching his family grow with the addition of six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Lt Col James D Jeffcoat actively served his country for over 32 years, first through the US Navy for five years. Then he earned his Air Force Officer’s Commission through the AFROTC at East Texas State University and graduated as the Distinguished Military Graduate in 1957. His flying assignments included the C-124 Globemaster, in which he flew worldwide missions. Other aircraft he flew include the C-141 Starlifter; the C-123 Provider; a Royal Air Force Beverly and several other military aircraft. He served in the Military Airlift Command; The RAF Exchange Program; Special Operations Air Commando’s in Southeast Asia, the Air Rescue and Recovery Service, The Joint Rescue Coordination Center Europe;, and USAF Liaison Officer to the Civil Air Patrol. His decorations and awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with Four Oak leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal with Device; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; Vietnam Service Medal with Five Devices; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two devices; Occupational Service Medal; Air Force Presidential Unit Citation and Device; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Five Devices plus ‘V’ Device; Combat Readiness Medal; Small Arms Expert Ribbon; and the Air Force Longevity Service ribbon with Seven Devices. During his career he accumulated 8106 flying hours which included 545 combat flying hours. His combat missions included Berlin, the Congo and Southeast Asia. He retired from the Air Force in 1985.