Birth date: Mar 13, 1943 Death date: Feb 14, 2021
Retired CMS John Henry Driscoll Jr., “Jack” Driscoll, age 77, of Stoneham, MA passed away at 2:18PM on Sunday, February 14th, 2021 at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA. The presentation above was written by his granddaugh Read Obituary
Jackie was my first cousin.. Once he joined the service, and after our grandfather died in 1961, I do not believe I ever saw him or talked to him again, other that his contact through my father and his mother and aunt. In the about 1964 or so, my brother Bill and Jack reunited in Japan on an R & R, for which I believe, they were now banned from Japan. My father while he was alive, and his sisters always kept me informed of Jack and his life. Today I learned of his passing. I am so sad.. I am so very, very sad. RIP my cousin and love. Peace upon your wife and family.
As a proud daughter and "military brat" I wanted to include a bit of history about our father, Retired CMS John "Jack" Driscoll Jr. Dad's military career was an integral part of his persona, so I feel it is important to include some of his military accomplishments, as there were many. Almost immediately after graduating from Stoneham High School, dad enlisted in the United States Air Force. Following Basic Training in September of 1961, he was assigned immediately active duty to his first duty station at Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana. Airman Basic Driscoll was assigned to the 1915th Communications Squadron/305th Bomber Wing (B-58's) from 1961 to 1963 where he advanced from Airman Basic to Airman Second Class. Airman 2nd Class Driscoll then headed to the Far East for a tour of duty at Tachikawa AB, Japan (1963-1967). In 1967, he retrained into weapons/munitions and was sent to the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Yokota AB, Japan. In 1971 he was promoted to the rank of E-6. He was then sent to the 35th Tactical Fighter Group, George AFB, California (1971-1972), followed by a remote assignment to Ubon RTAFB (Royal Thai Air Force Base) Thailand (1972-1973). After his tour in Thailand, he was reassigned to George AFB (1973-1974). He was then assigned to Osan AB, Korea for another remote assignment (1975-1976). His family was then relocated to Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida (1976-1978) where he was promoted to E-7 in 1977. He and his family were then sent back to the Far East to Kadena AB, Okinawa (1978-1981), then to Yokota AB, Japan (1981-1985) where he was promoted to E-8 in 1981 and promoted to E-9 in 1984. He returned to Kadena AB, Okinawa (1986-1988), then returned stateside to Holloman AFB, NM (1988-1989). Finally, his last duty assignment was back "home" to 5th Air Force, Yokota AB, Japan in 1989.
Some of Chief Driscoll's significant Air Force contributions include participation in the military response to the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962 and the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in 1964. He was the Munitions Management Team Member and Weapons Load Crew Chief for the 5th Air Force Readiness Center during the search and rescue operations for KAL Flight 007 shot down b the USSR in 1983. He spent one year in Ubon RTAFB ( Royal Thai Air Force Base) Thailand during Operation Linebacker II where he loaded aircraft through the final period of the US involvement in the Vietnam conflict. Chief Driscoll also planned and executed 5th Air Forces's Sabre Spirit premier weapons loading competitions I, II, and III, which later became an annual PACAF exercise. He participated in countless TDY's to Korea, Japan, Okinawa, the Phillippines, and Guam in support of local, Higher Headquarters, and contingency taskings during assignments in the Pacific Air Forces. Of Chief Driscoll's 31 years, 3 months, and 11 days active duty, he served 24 years in PACAF (23 years of which were in 5th AF Units) and 7 years CONUS (stateside). He completed six long tours, two short tours and innumerable TDY's. His military Awards and Decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Oak leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendations Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Star, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf, the Vietnamese Service Ribbon with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Short Tour Service Ribbon with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Longevity Service Award with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, the NCO PME Ribbon, the Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Star, the training Ribbon, and a Korean Service Medal (Foreign Decoration).
To say the pride I feel for my father's accomplishments would be an understatement.
I love you Dad, and will miss you always.
Jack, I had 3 little brothers, but you were my only big brother. You spent a lot of time in your young life protecting me, and I spent the same time respecting you. You were the toughest kid on Avon Street. I'm sorry we never got to spend much time together as adults, but duty and distance got in the way. You wanted to become a soldier from a very young age, and you became a great one. Thank you for your lifetime of service.
You were also a solid, loving husband and father. Donna and Joanne will be a major source of comfort for Suzie. You had 3 very strong women in your life.
Good bye, my brother. May God speed.
John & Shizuno.. you have been very dear to me these last couple years... I have been blessed to know and care for you both. You are both very near and dear to my heart. Let me know if there is any way I can support you during your time of loss Shizuno.. much love and prayers .. Love Trista Petersen
