Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy was born in Orleans, Indiana, on October 9, 1905, and attended school in Puente, California. Following his
graduation from high school he became a professional boxer and was billed as the "Keel McCoy." Later he became a newspaper reporter for the Los
Angeles Herald Examiner, a William Hearst owned newspaper. Still later he operated a private flying school in California. His colorful career included
many incidents which classified him as a legendary figure as well as a pioneer airman.
After World War II broke, Colonel McCoy joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and served as a ferry pilot and instructor. He trained Canadian
pilots in the old Hudson Bomber until 1942 at which time he transferred as a captain to the U.S. Army Air Corps. At this time, McCoy arguably had
logged more flight hours than any pilot in the world. In June of 1945 while serving with the 315th Bomb Wing on Guam, Colonel McCoy flew 22
missions in B29 "Stratofortresses"" over Japan.
After the war. Colonel McCoy made the first successful Japan-to-Washington, D.C, nonstop flight in the 'Fluffy Fuzz,' a B-29. In 1950 he pioneered a 42-
hour B-50 flight from the United States to Hawaii and back non-stop, proving the feasibility of an around the world flight in a bomber. He was project
officer on the first around the world non-stop flight successfully completed by a B-50 bomber, the Lucky Lady I.
Colonel McCoy enjoyed the distinction of being the dean of Strategic Air Command’s B-47 "Stratojet" commanders. When the United States Air Force
made its decision to equip SAC with the B-47, it was Colonel McCoy who took delivery of the first "combat type" B-47. He was commander of the first
B-47 wing, the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, near Tampa, Florida. Within two years he had formed, trained to combat-readiness,
and led his original B-47 wing, the 306th, on the first successful rotation of a SAC jet bomber force to Fairford, England from MacDill. They broke all
existing speed records on the trip over and when they returned, broke them again. On their initial rotation Colonel McCoy solidified SAC's position as
a Global Force utilizing jet aircraft.
To assure that the B-47 would assume a truly intercontinental stature, he was instrumental in pioneering and developing the present system of aerial
refueling now in use throughout the Air Force. His list of personal decorations included Legion of Merit. Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and
Air Medal. Some of these medals were recently donated to McCoy Elementary School in Orlando, FLorida, by my mother, the Colonel's daughter,
Pamela Anne McCoy.
McCoy was married to Alice Kimball, my mom's mom, my grandmother, for 22 years. They were hitched mainly during the fabulous forties and fifties.
My grandmother's maiden name was Alice Kimball and, sadly, she passed in the 90's although she lived a nice long life. She had the distinction ealry
in her career of writing a nationally syndicated fashion column titled "Babette" for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner in her day, a Hearst newspaper,
featuring all the latest fashion happenings and trends of the day.
I recently found some of her assessments of the Twenties Hollywood Goddess and silent film starlet, Louise Brooks. She had a sumptuous flair for
the written word and somehow managed to pass the talent down to her daughters and grandsons.
"The fragile beauty of lace lends itself to the graceful lines of the newest evening gowns that dip and drape with the aid of fluttering panels and uneven
hemlines. This one, in beige, is worn by Louise Brooks."
To be continued....
graduation from high school he became a professional boxer and was billed as the "Keel McCoy." Later he became a newspaper reporter for the Los
Angeles Herald Examiner, a William Hearst owned newspaper. Still later he operated a private flying school in California. His colorful career included
many incidents which classified him as a legendary figure as well as a pioneer airman.
After World War II broke, Colonel McCoy joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and served as a ferry pilot and instructor. He trained Canadian
pilots in the old Hudson Bomber until 1942 at which time he transferred as a captain to the U.S. Army Air Corps. At this time, McCoy arguably had
logged more flight hours than any pilot in the world. In June of 1945 while serving with the 315th Bomb Wing on Guam, Colonel McCoy flew 22
missions in B29 "Stratofortresses"" over Japan.
After the war. Colonel McCoy made the first successful Japan-to-Washington, D.C, nonstop flight in the 'Fluffy Fuzz,' a B-29. In 1950 he pioneered a 42-
hour B-50 flight from the United States to Hawaii and back non-stop, proving the feasibility of an around the world flight in a bomber. He was project
officer on the first around the world non-stop flight successfully completed by a B-50 bomber, the Lucky Lady I.
Colonel McCoy enjoyed the distinction of being the dean of Strategic Air Command’s B-47 "Stratojet" commanders. When the United States Air Force
made its decision to equip SAC with the B-47, it was Colonel McCoy who took delivery of the first "combat type" B-47. He was commander of the first
B-47 wing, the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, near Tampa, Florida. Within two years he had formed, trained to combat-readiness,
and led his original B-47 wing, the 306th, on the first successful rotation of a SAC jet bomber force to Fairford, England from MacDill. They broke all
existing speed records on the trip over and when they returned, broke them again. On their initial rotation Colonel McCoy solidified SAC's position as
a Global Force utilizing jet aircraft.
To assure that the B-47 would assume a truly intercontinental stature, he was instrumental in pioneering and developing the present system of aerial
refueling now in use throughout the Air Force. His list of personal decorations included Legion of Merit. Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and
Air Medal. Some of these medals were recently donated to McCoy Elementary School in Orlando, FLorida, by my mother, the Colonel's daughter,
Pamela Anne McCoy.
McCoy was married to Alice Kimball, my mom's mom, my grandmother, for 22 years. They were hitched mainly during the fabulous forties and fifties.
My grandmother's maiden name was Alice Kimball and, sadly, she passed in the 90's although she lived a nice long life. She had the distinction ealry
in her career of writing a nationally syndicated fashion column titled "Babette" for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner in her day, a Hearst newspaper,
featuring all the latest fashion happenings and trends of the day.
I recently found some of her assessments of the Twenties Hollywood Goddess and silent film starlet, Louise Brooks. She had a sumptuous flair for
the written word and somehow managed to pass the talent down to her daughters and grandsons.
"The fragile beauty of lace lends itself to the graceful lines of the newest evening gowns that dip and drape with the aid of fluttering panels and uneven
hemlines. This one, in beige, is worn by Louise Brooks."
To be continued....
Not sure of the circumstances around this really awesome shot. McCoy did a stint as a reporter for the Los
Angeles Herald Examiner in his earlier days, which might explain the "Press Car" sign. It doesn't, however,
explain the cool sidearm - but, really, does it need to? He's just exuding a wicked, studly cool here!
Angeles Herald Examiner in his earlier days, which might explain the "Press Car" sign. It doesn't, however,
explain the cool sidearm - but, really, does it need to? He's just exuding a wicked, studly cool here!
Okay, let's get right to it. Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy was my grandfather (and a few others' too) and a pretty big deal in military aviation,
particularly in Orlando where he lived until he perished at the young age of 52, on his birthday no less, and, ironically, while flying. But what made the
man so memorable? Well, that covers a lot of territory so let's just run down a few of his accomplishments in his short life. Mike was born in Orleans,
Indiana in 1905. He was a horse rancher, moved to California, was a boxer under the name "Keel" McCoy, went to work for the Hearst newspaper outfit
where he became a Master Engraver, started up an aviation school, organized a Civil Air Patrol, joined the RCAF and became a ferry pilot taking
planes over to the war efforts, flew one of the first missions to bomb Germany during the war, participated on 12 of 22 bombing missions to destroy oil
refineries in Japan, was put in charge of both MacDill Air Force Base and later Pine Castle Air Force Base, helped pioneer in-flight refueling, was the
"Dean" of the B-47 Stratojet bombers that helped win World War II and more. Mike once had to jump from a disabled plane when his parachute didn't
open. He managed to land in a snowdrift and survived shaken up but unharmed. He walked straight to the parachute packer, threw the chute on the
table in front of him and announced, "It didn't open." That's the kind of guy he was. In my dear Mom's words, "He was a man's man" and testimonials
I've received over the years back this up pretty reliably. There's more, so read on.
particularly in Orlando where he lived until he perished at the young age of 52, on his birthday no less, and, ironically, while flying. But what made the
man so memorable? Well, that covers a lot of territory so let's just run down a few of his accomplishments in his short life. Mike was born in Orleans,
Indiana in 1905. He was a horse rancher, moved to California, was a boxer under the name "Keel" McCoy, went to work for the Hearst newspaper outfit
where he became a Master Engraver, started up an aviation school, organized a Civil Air Patrol, joined the RCAF and became a ferry pilot taking
planes over to the war efforts, flew one of the first missions to bomb Germany during the war, participated on 12 of 22 bombing missions to destroy oil
refineries in Japan, was put in charge of both MacDill Air Force Base and later Pine Castle Air Force Base, helped pioneer in-flight refueling, was the
"Dean" of the B-47 Stratojet bombers that helped win World War II and more. Mike once had to jump from a disabled plane when his parachute didn't
open. He managed to land in a snowdrift and survived shaken up but unharmed. He walked straight to the parachute packer, threw the chute on the
table in front of him and announced, "It didn't open." That's the kind of guy he was. In my dear Mom's words, "He was a man's man" and testimonials
I've received over the years back this up pretty reliably. There's more, so read on.
COLONEL MICHAEL NORMAN WRIGHT MCCOY
History's Dean of the B-47 Stratojets / Pg 1 - Pg 2 - Pg 3 - Pg 4 - Pg 5 - Pg 6 - Timeline
History's Dean of the B-47 Stratojets / Pg 1 - Pg 2 - Pg 3 - Pg 4 - Pg 5 - Pg 6 - Timeline
Page 1 - Intro and Early Years - 1905-1930
McCoy Milestones (in progress)
- 1945 As an Operations Officer, McCoy goes on 12 combat missions over Japan in the B-29 “Stratofortress” while serving with the 315th
Bomb Wing on Guam. - 1947 McCoy is Chief of Maintenance for Far East Air Material Command and a Lt. Colonel.
- 1950 McCoy appointed as project officer on the first around the world non-stop flight successfully completed by the B-50, “Lucky :Lady I.”
- 1953 McCoy breaks existing transatlantic flight speed record.
- 1954 Colonel Michael N.W. McCoy is appointed commander of the 321st Bombardment Wing.