| The late McCoy's third wife of 3 years, Rose, was in attendance for the honors. Pine Castle AFB Renamed to McCoy AFB - Ceremonies Honor McCoy's Passing |
| Wonderful site called "Together We Served" has a nice recap of McCoy's chronologies and service. Well done. |
On a trip to Washington, D.C., I had the honor of visiting McCoy's final resting place in nearby Arlington cemetery,
just a Mom as well, your daughter Pamela Anne, my Aunt Penny, and my grandmother "Babs," real name Alice. There
must be one hell of a family reunion going on up in Heaven right now.
just a Mom as well, your daughter Pamela Anne, my Aunt Penny, and my grandmother "Babs," real name Alice. There
must be one hell of a family reunion going on up in Heaven right now.
The MCO letter coding used to indicate Orlando's International Airport were selected as "MCO" to honor the death of
Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy and his last-ditch effort to pilot a fiery, disabled bomber away from crowds and
school children at an air show on October 9th, 1957. Though the plane exploded over an empty field, McCoy perished
as a hero.ero.
Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy and his last-ditch effort to pilot a fiery, disabled bomber away from crowds and
school children at an air show on October 9th, 1957. Though the plane exploded over an empty field, McCoy perished
as a hero.ero.
| Could use some help. Does anyone know where this commemorative plaque was mounted and where it is located now? It reads: In Memory Of Michael N. W. McCoy Aerospace Pioneer Presented By The Citizens Of Orlando October 8, 1965 |
The military service medals of Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy.
Left to Right Starting with Top Center
Legion of Merit - Top Center
The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the
performance of meritorious service to the United States. The performance must merit recognition by individuals in a key position which was
performed in a clearly exceptional manner.
Distinguished Flying Cross - 1st Row 1st Position
The Distinguished Flying Cross may be awarded to military members who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish
themselves by heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight
Bronze Star - 1st Row 2nd Position
The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat
theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight.
Air Medal - 1st Row 3rd Position
The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism,
outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
American Campaign Medal - 2nd Row 1st Position
The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of
Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the
same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent
assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service
outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days;
or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a
corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United
States for an aggregate period of one year.
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal - 2nd Row 2nd Position
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941,
and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger
status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of
Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or
independent force that the individual actually participated in combat.
World War II Victory Medal - 2nd Row 3rd Position
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Army of Occupation 1945-1990 - 3rd Row 1st Position
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April
1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either
Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan.
The National Defense Service Medal - 3rd Row 2nd Position
Awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian
Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected
Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy
personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training
Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal.
Air Force Longevity Award - 3rd Row 3rd Position
It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of
the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the
uniform.
Left to Right Starting with Top Center
Legion of Merit - Top Center
The Legion of Merit is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States without degree for exceptionally outstanding conduct in the
performance of meritorious service to the United States. The performance must merit recognition by individuals in a key position which was
performed in a clearly exceptional manner.
Distinguished Flying Cross - 1st Row 1st Position
The Distinguished Flying Cross may be awarded to military members who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish
themselves by heroism or outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight
Bronze Star - 1st Row 2nd Position
The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States in a combat
theater, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service not involving aerial flight.
Air Medal - 1st Row 3rd Position
The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism,
outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
American Campaign Medal - 2nd Row 1st Position
The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of
Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the
same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent
assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service
outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days;
or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a
corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United
States for an aggregate period of one year.
Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal - 2nd Row 2nd Position
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941,
and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger
status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of
Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or
independent force that the individual actually participated in combat.
World War II Victory Medal - 2nd Row 3rd Position
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Army of Occupation 1945-1990 - 3rd Row 1st Position
The Army of Occupation Medal is a military award of the United States military which was established by the United States War Department on 5 April
1946. The medal was created in the aftermath of the Second World War to recognize those who had performed occupation service in either
Germany, Italy, Austria, or Japan.
The National Defense Service Medal - 3rd Row 2nd Position
Awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian
Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected
Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy
personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training
Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal.
Air Force Longevity Award - 3rd Row 3rd Position
It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of
the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the
uniform.
| Here are images of the medals represented by the ribbon bars. McCoy racked up 10 medals in 15 years of service. |
Page 5 - After McCoy - 1958+
Nice one-page tribute set up by a "Grateful American." I am
hereby grateful to that "Grateful American."
US Army Registry Website Link
hereby grateful to that "Grateful American."
US Army Registry Website Link
Posthumous Observances
| https://www.facebook.com/eric.linquist/videos/10153347350903261/ And now, a word from Colonel Mike McCoy! (Sort of...) |
Found this interesting article (with bad photo) from the St. Pete Times 2 days after McCoy's unexpected
passing. Haven't figured out how to get it to post any larger yet. Enjoyed the writer's praiseful
descriptions such as "bone-crushing handshake," "barnstorming pilot" and "flock of medals". McCoy was
highly regarded then and remains an enduring presence today in the history of aviation.
passing. Haven't figured out how to get it to post any larger yet. Enjoyed the writer's praiseful
descriptions such as "bone-crushing handshake," "barnstorming pilot" and "flock of medals". McCoy was
highly regarded then and remains an enduring presence today in the history of aviation.
| A nice historical little vignette that gives props to recap! |
My mom and dad gave me this Strategic Air Command patch and a few others in the mid-sixties, so that tells me
they're likely originals. I was told this was the type of patch McCoy would have worn at one time. But when I search
on the Internet, I see a million permutations of the color schemes and dimensions for this patch. Do any of our
military buffs out there know how one differentiates the legit and original patch from non-GI versions and copies, or
they can vary in appearance from auction to auction. I've seen black borders, clouds all white with no interior
"puffiness" lines, gauntlet stripes versus dots, etc. Were these patches just a dime a dozen and had to be only
generally correct? Was there the option back then for supply sergeants to order them with a, "Go ahead and make
that border yellow this time."? Seems like military dress was so defined that there would not be much wiggle room
on these patches. Anyone?
Bruce Hertsch: I collected patches for some years. There are changes over time, plus a certain amount of
difference between suppliers at times. Not so much on a supply level at a base. I was in the AF for 22 years and saw
both gradual and sudden changes in patches during that time. That is a nice SAC patch, unusual in the white border
(usually it is yellow) but for all I know it was worn with a white border for years. Definitely a genuine looking patch.
Rich Al Bee: If you got this in the mid sixties, it is legit!! Just for information purposes, I am going to start collecting
historical items like this for a future tribute display at OIA.
they're likely originals. I was told this was the type of patch McCoy would have worn at one time. But when I search
on the Internet, I see a million permutations of the color schemes and dimensions for this patch. Do any of our
military buffs out there know how one differentiates the legit and original patch from non-GI versions and copies, or
they can vary in appearance from auction to auction. I've seen black borders, clouds all white with no interior
"puffiness" lines, gauntlet stripes versus dots, etc. Were these patches just a dime a dozen and had to be only
generally correct? Was there the option back then for supply sergeants to order them with a, "Go ahead and make
that border yellow this time."? Seems like military dress was so defined that there would not be much wiggle room
on these patches. Anyone?
Bruce Hertsch: I collected patches for some years. There are changes over time, plus a certain amount of
difference between suppliers at times. Not so much on a supply level at a base. I was in the AF for 22 years and saw
both gradual and sudden changes in patches during that time. That is a nice SAC patch, unusual in the white border
(usually it is yellow) but for all I know it was worn with a white border for years. Definitely a genuine looking patch.
Rich Al Bee: If you got this in the mid sixties, it is legit!! Just for information purposes, I am going to start collecting
historical items like this for a future tribute display at OIA.
This is SAC patch I have from the early 1980s. I was in SAC at that time and this is one I got.
