Age 93. James Goodson, a decorated World War II fighter pilot and prisoner of war. Maj. Goodson was credited with destroying 30 enemy aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and other medals. Goodson, who was 18 in 1939 when he was rescued after a German U-Boat sank the unarmed British passenger ship SS Athenia off the coast of Ireland, started fighting the Nazis even before the U.S. entered the war, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires as a member of one of the Royal Air Force's Eagle Squadrons, made up of American volunteers.
He later joined the United States Army Air Force and flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, rising to commanding officer of 336 squadron, 4th Fighter Group, and escorting Allied bombers in bombing runs all the way to Berlin. Goodson was shot down and captured in June 1944 but eventually escaped and made his way the U.S. Third Army lines.
After the war, he was an executive for Goodyear Tire's European operations and spent time at Hoover headquarters in Switzerland, before joining International Telephone and Telegraph, rising to the position of president of consumer products and corporate vice president. His wife, Gwen, died last month. In addition to his son, he is survived by his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
He later joined the United States Army Air Force and flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, rising to commanding officer of 336 squadron, 4th Fighter Group, and escorting Allied bombers in bombing runs all the way to Berlin. Goodson was shot down and captured in June 1944 but eventually escaped and made his way the U.S. Third Army lines.
After the war, he was an executive for Goodyear Tire's European operations and spent time at Hoover headquarters in Switzerland, before joining International Telephone and Telegraph, rising to the position of president of consumer products and corporate vice president. His wife, Gwen, died last month. In addition to his son, he is survived by his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
Age 93. James Goodson, a decorated World War II fighter pilot and prisoner of war. Maj. Goodson was credited with destroying 30 enemy aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and other medals. Goodson, who was 18 in 1939 when he was rescued after a German U-Boat sank the unarmed British passenger ship SS Athenia off the coast of Ireland, started fighting the Nazis even before the U.S. entered the war, flying Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires as a member of one of the Royal Air Force's Eagle Squadrons, made up of American volunteers.
He later joined the United States Army Air Force and flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, rising to commanding officer of 336 squadron, 4th Fighter Group, and escorting Allied bombers in bombing runs all the way to Berlin. Goodson was shot down and captured in June 1944 but eventually escaped and made his way the U.S. Third Army lines.
After the war, he was an executive for Goodyear Tire's European operations and spent time at Hoover headquarters in Switzerland, before joining International Telephone and Telegraph, rising to the position of president of consumer products and corporate vice president. His wife, Gwen, died last month. In addition to his son, he is survived by his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
He later joined the United States Army Air Force and flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, rising to commanding officer of 336 squadron, 4th Fighter Group, and escorting Allied bombers in bombing runs all the way to Berlin. Goodson was shot down and captured in June 1944 but eventually escaped and made his way the U.S. Third Army lines.
After the war, he was an executive for Goodyear Tire's European operations and spent time at Hoover headquarters in Switzerland, before joining International Telephone and Telegraph, rising to the position of president of consumer products and corporate vice president. His wife, Gwen, died last month. In addition to his son, he is survived by his daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
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