Homer Jackson Humphrey

Mr. H. J. Humphrey, 90, of Biloxi, MS, died Friday, November 24, 2006, in Gulfport. Mr. Humphrey was a native of Aberdeen and a resident of the coast for more than 40 years. Originally trained in 1941 as an Army Air Corps radio operator, by 1944, Mr. Humphrey completed more than a score of combat missions as bombardier in the 95th Bomber Group, Eighth Air Force, aboard the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, "Roaring Bill". For "extraordinary achievement", he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and was also the holder of the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. In September 1944 he was sent to Selman Army Air Field, Louisiana, for redeployment training. In January, 1947, he was assigned to Ellington AAF, Texas, where he went into the administration field. In February 1950, he came to Keesler AFB, MS, for the first of four tours here and went into the electronics maintenance field, the field where he would work for the next 42 years. Besides Keesler, he saw duty at Smokey Hill AFB, Kansas, and Vietnam, where he served as an advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force Communications-Electronics School at Nha Trang, Vietnam, from August 1965 to August 1966. He retired from active duty at Keesler on December 31, 1967. On September 5, 1968, he returned to Keesler as a civilian instructor of electronic principles. Later, he switched to ground radio and retired August 3, 1992, from the 3410th Technical Training Squadron with 50 years, 1 month, and 12 days of service. Other meritorious awards earned by Mr. Humphrey include the Bronze Star, the Euopean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 stars, the Vietnam Service medal, and three letters of commendation. Mr. Humphrey was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Humphrey of Aberdeen and a daughter, Mrs. Mary C. Polensky of Charleston, SC. Survivors include his devoted wife of 62 years, Mrs. Mary B. Humphrey, of Biloxi; a daughter, Ms. Mamie Humphrey of Biloxi; a sister, Ms. Ruth G. Humphrey of Chelsea, AL, and eight grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church Tuesday, November 28, 2006, at 11 a.m. where friends may visit one hour before service time. Rev. Charles Nutter, Associate Pastor, at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport will officiate. Interment will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.