James Homer Elliott

ELLIOTT-Lt. Col. James H. Elliott USAF (Ret.) 91, loving husband and father earned his final set of wings passing peacefully at home in Albuquerque, NM on Monday, October 26, 2020. Jim was born in 1929 in Elsberry, MO. to Thomas Homer and Margaret Stone Elliott.  James was preceded in death by his beloved wife and best friend Louise Elliott, daughter Nicole Elliott Rohrbough and only sibling Jane Elliott Bowman. He is survived by his daughter, Kala Elliott and granddaughter Charlotte Rohrbough of Albuquerque, grandson Nicolaus Rohrbough and wife Pryansha of Fairbanks, AK; granddaughter Kaitlyn Roederer and husband Justin of Flagstaff, AZ; great-grandsons Ronan and Karver Roederer, niece Anne Bowman and nephews Thomas and Lynn Bowman of Kansas City. 

Growing up during the Depression and WWII with his only sibling Jane Elliott (Bowman), Jim developed a life-long love of trains along the mighty Mississippi. Jim attended Elsberry Elementary and High School graduating in 1947.

The following summer, Jim joined the Army and was sent to the 2nd Infantry Division near Tacoma, WA. Later, he received an appointment from MO. Congressman Clarence Cannon to take the entrance exams for the United States Military Academy in New York. Jim completed the West Point exams and entered the Academy in 1949. A main highlight was having lunch and sitting with President Truman during his visit to the Academy. Jims graduated with a B.S. degree in 1953 and entered the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. as he had a great desire to fly planes.

After successfully completing flight training and advanced fighter training at Nellis AFB in 1954, his first operational assignment was the 496th Fighter Intercept Squadron, where he flew T-38’s and checked out in the “D”. The squadron was moved to Hahn, AFB Germany and in 1955, Jim’s’ 496th Fighter-Interceptor squadron from Landstuhl was awarded the coveted Hughes trophy for “the most outstanding air defense unit in the world.” The Air Defense Squadron flew F-86D Sabrejets and specialized in night operations. The next assignment was Scott AFB in the Communications Officer School. Upon completion, he transferred to Nellis AFB where he was Base Communications Officer. Within a year, Jim was reassigned to the 4521st CCTS becoming an instructor pilot for students going through the F-100 program and attended the USAF Fighter Weapons School in 1961.  He was later interviewed by the Deputy Wing Commander and volunteered for the “Jungle Jim” program, a precursor of the 1st Air Commando Wind and the rebirth of special operations within the USAF. Jim was deployed TDY to Bien Hoa AB, SVN, where he flew combat missions in support of the SVN government. Over the years, Jim served as a line pilot or IP in various fighter squadrons in both the U.S. and overseas including two combat tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam conflict. Upon returning to Eglin AFB FL., Jim was an IP in the T-28 and A-1E, with a sideline classified project with the Mig-15.

In 1963, Jim met and married the love of his life, Louise Bryant. It was “love at first sight,” and they were married that September and remained so for over 47 years until Louise’s unexpected death in 2010. During this time, Jim received the Air Force Flight Safety “Well Done” Award for landing a crippled aircraft at a civilian field using a dead stick landing. While assigned to the 40th TFS/33rd TFW as an F-4C pilot, Jim was swiftly drafted to supplement the 8th TFW at George AFB on its deployment to Ubon AB, Thailand, where he was flight commander in the 433 TFS. During this time, they operated primarily as “night owl” squadron on missions to North Vietnam and Laos. The family then transferred to 17th AF Headquarters at Ramstein AB, Germany where Jim was a member of the Tac-Eval Team. Assignments included supplementing the NATO team on evaluating German and Canadian fighter wings to carry out their wartime missions. 

Upon returning stateside, Jim and family moved to the F-4C/D training unit at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. where he was an IP, flight commander and assistant ops officer. Jim’s final assignment was the Chief of the TAC Liaison Office at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, acting as a go-between for the tactical forces worldwide and the Albuquerque nuclear community.  Jim had a distinguished flying career with 147 combat missions. Awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 5 OLC, Squadron Operational Achievement, Outstanding Unit and Special Air Warfare Outstanding Aircrew.

Lt. Col. Elliott retired in Albuquerque in 1974.  Jim walked 2 miles daily; spent time cooking, birding, gardening, attending squadron reunions and traveling with Louise.  He attended graduate school and received his MBA in finance from UNM in 1983. After his wife’s passing, Jim continued to garden and traveled until the age of 89.

When his health and mind started to fade, his last couple of years were spent with his daughter and enjoying time with great-grandson Ronan, his “little Buddy.” Jim adored children and was a generous philanthropist and dedicated patriot. Jim was a charter member of the Natl. WWII Museum and staunch supporter of Veteran’s causes.

Jim led by example as an exceptional officer and gentleman, loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He will be remembered for his easy-going personality, generosity, accomplishments, humor and nerves of steel. We will forever miss you; your love, laughter and legacy lives on in the lives that you touched. 

Cremation has occurred and interment will be in Santa Fe National Cemetery beside his beloved wife and daughter Nicole. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches are requested.