James Buchanan Busey IV
Busey as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 1989
5th United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation
In office
December 4, 1991  February 21, 1992[1]
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
SecretarySamuel K. Skinner
Preceded byElaine Chao
Succeeded byMortimer L. Downey
11th Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
In office
June 30, 1989  December 4, 1991
PresidentGeorge H. W. Bush
Preceded byT. Allan McArtor
Succeeded byThomas C. Richards
22nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations
In office
September 1985  March 1987[2]
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byRonald J. Hays
Succeeded byHuntington Hardisty
Personal details
Born(1932-10-02)October 2, 1932
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 21, 2023(2023-04-21) (aged 90)
Lincoln, California, U.S.
Nickname"Jim"
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1952–1989
RankAdmiral
Commands
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards

James Buchanan Busey IV (October 2, 1932 – April 21, 2023) was an American government official and four-star admiral of the United States Navy.[3] He served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1985 to 1987 and as Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe from 1987 to 1989.

Early years

James Buchanan Busey IV was born on October 2, 1932, in the city of Peoria, Illinois, son of James Buchanan Busey III and Louise (née Rogers).[4][5] In January 1952, Busey entered the United States Navy and attended the basic training at Boot Camp of Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. In March 1953, Busey was chosen to Aviation Cadet Training Program at Pensacola, Florida.

During the years 1967, Busey served at various Naval posts, including Naval Air Station Cecil Field or Naval Air Station Jacksonville. In July 1964, Busey attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and earned there his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Vietnam War

Admiral Busey in May 1986

In January 1967, Busey was transferred to the Attack Squadron 163 ("Saints") and served as a pilot in Vietnam War. During one operation near Hanoi, North Vietnam, Busey commanded a group of six aircraft with the task of bombing the Hanoi thermal power plant. Despite the damage caused to his aircraft by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire, Busey regained control of his plane and continued his mission. Busey destroyed the target and returned to USS Oriskany (CV-34). For this action, he received the Navy Cross.[6]

Busey's other decorations from the Vietnam War included the Legion of Merit with "V" Device, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and a Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

Retirement

After retiring from the navy, Busey served as the chief administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from 1989 to 1991.[7] He then served as United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1991 to 1992. Afterwards, he became a board member at Curtiss-Wright until 2008.[8]

Busey died in Lincoln, California, on April 21, 2023.[9][10]

Personal life

Busey married Jean L. Cole.[11] Their children are:

  • James Buchanan Busey V (1962–2008), chief engineer of unmanned aerial vehicle testing at the Naval Air Test Center, Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, and member of the National Transportation Safety Board;[12] with his wife, Charlotte (m. 1992) father of James Buchanan Busey VI and of Jessica Lynn Busey.
  • Angela R. B. Busey, married to Michael Presto, of Fresno, California.
  • Nancy J. B. Busey, married to Dennis Naumann, of Grass Valley, California.[13][14]

Awards

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
V
V
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Silver star
Bronze star
Gold star
Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row Navy Cross
2nd Row Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters Navy Distinguished Service Medal with two gold award stars Legion of Merit with four Gold Stars and "V" Device
3rd Row Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device Air Medal with gold award numeral 5 and bronze Strike/flight numeral 20
4th Row Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars and "V" Device Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" Device Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze service star
5th Row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with two bronze Stars Navy Expeditionary Medal China Service Medal
6th Row National Defense Service Medal with one bronze Star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with six service stars
7th Row Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Navy Distinguished Service Order 2nd Class Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one Gold Star
8th Row Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal 1st Class Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. Whitnah, Donald Robert (1998). U.S. Department of Transportation: A Reference History. Greenwood Press. p. 165. ISBN 9780313283406.
  2. "James B. Busey, Admiral USN (Ret.), NA #5081" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. "Public papers of the Presidents of the United States, Volume 2"
  4. "James Busey – Recipient –". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  5. Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
  6. "Valor awards for James Buchanan Busey IV – Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  7. "Larger role for aviation center" The Telegraph (Nashua). 20 December 1989
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-29. Retrieved 2012-09-20.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "James Busey Obituary". Trident Society. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  10. "Admiral James B Busey, IV USN | National Air and Space Museum". airandspace.si.edu. Retrieved 2023-05-25.
  11. Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
  12. "James B. Busey V | National Air and Space Museum".
  13. "James Busey V Obituary (2008) – Monterey, CA – the Hanford Sentinel". Legacy.com.
  14. "James Busey V". 2 April 2008.
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