Obituary: Horn, Wayne L.
Age 91
(Lt. Col. USAF, Ret.
)
Wayne L. Horn: born July 19, 1920; passed away April 1, 2012.
We lost another member of the Greatest Generation.
Wayne was born and raised on a farm in Auburn, New York.
As a teenager he became involved in open wheel and motorcycle racing and built his own half mile dirt racetrack on his dad’s farm.
After Pearl Harbor, in December, 1941 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet.
In 1942 he graduated as a pilot and 2nd Lieutenant.
He was a charter member of the 385th Bomb Group (B-17’s) which was activated at Geiger Field in early 1943.
He flew B-17 bombers over Nazi Europe in 1943 and 1944 and made Captain in November, 1943.
He received many decorations, including Distinguished Flying Cross, several Presidential Unit Citations and five Air medals.
He served as B-17 instructor pilot/flight commander for several years upon his return to the U.S. After attending intelligence schools he served as Assistant Air AttachĂŠto Greece from 1948 through 1952, during the Greek/Communist War.
Upon the start of the Cold War he returned to his bomber background, becoming one of the first pilots in the B-47 and B-52 jet bomber program.
As a B-52 instructor pilot he flew many 24-hour airborne alert missions.
Subsequently, he held several staff positions at Wing, Air Division and Air Force level.
He retired in 1969 and soon received his Master’s Degree in Police Science and Administration.
In “retirement” Wayne founded a horse/stock trailer business and saddle shop.
He also owned and ran two cattle ranches, one in Joseph, Oregon and one in the Spokane area.
He is survived by his wife, Lillian; sons: Gary (Ellen), Glenn (Stephanie) and daughter, Janice (Bill).
Wayne will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
We love you.
Visitation will be Monday, April 9, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
A graveside service with full military honors will be held Tuesday, April 10, at 11:15 at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 West Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA.
Please visit Wayne’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by