DIETERLE, SCOT, KELSEY, PONTIOUS

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 06:01:49 :

Marin Independent Journal
Tuesday, October 8, 1985
Section A, page 4

JACK W. DIETERLE

Jack W. Dieterle of Novato died at home Saturday after a long illness. He was 68. Arrangements were pending at Keaton’s Chapel of Marin in Novato.

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Marin Independent Journal
Wednesday, October 9, 1985

COL. JACK W. DIETERLE

A private family service will be held for retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jack W. Dieterle of Novato.

Colonel Dieterle, 68, died at his home Saturday. He had been a Marin resident since 1962.

Colonel Dieterle attended Ohio State University on a track scholarship, receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration and industrial management. During his athletic career, he won many medals in the high hurdles and other track events. Before the 1936 Olympics, Colonel Dieterle finished second to Olympic great Jesse Owens at an Ohio State track meet.

In January 1942, Colonel Dieterle entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet and earned his commission the same year. During World War II, he flew combat missions over North Africa and Germany. In 1944, he commanded a squadron of B-24s that made a low-flying bombing assault on oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, a major battle in the war.

After the war, the colonel became deputy group commander for the first experimental guided missle (sic) group of Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. From 1950 to 1954, he was professor of air science at Pennsylvania State University. He later served as divisions plans officer at Osan Air Base in Korea.

After serving as deputy chief of staff of civil engineering in Turkey, Colonel Dieterle was assigned to Hamilton Air Force Base as director of engineering and construction.

His combat decorations include three Distinguished Flying Crosses, four Air Medals, and Air Force and Army commendation medals.

Survivors are his wife,Margaret; a daughter, Diane Scot; a son, Richard Dieterle; and two sisters, Betty Kelsey of Seattle and Mrs. Howard Pontious of College Park, Md.