James B. Busey IV

James Buchanan Busey IV
James Buchanan Busey IV
	Admiral James B. Busey IV in May 1986
14th United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation
	In office; November 25, 1991 – 1992
Preceded by	Elaine Chao
Succeeded by	Mortimer L. Downey
Personal details
Born	October 2, 1932 (age 91); Peoria, Illinois
Awards	Navy Cross; Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3); Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3); Legion of Merit (5); Distinguished Flying Cross (3); Bronze Star Medal
Nickname	"Jim"
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1952–1989
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Naval Air Station Lemoore; VA-216; VFA-125
Battles/wars	Vietnam War

Admiral James Buchanan Busey IV (born October 7, 1932) is a retired United States Navy four star admiral.^[1] 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 7, 1932 in the city of Peoria, Illinois, son of James Buchanan Busey III and Louise (née Rogers).^[2] 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

In January 1967, Busey was transferred to the Attack Squadron 163 ("Saints") and served as a pilot in Vietnam War. During combat near Hanoi, North Vietnam, Busey commanded the group of six aircraft with the task of bombing the Hanoi thermal power plant.

Despite the damage of Busey's aircraft by North Vietnamese Anti-Aircraft guns, he regained control of his plane and continued his mission. Busey destroyed the target and returned to USS Oriskany (CV-34). For this action, Busey received the Navy Cross.^[3]

Busey's other decorations from Vietnam War included the Legion of Merit with "V" Device, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medal and 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.^[4] 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.^[5]

Personal life

Busey married Jean L. Cole.^[6] 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;^[7] 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, CA; mother of Rose.

Nancy J. B. Busey, married to Dennis Naumann, of Grass Valley, CA; mother of Cole.^[8]^[9]

Awards

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

^ "Public papers of the Presidents of the United States, Volume 2"
^ Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
^ "Valor awards for James Buchanan Busey IV – Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
^ "Larger role for aviation center" The Telegraph (Nashua). 20 December 1989
^ http://ir.curtisswright.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=308067
^ Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
^ https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/james-b-busey-v
^ https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hanfordsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=james-buchanan-busey-v&pid=107172289
^ https://www.theunion.com/news/james-busey-v

External links

Biographic information

Government offices
Preceded by T. Allan McArtor	Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration 1989–1991	Succeeded by Thomas C. Richards

[1] "Public papers of the Presidents of the United States, Volume 2"

[2] Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127

[3] "Valor awards for James Buchanan Busey IV – Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-11-28.

[4] "Larger role for aviation center" The Telegraph (Nashua). 20 December 1989

[5] ttp://ir.curtisswright.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=308067

[6] Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127

[7] ttps://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/james-b-busey-v

[8] ttps://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hanfordsentinel/obituary.aspx?n=james-buchanan-busey-v&pid=107172289

[9] ttps://www.theunion.com/news/james-busey-v

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]