Major General John "Jock" P. Henebry
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force (USAF)

Background
John Philip Henebry was born on February 14, 1918 to parents Joseph Henebry and Hannah Blair in Plainfield, Illinois. Nicknamed "Jock". He enrolled at the University of Notre Dame class of 1940.

Wartime History
On July 30, 1940 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) and learned to fly at Randolph Field and Kelly Field in Texas and earned his wings. On March 14, 1941 commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. On June 20, 1941 became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). Assigned to the 22nd Bomb Group (22nd BG) at Langley Field in Virginia. Next, transferred to the newly formed 13th Bomb Group (13th BG) at Orlando, Florida and learned to fly the B-25 Mitchell.

During June 1942 sent overseas and assigned to the 3rd Attack Group (3rd Attack) at Charters Towers Airfield then moved to Port Moresby in New Guinea. Henebry was largely responsible for the conversion of the B-25 Mitchell from a medium bomber into a strafer variant with additional machine guns in the nose that was implemented by "Pappy" Gunn.

On March 3, 1943 participated in the Battle of The Bismark Sea, B-25 strafers were used for low level skip bombing and strafing with great success. During July 1943, he became Commanding Officer (C.O.) of the 90th Bombardment Squadron (90th BS).

On November 2, 1943 Major Henebry led a low level bombing and strafing mission against Rabaul. The formation included 185 fighters and bombers and was one of the largest missions to date in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). During the mission, Henebry piloted B-25D "The Notre Dame de Victoire" 41-30316 and was credited with sinking two ships before he was damaged in one engine by an enemy fighter and returning ditched off Kiriwina without injury to him or his crew.

During November 1943 he became the Commanding Officer (C. O.) of the entire 3rd Bombardment Group (3rd BG). Later, moved to Dobodura, Nadzab and Hollandia, Leyte and Mindoro.

Late in 1944, Henebry became the Commanding Officer (C.O.) of Far East Air Force - Combat Replacement and Training Center (FEAF-CRTC) at Nadzab Airfield until the end of the Pacific War. On September 2, 1945 he was aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63) with General Douglas MacArthur and General George C. Kenney when Japan signed the instrument of surrender. Henebry became the commander of Clark Field on Luzon in the Philippines then the largest American overseas base then retired with the rank of Colonel.

Postwar
During 1946, he and his brother Joseph founded Skymotive private aviation service company at O’Hare. In addition, he owned a number of stainless steel and aluminum fabrication businesses. Next, he joined the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Reserves and became the commander of the 437th Troop Carrier Wing (437th TCW) at O’Hare Field. On February 14, 1948 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on his 30th birthday.

Korean War
During August 1950 the 437th Troop Carrier Wing was sent overseas to Japan and Korea as part of the Combat Cargo Command during the Korean War. The 437th was combined to form the newly created 312th Air Division and Henebry became the first commander.

In August, 1952 he returned to Air Force Reserve duty. During August 1957 promoted to the rank of Major General. In 1976 he retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) after 37 years of military duty. During 2002, in retirement, Henebry wrote his autobiography, The Grim Reapers At Work in the Pacific Theatre about his experiences during World War II.

Memorials
On September 30, 2007 Henebry died of heart failure at age 89 surrounded by his family at Evanston Hospital in Illinois.

Awards
During World War II he received every medal, except the Medal of Honor, including the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), Legion of Merit, Silver Star, Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Unit citations. During the Korean War, by appointment of the Queen, he was named an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) and received the Korean Ulchi Medal with gold star from the Republic of Korea.

Relatives
Joseph Henebry (brother)

References
John Philip Henebry Obituary October 1, 2007
The Grim Reapers At Work in the Pacific Theatre (2002) by John "Jock" P. Henebry

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