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- CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) -- H. Kelley "Bud" Flesher passed away on Sept. 24, 2024.
Bud Flesher was born on Dec. 19, 1932 in Weston, West Virginia to Hubert J. Flesher and Mildred L. Kelley Flesher.
He attended school and graduated from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
He had an appointment to West Point but chose instead to join the Air Force at the start of the Korean Conflict, He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on April 10, 1951, and after completing basic training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, he completed Radar Mechanic training at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, in April 1952.
His first assignment was at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. During this assignment, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program to do what he had always wanted to do- fly. He earned his commission as a 2nd Lt. and his pilot wings at Bryan AFB, Texas, on July 22, 1954, Class of 54N. Lt. Flesher next completed F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training, and then served as an instructor pilot at Tyndall AFB, Florida, from March 1955 to February 1957.
His next assignment was as a Flight Test Maintenance Officer at Tyndall AFB and then at Moody AFB, Georgia, choosing Flight Test to insure he was able to get maximum flying time when the need for flying officers was low. This was followed by an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to Oklahoma State University, where he completed his bachelors degree in April 1962.
Capt. Flesher then served in various positions at Stewart AFB, New York, and Selfridge AFB, Michigan. He qualified as an F-4 Phantom II pilot with the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Woodbridge, England, from March to October 1966, when he deployed to Southeast Asia.
Captain Flesher served as an F-4 pilot with the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron at DaNang AB, South Vietnam, from October 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on Dec. 2, 1966. After spending 2,271 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming on February 18, 1973.
Lt. Col. Flesher then completed pilot re-qualification training at Randolph AFB, Texas, the Freedom Program, in which he was designated as "Freedom Zero One," the first pilot of all services to be requalified.
His final flying assignment was in F-106 Delta Darts with the 84th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Castle AFB, CA, from March 1974 until his retirement from the Air Force on Sept. 1, 1976.
His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads: "Captain Hubert K. Flesher distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 25 November 1966. On that date, on two separate missions, he conducted air to ground operations against a heavily defended surface to air missile convoy that had been discovered moving South toward the Demilitarized Zone. On the second mission of that day, Captain Fleshers aircraft was hit by hostile ground fire, but he continued to press multiple attacks until his ordnance was expended, then with complete disregard for his own safety and completely defenseless, Captain Flesher continued to make multiple dry passes against the defenses drawing enemy ground fire away from the other aircraft in his flight. This courageous and aggressive act against overwhelming odds resulted in the destruction of an important target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Flesher has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."
Bud married the love of his life, Pamela Duncan, in 1989. Together they bought a semiconductor company and grew it into a successful business.
During this time, they enjoyed traveling all over the world, eating lobster and flying his 601P Aerostar, N57CB, with their beloved dogs and cats. He continued to read and study history, and encouraging any young person to consider his revered military as a career.
Bud retired fully from business life in 2005 and he and Pamela settled at a private airport community outside of Fredericksburg, Texas.
However, as a retired career military officer, he considered most places as TDY (temporary duty), so they also lived in Pensacola, FL where he served as a Docent at the National Naval Aviation Museum on NAS, Pensacola and in San Antonio, Texas. He continued to seek adventure and enjoy his retirement with Pamela and his pets.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Flesher; stepdaughter, Shannon Szonye and her wife Beatrix Szonye; niece, Shahn McGuire and her husband Dan OBryant; cousins, Don and Lisa Pethtel and their children D in West Virginia and Kaylee and her husband Clay Chipps in the Washington, D.C., area.
Buds ashes will be mixed with his beloved pets and ultimately Pamelas, and scattered in their favorite places around the world.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local veterans association or your local no-kill animal shelter.
https://www.wvnews.com/theet/obituaries/h-kelley-bud-flesher/article_4fb4c8a0-b46d-5c89-a53f-703260a73b6f.html
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1932 - 2024 (91 years)
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