January 10, 1924 - December 18, 2014
Harry Walter Colmery Jr., 90, died on Thursday December 18, 2014 at Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, California. Born January 10, 1924 in Topeka, Kansas to Minerva Hiserodt and Harry Colmery, he had two sisters, Sarah Colmery and Mary Colmery Olander, who pre-deceased him.
After graduating from Topeka High, Harry attended Dartmouth College on the GI Bill, which, coincidentally, was authored by his father. The outbreak of WWII caused Harry to join the Marine Corps where he was soon designated a Naval Aviator. After training at MC Air Station Santa Barbara, he was first assigned to ferrying replacement fighters across the Pacific and then to the famed fighter squadron VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" who were already engaged in the Battle of Okinawa. Colmery saw limited action as the squadron next prepared for the invasion of Japan.
Harry then returned to Dartmouth College graduating in 1946. He attended University of Virginia law school for one year but as a reservist was mobilized when the Korean conflict broke out and he was soon returned to his old squadron, now located at El Toro, CA. The squadron was next based in Pusan flying close air missions in support of the Marines. In November 1950, as the Marines were surrounded by the Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir, Harry's squadron was called on to fly non-stop sorties to support the encircled troops. On the 29th, Harry's F-4U Corsair was hit by enemy ground fire. He was too low to parachute but crash landed in an open area between the Chinese and Marine lines. Harry's sprint across the frozen snow covered ground is recorded in the book "Breakout". As he wrestled free from his wrecked plane, a squad of Chinese troops emerged from their lines. That Harry managed to outrun them while being shot at served as a great moral booster to the Marines cheering from their hillside fighting positions while the dejected Chinese were forced to withdraw without their prize.
Harry would continue to fly over 100 missions and was shot down again in 1951 when his Corsair was jumped by a flight of Yak fighter planes. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic flying in an engagement in late 1951. Although he was immensely proud to be a Marine, Harry spoke little about his accomplishments; the sadness of witnessing his wingman and best friend 1st Lt. Frank Stratton shot down and killed never left him.
After the war, Harry began a long and distinguished banking career in San Francisco, where he was known for his integrity and dedication to his clients. Harry met Sallie Morphy of Pasadena where they married in 1955. In 1965, now with three children, the couple left San Francisco and relocated back to Pasadena, where they lived for over 40 years. Harry's banking career thrived as a partner and Managing Director of William R. Staats, and later a Senior VP of Crocker Bank. Harry first attempted retiring in 1985, but growing restless, he returned to work joining the Capital Guardian Trust Company where he remained until 2007.
Harry served on numerous boards including California Hydroforming, Phase One, Airgain, Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena and as Trustee Emeritus at Occidental College. Harry was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier and also loved fly fishing, hunting and cycling. He continued flying with his family for many years Harry maintained lasting friendships born out of the Bohemian Grove, La Grulla, and other clubs.
Harry was a man who served his country, his community, his friends and his family, bringing each his faithful commitment. Above all his greatest love was his wife of 59 years, Sallie and his family. He loved spending weekends and summers with them in St. Malo.
Harry is survived by his wife Sallie, his daughter Sarah Colmery Preston (husband Robert Preston III), son Scott Gifford Colmery (wife Jeanne Genoar Colmery) and daughter Kate Colmery Firestone (husband Adam Firestone); his grandchildren, Hallie Greene, (husband Philip), Claire and Robert Preston IV; Harry, Frederick and William Colmery; Nicholas, Madeline, Matthew and Peter Firestone
A Graveside Burial Service with military honors will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena and a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, nurses and Dr. Koonce of Casa Dorinda for their excellent care. In memory of Harry's passions, donations can be made to Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation www.MCSF.org
Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press Online Edition from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2015
Harry Walter Colmery Jr., 90, died on Thursday December 18, 2014 at Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, California. Born January 10, 1924 in Topeka, Kansas to Minerva Hiserodt and Harry Colmery, he had two sisters, Sarah Colmery and Mary Colmery Olander, who pre-deceased him.
After graduating from Topeka High, Harry attended Dartmouth College on the GI Bill, which, coincidentally, was authored by his father. The outbreak of WWII caused Harry to join the Marine Corps where he was soon designated a Naval Aviator. After training at MC Air Station Santa Barbara, he was first assigned to ferrying replacement fighters across the Pacific and then to the famed fighter squadron VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" who were already engaged in the Battle of Okinawa. Colmery saw limited action as the squadron next prepared for the invasion of Japan.
Harry then returned to Dartmouth College graduating in 1946. He attended University of Virginia law school for one year but as a reservist was mobilized when the Korean conflict broke out and he was soon returned to his old squadron, now located at El Toro, CA. The squadron was next based in Pusan flying close air missions in support of the Marines. In November 1950, as the Marines were surrounded by the Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir, Harry's squadron was called on to fly non-stop sorties to support the encircled troops. On the 29th, Harry's F-4U Corsair was hit by enemy ground fire. He was too low to parachute but crash landed in an open area between the Chinese and Marine lines. Harry's sprint across the frozen snow covered ground is recorded in the book "Breakout". As he wrestled free from his wrecked plane, a squad of Chinese troops emerged from their lines. That Harry managed to outrun them while being shot at served as a great moral booster to the Marines cheering from their hillside fighting positions while the dejected Chinese were forced to withdraw without their prize.
Harry would continue to fly over 100 missions and was shot down again in 1951 when his Corsair was jumped by a flight of Yak fighter planes. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic flying in an engagement in late 1951. Although he was immensely proud to be a Marine, Harry spoke little about his accomplishments; the sadness of witnessing his wingman and best friend 1st Lt. Frank Stratton shot down and killed never left him.
After the war, Harry began a long and distinguished banking career in San Francisco, where he was known for his integrity and dedication to his clients. Harry met Sallie Morphy of Pasadena where they married in 1955. In 1965, now with three children, the couple left San Francisco and relocated back to Pasadena, where they lived for over 40 years. Harry's banking career thrived as a partner and Managing Director of William R. Staats, and later a Senior VP of Crocker Bank. Harry first attempted retiring in 1985, but growing restless, he returned to work joining the Capital Guardian Trust Company where he remained until 2007.
Harry served on numerous boards including California Hydroforming, Phase One, Airgain, Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena and as Trustee Emeritus at Occidental College. Harry was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier and also loved fly fishing, hunting and cycling. He continued flying with his family for many years Harry maintained lasting friendships born out of the Bohemian Grove, La Grulla, and other clubs.
Harry was a man who served his country, his community, his friends and his family, bringing each his faithful commitment. Above all his greatest love was his wife of 59 years, Sallie and his family. He loved spending weekends and summers with them in St. Malo.
Harry is survived by his wife Sallie, his daughter Sarah Colmery Preston (husband Robert Preston III), son Scott Gifford Colmery (wife Jeanne Genoar Colmery) and daughter Kate Colmery Firestone (husband Adam Firestone); his grandchildren, Hallie Greene, (husband Philip), Claire and Robert Preston IV; Harry, Frederick and William Colmery; Nicholas, Madeline, Matthew and Peter Firestone
A Graveside Burial Service with military honors will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena and a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, nurses and Dr. Koonce of Casa Dorinda for their excellent care. In memory of Harry's passions, donations can be made to Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation www.MCSF.org
Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press Online Edition from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2015
January 10, 1924 - December 18, 2014
Harry Walter Colmery Jr., 90, died on Thursday December 18, 2014 at Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, California. Born January 10, 1924 in Topeka, Kansas to Minerva Hiserodt and Harry Colmery, he had two sisters, Sarah Colmery and Mary Colmery Olander, who pre-deceased him.
After graduating from Topeka High, Harry attended Dartmouth College on the GI Bill, which, coincidentally, was authored by his father. The outbreak of WWII caused Harry to join the Marine Corps where he was soon designated a Naval Aviator. After training at MC Air Station Santa Barbara, he was first assigned to ferrying replacement fighters across the Pacific and then to the famed fighter squadron VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" who were already engaged in the Battle of Okinawa. Colmery saw limited action as the squadron next prepared for the invasion of Japan.
Harry then returned to Dartmouth College graduating in 1946. He attended University of Virginia law school for one year but as a reservist was mobilized when the Korean conflict broke out and he was soon returned to his old squadron, now located at El Toro, CA. The squadron was next based in Pusan flying close air missions in support of the Marines. In November 1950, as the Marines were surrounded by the Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir, Harry's squadron was called on to fly non-stop sorties to support the encircled troops. On the 29th, Harry's F-4U Corsair was hit by enemy ground fire. He was too low to parachute but crash landed in an open area between the Chinese and Marine lines. Harry's sprint across the frozen snow covered ground is recorded in the book "Breakout". As he wrestled free from his wrecked plane, a squad of Chinese troops emerged from their lines. That Harry managed to outrun them while being shot at served as a great moral booster to the Marines cheering from their hillside fighting positions while the dejected Chinese were forced to withdraw without their prize.
Harry would continue to fly over 100 missions and was shot down again in 1951 when his Corsair was jumped by a flight of Yak fighter planes. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic flying in an engagement in late 1951. Although he was immensely proud to be a Marine, Harry spoke little about his accomplishments; the sadness of witnessing his wingman and best friend 1st Lt. Frank Stratton shot down and killed never left him.
After the war, Harry began a long and distinguished banking career in San Francisco, where he was known for his integrity and dedication to his clients. Harry met Sallie Morphy of Pasadena where they married in 1955. In 1965, now with three children, the couple left San Francisco and relocated back to Pasadena, where they lived for over 40 years. Harry's banking career thrived as a partner and Managing Director of William R. Staats, and later a Senior VP of Crocker Bank. Harry first attempted retiring in 1985, but growing restless, he returned to work joining the Capital Guardian Trust Company where he remained until 2007.
Harry served on numerous boards including California Hydroforming, Phase One, Airgain, Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena and as Trustee Emeritus at Occidental College. Harry was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier and also loved fly fishing, hunting and cycling. He continued flying with his family for many years Harry maintained lasting friendships born out of the Bohemian Grove, La Grulla, and other clubs.
Harry was a man who served his country, his community, his friends and his family, bringing each his faithful commitment. Above all his greatest love was his wife of 59 years, Sallie and his family. He loved spending weekends and summers with them in St. Malo.
Harry is survived by his wife Sallie, his daughter Sarah Colmery Preston (husband Robert Preston III), son Scott Gifford Colmery (wife Jeanne Genoar Colmery) and daughter Kate Colmery Firestone (husband Adam Firestone); his grandchildren, Hallie Greene, (husband Philip), Claire and Robert Preston IV; Harry, Frederick and William Colmery; Nicholas, Madeline, Matthew and Peter Firestone
A Graveside Burial Service with military honors will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena and a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, nurses and Dr. Koonce of Casa Dorinda for their excellent care. In memory of Harry's passions, donations can be made to Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation www.MCSF.org
Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press Online Edition from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2015
Harry Walter Colmery Jr., 90, died on Thursday December 18, 2014 at Casa Dorinda in Santa Barbara, California. Born January 10, 1924 in Topeka, Kansas to Minerva Hiserodt and Harry Colmery, he had two sisters, Sarah Colmery and Mary Colmery Olander, who pre-deceased him.
After graduating from Topeka High, Harry attended Dartmouth College on the GI Bill, which, coincidentally, was authored by his father. The outbreak of WWII caused Harry to join the Marine Corps where he was soon designated a Naval Aviator. After training at MC Air Station Santa Barbara, he was first assigned to ferrying replacement fighters across the Pacific and then to the famed fighter squadron VMFA-312 "Checkerboards" who were already engaged in the Battle of Okinawa. Colmery saw limited action as the squadron next prepared for the invasion of Japan.
Harry then returned to Dartmouth College graduating in 1946. He attended University of Virginia law school for one year but as a reservist was mobilized when the Korean conflict broke out and he was soon returned to his old squadron, now located at El Toro, CA. The squadron was next based in Pusan flying close air missions in support of the Marines. In November 1950, as the Marines were surrounded by the Chinese at the Chosin Reservoir, Harry's squadron was called on to fly non-stop sorties to support the encircled troops. On the 29th, Harry's F-4U Corsair was hit by enemy ground fire. He was too low to parachute but crash landed in an open area between the Chinese and Marine lines. Harry's sprint across the frozen snow covered ground is recorded in the book "Breakout". As he wrestled free from his wrecked plane, a squad of Chinese troops emerged from their lines. That Harry managed to outrun them while being shot at served as a great moral booster to the Marines cheering from their hillside fighting positions while the dejected Chinese were forced to withdraw without their prize.
Harry would continue to fly over 100 missions and was shot down again in 1951 when his Corsair was jumped by a flight of Yak fighter planes. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic flying in an engagement in late 1951. Although he was immensely proud to be a Marine, Harry spoke little about his accomplishments; the sadness of witnessing his wingman and best friend 1st Lt. Frank Stratton shot down and killed never left him.
After the war, Harry began a long and distinguished banking career in San Francisco, where he was known for his integrity and dedication to his clients. Harry met Sallie Morphy of Pasadena where they married in 1955. In 1965, now with three children, the couple left San Francisco and relocated back to Pasadena, where they lived for over 40 years. Harry's banking career thrived as a partner and Managing Director of William R. Staats, and later a Senior VP of Crocker Bank. Harry first attempted retiring in 1985, but growing restless, he returned to work joining the Capital Guardian Trust Company where he remained until 2007.
Harry served on numerous boards including California Hydroforming, Phase One, Airgain, Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena and as Trustee Emeritus at Occidental College. Harry was an avid golfer, tennis player and skier and also loved fly fishing, hunting and cycling. He continued flying with his family for many years Harry maintained lasting friendships born out of the Bohemian Grove, La Grulla, and other clubs.
Harry was a man who served his country, his community, his friends and his family, bringing each his faithful commitment. Above all his greatest love was his wife of 59 years, Sallie and his family. He loved spending weekends and summers with them in St. Malo.
Harry is survived by his wife Sallie, his daughter Sarah Colmery Preston (husband Robert Preston III), son Scott Gifford Colmery (wife Jeanne Genoar Colmery) and daughter Kate Colmery Firestone (husband Adam Firestone); his grandchildren, Hallie Greene, (husband Philip), Claire and Robert Preston IV; Harry, Frederick and William Colmery; Nicholas, Madeline, Matthew and Peter Firestone
A Graveside Burial Service with military honors will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena and a Celebration of Life at 4 p.m. at the Valley Hunt Club in Pasadena.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, nurses and Dr. Koonce of Casa Dorinda for their excellent care. In memory of Harry's passions, donations can be made to Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena, 3230 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, 91107 and Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation www.MCSF.org
Published in The Santa Barbara News-Press Online Edition from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2015
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