Maj. Jim Lehtonen

NEGAUNEE — James Lehtonen, was born to Leonard and Senia (Wigg) Lehtonen on Sept. 20, 1933.

The family lived at 309 Tobin St., in Negaunee. Jim’s mother died when he was three years old his father married Elsie Mattson. He had one sister Barbara, who was a teacher in Clinton Township in the Lower Peninsula.

He was married to Jean Gowans of Canada, and they had three daughters, Karla, Tracy, and Susan. James was a Negaunee High School graduate, class of 1951.

He was a member of the National Honor Society and was involved In sports, running in track and pole vaulting. In his “Senior Sketch,” an issue of the Nee-Hy Nuz, Negaunee’s school paper, lists his nickname as :Jebo,” quiet, but has a good sense of humor..

His favorite food was pasties, and he was a cin collector. His pastime was going to the movies. His favorite sport was swimming.

Jim earned a Bachelors’ degree as a mining engineer from Michigan Tech University in Houghton. He was also involved in college sports, track, pole vaulting and swimming.

Jim was always interested in flying and became a member of Michigan Tech’s University’s Air force ROTC program. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation from Tech in 1955.

Jim entered the United States Air force in June 1956 and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He did flight training at Hondo Air Force Base, Texas. Fighter Interceptor Pilot training at Byron and Perrin Air Force Bases in Texas.

His missions included Vietnam and the Dominican Republic. His overseas assignments included, Kume Air Base, Okina Air Base and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa. Osan Air Base, in Korea and Bien Hoa Air Base and Phan Rang Air Base in Vietnam. he was temporarily deployed to Aviano, Italy and Incirlik, Turkey.

His United States military assignments included Custer Air Base and Kincheloe( Kinross) in Sault Ste, Marie, Custer Air Base near Battle Creek, Tyndall Grand Forks, Cannon and Myrtle Beach Air force Bases.

During his first tour of duty in Vietnam, he served as a forward air controller, flying the Cessna TO1D/L-19 “Bird Dog.”

Returning for a second tour of duty, he flew F-100 Super Sabre Jets. Maj. Lehtonen received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Southwest Asia Campaign, M/R National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Oak Clusters, Air Force Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.

After serving over 20 years, Maj. Lehtonen retired from the Air Force in 1976 and was employed as charter pilot for a private fixed base operator in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

While enroute from Myrtle Beach to meet his boss in Cincinnati, Ohio, his Cessna 401 hit Grandfather’s Mountain near Linville North Carolina. Unofficial weather observations indicated the mountain’s peak was covered by clouds, rain and considerable winds.

The accident occurred on April 7, 1980 and his body was not located until four days later due to the remoteness of the area. Major Lehtonen is buried in the Negaunee cemetery.