39th Bomb Group (VH)
Association

James W. "Jim" Wyckoff 39th Bomb Group Association Founder/President 1990 - 2006 Taken: 2005 Reunion Arlington, VA

39th BG Association Founder and President has taken his final flight on 4 Oct 2006. Mr. Wyckoff served as the group's President from the first reunion held in 1990 until his passing having guided our destiny for 17 years.

Born November 18, 1925 at Cortland County Hospital, Cortland, New York. Mr. Wyckoff was raised on his family homestead of 80 acres. The farm located 5 miles from Interlaken on Deer Lick Springs Road. Being the eldest son with 4 brothers and 4 sisters, he shared family responsibilities at an early age.

He received his high school diploma in January 1944. He was inducted February 1944. Serving in the Army Air Corps as a Right Gunner/Scanner on a B-29 Superfortress (Crew 30) he flew from Guam to Japan for 25 combat missions and surviving a bailout 1 June 1945 while on a mission to Osaka. His decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, The Purple Heart, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.  He Honorably Discharged on 24 November 1945.

He married Elizabeth Mary Kinne, August 19, 1946 at Holy Cross Catholic Church; They have 5 children.

He returned home to complete his education receiving his Regents Diploma in 1946; Certificate of Completion from Morrisville Agriculture and Technical School in 1948 for 2 yrs study in Food Technology.

As a youth his work experience included mowing lawns, weeding flower gardens, worked part-time at the local hardware store and other odd jobs

In 1948 he worked for G.L.F. Food Processing Plant until the plant closed in 1949.

From 1949 - 1951 he was Assistant Plant Superintendent Leroy Foods Processing Plant of Blue Boy Foods Inc.

In 1952 Mr. Wyckoff went to work for the Seneca Army Base in various positions in various supervisory positions i.e. 16 years transportation, 8 years Installation Equipment Division as Production comptroller, Budgets and Cost Effectiveness Manager for the Division and Directorate, spanning 29 ½ Years , he retired January 2, 1981

In 1957 He purchased 60 acres and had been homesteading livestock, poultry, potatoes and other vegatables. Mr. Wyckoff continued this until May 2006.

From 1982 to 1987 He became Manager of New Start Senior Citizen at Verona Villiage, Ovid, NY. He retired July 1987.

Mr. Wyckoff gave very much of himself to others - he volunteered 7 Years 4 H leader, 3 year coordinator of local St. Judes Children Hospital Bike-A-Athon, 5 years part-time senior citizen bus driver. He transported food from the house of concern and Catholic Charities at Seneca Falls, NY to Federated Church in Ovid, NY for 1 1/2 yrs.

He was a member of the American Legion for over 40 years; 8 yrs as Post Commander; 1 Yr as Sencea County Commander; Elected as 7th District Commander in 1992.

He served a number of years as Senca County Boys State Chairman, County Treasurer

20 yrs as Manning-Lilla post Boy's State Chair and Veteran Service Officer with a lifetime membership being awarded in 1974.

Past Vice President of 20th Air Force Association.

Member of the Arthur G. Depew VFW Post 6200, life member; Served as Service Officer for National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1620, life member

In 1998, He assumed the position as advisor to Morrisville College Alumni Board, 2001 elected as member of the College Alumni Board of Directors, received award as Distingushed Alumni Member at the annual Come Back Day 2001.

Mr. Wyckoff served as Town and County Chairperson, 12 years Town of Romulus, NY Council Person.

He was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Ovid, NY.

His hobbies included: Gardening, crafts, fishing and helping people out.