Colonel James J.
Kamp Jr., USAF (Ret.),died in Saint Charles, MO, on 3 September 2009. He was 76
years old. Born in California on 25
February 1933. He attended the University of California for one year
before entering the Naval Academy. He graduated
in 1956 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air
Force.
Following his
commissioning, Jim attended navigator training for one year at Ellington AFB,
Texas. He then went on to pilot training at Hondo AFB, Texas, and Vance AFB,
Oklahoma. He piloted the B-47 in the 100th Bomb Wing at Pease AFB, New
Hampshire. He then was assigned to the 19th Bomb Wing at Homestead AFB,
Florida, as a B-52 Aircraft Commander, and then went to Headquarters, Strategic
Air Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, in the office of the deputy chief of staff
for plans, future systems. In 1967, Jim served with the 4258th Strategic Wing,
U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, as a B-52 operations officer, and flew 108
missions as the B-52 Airborne Commander over North and South Vietnam .Jim
received a master’s degree in management from the University of Southern
California. He successfully attended the Air Command and Staff College and the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Jim commanded the National Emergency Command
Post (NEACP) a joint command under the J-3 organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The command was
unique as its mission was to provide worldwide survivable command, control and
communications for the President. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1983. His
awards were many, highlighted by the Defense Superior Service medal, two
Meritorious Service medals, the Air Force Commendation medal, five air medals
and others.
He then worked
for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company as program manager for “Battle
Management” on the Star Wars program until 1994.
Jim’s wife,
Lucile, predeceased him. He is survived by his former wife of 40 years, Ginger
Kamp of San Luis Obispo, CA and their children: Brian Kamp of Saint Charles,
MO; Laurie Kamp Sharp of Garden Valley, CA; David Kamp of Morgan Hill, CA; and
six grandchildren.
