Thomas Gordon Storey

Lt. Col. Thomas Storey passed peacefully, surrounded by family, at La Cholla Senior Care Center on August 11, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. A highly decorated combat fighter pilot, loving husband and father, Tom was known by all for his infectious spirit for life, joyous personality and for the ‘Life Mantra’ that he taught all… and that kept him alive during his over six years as a Vietnam War POW; His ‘Five Fs’ - Faith, Family, Friends, Future and Freedom.

Tom was born in Kansas City, Mo. In 1931. Upon graduation from Western Illinois University, he entered the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet program in 1953 and earned his Air Force Pilot’s wings. During this time, he qualified in the T-28, T-6, P-51, and T-33 aircraft. When the Korean War ended, he was discharged from active duty and entered the Illinois Air National Guard (ILANG) where he flew the F-84F and F-86G fighter aircraft. During his six years in the ILANG, Tom taught as a professor in the Industrial Engineering Department at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He was recalled to active duty during the ‘Berlin Crisis’ in 1961 and served with the 170th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Toul, AFB France. During this time, he accepted a regular commission and remained on active duty with the Air Force serving in various tactical fighter squadrons at MacDill, AFB, Florida. After a follow-on tour at RAFB, Alconbury, England, flying the R-F4C Phantom fighter, Tom volunteered to go to Southeast Asia and served in the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. Launching from RTAFB Udorn, Thailand, on his 65th mission, Tom and his copilot were shot down and forced to eject over North Vietnam. Evading capture, crawling with a broken back and knee for a week, Tom was chased and then shot by his captors. He would spend the next 2,239 days enduring extreme starvation, isolation and brutal torture by his communist captors. On March 4, 1973, during ‘Operation Homecoming’, Tom was finally reunited with his wife Sylvia, and his two children, Pam and Kurt, at Randoph AFB, Texas.

Upon his return, Tom requested to serve on staff as Director of Operations at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he would lead the flight training, SERE, parachuting, and soaring programs. During this time, the Air Force also sponsored his numerous leadership and ethics seminars throughout the country focused on patriotism, service, and love of country. Later he was assigned to Peterson AFB, Colorado, as the Chief of Services for the First Space Support Group, the predecessor of today’s U.S. Space Command. Following several tours at Yokota, AFB, Japan, Tom retired in September 1986 after thirty-three years of service. Tom stayed in Tokyo and led a real estate company until 1999 and his return to the U.S., finally settling in Tucson, AZ.

Lt. Col. Storey earned the Air Force Command Pilot Wings, Parachutist and Combat Aircrew badges among numerous citations to include the Air Force Silver Star for ‘Distinguished bravery and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty’.

Sylvia, his dear wife of 64 years, preceded Tom to our Heavenly Father in October 2019. Tom leaves behind a son and daughter, numerous grand and great-grandchildren and a legacy of unmatched selfless honorable service. Tom and Sally, together, will be laid to rest at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana, AZ. Memorial services are pending.