John H. Fette, Major, USAF (Retired)

November 13, 1939 – July 28, 2006

John Henry Fette B: Muenster, TX. D: Salina, KS. in motorcycle/car accident. Buried: 08/04/06.

Survived by wife, Judy Mullins Fette whom he married on 05/21/1966 in Norman, OK. Mass of Christian Burial for John Henry Fette, 66, of Tacoma, Wash., is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church in Muenster. Rev. Pat Murphy will celebrate. Burial will follow in the veterans’ plot at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Services are directed by McCoy Funeral Home of Muenster. A Rosary service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006, followed by a Vigil at 7 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Chapel.

Mr. Fette died Friday, July 28, 2006, in a motorcycle/automobile accident near Salina, Kan., while enroute to visit his family in Muenster. Born Nov. 13, 1939, in Muenster, he attended Sacred Heart Elementary, and then graduated high school from Muenster Public school. He then received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

He was the son of Edward John and Katherine Knabe Fette. He married Judy Mullins on May 21, 1966, in Norman, Okla.

After obtaining his degree from college, John enlisted in the Air Force. He almost immediately attended Officers Candidate School and received his commission upon completion. After completing flight school, John became a helicopter pilot. This resulted in his piloting the “Jolly Green Giants” (helicopters) in combat in Vietnam. John retired from the Air Force in 1988 after 22 years of service. He then flew cargo planes for Consolidated Freight for several years. John’s distinguished military career earned him the following awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

John had completed numerous schools and courses while in service, including Air Command and Staff College, Engineering Test Pilot course, Undergraduate Pilot Training, Squadron Officers school, Aircrew Familiarization course, Advanced Flying School Transport Pilot Course, Jungle Survival School, Ground and Flying Course, Advanced Survival Training, Undergraduate Pilot Training (helicopter), Undergraduate Pilot Training (T-37) Phase Course and Officer Military Training.

John enjoyed several hobbies such as working periodically with Long Horn Bar-B-Que in Auburn, Wash., trimming trees and the outdoors. He was a life member of the Catholic Church, currently in Tacoma, Wash. He was a past member of Sacred Heart Parish. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward John Fette and a brother, Edward Fette.

Burial information: Sacred Heart Cemetery, Muenster, TX

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Captain Fette served during the Vietnam War as a HH-3E pilot with Det. 1, 40th ARRS and the 37th ARRS during the 1969/1970 time frame.