Colonel Michael Norman Wright McCoy was born in Orleans, Indiana, on October 9, 1905,
and attended school in Puente, California. Following his graduation from high school he
became a professional boxer
and was billed as the "Keel
McCoy." Later he became a Los Angeles newspaper reporter and then operated a private
flying school in California. His colorful career included many incidents which classified
him as a legendary figure as well as a pioneer airman.
After World War II broke our Colonel McCoy joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 and served as a ferry pilot and instructor. He trained Canadian pilots in the old Hudson Bomber until 1942 at which time he transferred as a captain to the U.S. Army Air Corps. In June of 1945 while serving with the 315th Bomb Wing on Guam, Colonel McCoy flew 22 missions in B29 "Stratofortresses"" over Japan.
After the war. Colonel McCoy made the first successful Japan-to-Washington, D.C, nonstop flight in the 'Fluffy Fuzz,' a B-29. In 1950 he pioneered a 42-hour B-50 flight from the United States to Hawaii and back non-stop, proving the feasibility of an around the world flight in a bomber. He was project officer on the first around the world non-stop flight successfully completed by a B-50 bomber, the Lucky Lady I.
Colonel McCoy enjoyed the distinction of being the dean of Strategic Air Command’s B-47 "Stratojet" commanders. When the United States Air Force made its decision to equip SAC with the B-47, it was Colonel McCoy who took delivery of the first "combat type" B-47. He was commander of the first B-47 wing, the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, near Tampa, Florida. Within two years he had formed, trained to combat-readiness, and led his original B-47 wing, the 306th, on the first successful rotation of a SAC jet bomber force to Fairford, England from MacDill. They broke all existing speed records on the trip over and when they returned, broke them again. On their initial rotation Colonel McCoy solidified SAC's position as a Global Force utilizing jet aircraft.
To assure that the B-47 would assume a truly intercontinental stature, he was instrumental in pioneering and developing the present system of aerial refueling now in use throughout the Air Force. His list of personal decorations included Legion of Merit. Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Air Medal.
...McCoy AFB, Directory and Guide, circa 1961
306th BW (McCoy) Reunion Organization. All rights reserved. This page last updated: 31 Jul 2001