The Myth, the Man, the Legend
Colonel Fred Cone
Brad Falcetti
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
Retired Colonel Fred J. Cone was born and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri. In his teens he was a farmer; unfortunately, all of his crops died. He received an NROTC Scholarship and attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. After receiving his commission in 1956, he attended the Basic School and Flight School, receiving his Naval Aviator wings in June of 1958.
He rounded out his education with a degree in aeronautical engineering from U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, a master's in business administration from the University of Missouri, and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona.
Cone served tours in three Marine Aircraft Wings, including one as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Air Wing. His staff responsibilities on these tours included logistics, aircraft maintenance, operations, and personnel. He also served a tour as the operations officer of the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, and a 3-year tour in Headquarters Marine Corps in the Requirements and Programs Division.
During his Fleet Marine Force assignments, Cone flew a total of 21 different types of aircraft and amassed over 8,600 flight hours. His combat experience includes nearly 1,000 flight hours flown in 448 separate missions, over half of which were at night. The total includes 217 missions over North Vietnam. Cone was the commanding officer of seven different units, with over 11 years in command.
Before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1986, Cone was asked by the Secretary of the Navy to establish the only Naval ROTC unit in Arizona, in Tucson. It continues to operate as one of the best units in the nation. During his flying career, he was selected to help bring two new aircraft, the OV-10 "Bronco" and the A6A "Intruder," into the Naval Forces.
His personal military decorations include the Navy Cross (the second highest award in the U.S.), the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, three distinguished Crosses, 41 Air Medals, and a Combat Action Ribbon.
He rounded out his education with a degree in aeronautical engineering from U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, a master's in business administration from the University of Missouri, and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Arizona.
Cone served tours in three Marine Aircraft Wings, including one as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marine Air Wing. His staff responsibilities on these tours included logistics, aircraft maintenance, operations, and personnel. He also served a tour as the operations officer of the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, and a 3-year tour in Headquarters Marine Corps in the Requirements and Programs Division.
During his Fleet Marine Force assignments, Cone flew a total of 21 different types of aircraft and amassed over 8,600 flight hours. His combat experience includes nearly 1,000 flight hours flown in 448 separate missions, over half of which were at night. The total includes 217 missions over North Vietnam. Cone was the commanding officer of seven different units, with over 11 years in command.
Before retiring from the Marine Corps in 1986, Cone was asked by the Secretary of the Navy to establish the only Naval ROTC unit in Arizona, in Tucson. It continues to operate as one of the best units in the nation. During his flying career, he was selected to help bring two new aircraft, the OV-10 "Bronco" and the A6A "Intruder," into the Naval Forces.
His personal military decorations include the Navy Cross (the second highest award in the U.S.), the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, three distinguished Crosses, 41 Air Medals, and a Combat Action Ribbon.
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