Colonel Applewhite

Col. Jim Applewhite, U.S. Air Force Retired of Brenham, died March 16, 2006, in Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1933 of parents Sidney Wallace Applewhite II and Beatrice Cravens Applewhite. After graduating from Beaumont High School, he entered the United States Air Force. During this period he served tours as a jet engine mechanic in Vietnam and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. After earning his college degree from Texas A&M University in 1965, he entered Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, Texas. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant. After attending Maintenance Officer School at Chanute AFB, he was stationed at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas and then at Howard AFB in Panama. Following a second tour of Bergstrom AFB, he began his first Korean tour in June, 1979, at Taegu AB as a newly promoted Major. There he was the ranking American logistics officer in a joint Korean-U.S. Air Force readiness initiative service and a squadron of F-E4 aircraft flown by U.S. Air Force pilots. The initial results of this program were so impressive that it became a permanent fixture in Korean-American relations and agreements. In May, 1983, Major Applewhite returned to Korea for his second tour, assigned as the 51st Equipment Maintenance Squadron Commander. Over the next two years he led the unit to two excellent Operational Readiness Inspections and its selection as the best Maintenance Complex in the Pacific. He was also selected as the Air Force s Outstanding Field Grade Officer. This was high praise for leading nearly 300 personnel and managing a 196-million dollar munitions budget. During that time he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1986, he arrived at Kadena AB, Japan, as the Director of Maintenance for the PACAF Logistics Support Center. He led 670 personnel in 49 work centers that provided intermediate-level maintenance for PACAF s five operational wings and one tactical air group. During his tour the support center supplied record numbers of aircraft engines, modules and electronic components. When PACAF decided to decentralize he achieved shutdown six months ahead of schedule. On completing this assignment in 1989, he was promoted to Colonel and selected to be the Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kaden AB, Japan. He was then assigned as the Deputy Commander for Maintenance and inspired 2, 400 military and civilian personnel to achieve phenomenal results. He produced the best set of F-15 maintenance indicators in 10 years. Then in 1990 he stunned evaluators who rated him Outstanding for generating 73 of 74 possessed aircraft. In 1991 this level of performance made a clean sweep of the coveted Firth Air Force and PACAF Lt. Gen. Marquez and Gen. Allen Awards from Congrss. These were followed by the USAF Daedalian Supply Effectiveness Award, the American Petroleum Institute Award and the HQ PACAF Munitions Maintenance Effectiveness Award. Colonel Applewhite arrived at Shaw AFB, SC his last duty station, in 1992. There he assisted the Chief of Logistics of the 609th Air Support Squadron in the general military drawdown. It was with the Ninth Air Force, however, that he left his greatest legacy. He led the Logistics Readiness Center in support of US Central Command in Southwest Asia. When deployed to Saudi Arabia, he served as J4, Director of Logistics, Combined Joint Task Force, where he aggressively planned, organized and delivered war reserve material into strategic positioned supply depots. His accomplishments ensured the success of future air operations over Iraq. Like many, many others who later suffered Gulf War Syndrome, he literally gave his life for our nation. Upon his retirement of 41 years, he held the following awards: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is survived by his wife, Frances Schwettmann Applewhite; mother, Beatrice Cravens Applewhite; son, Jim Daniel Applewhite; grandsons, David Wayne Applewhite and Scott Wallace Applewhite; granddaughter, Annie Laurie Applewhite Beckendorf; brother, Sidney Wallace Applewhite III; and niece, Julie Applewhite Davidson. The family will receive visitors from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at Memorial Oaks Chapel with Rev. Bob Craig officiating. Mr. Applewhite will be laid to rest at Prairie Lea Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers will be R.B. Schawe, Gary Hart, Sidney Applewhite, Scott Applewhite, David Applewhite and Daniel Applewhite. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Mayfield and Bill Clayton. Memorials may be given to Trinity Medical Center Foundation. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham.