Brigadier (ret.) George James Iannacito

George James Iannacito was born of Salvatore and Anna Iannacito on March 25th, 1921, in Denver, Colo., where he graduated from North High School in 1939. He attended the University of Maryland in 1961 and The George Washington University in 1963. He joined the Army Air Corps Enlisted Reserve in July 1942; in February 1943 entered active duty as an aviation cadet; and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant at Waco, Texas, in January 1944.  He served with the Flying Training Command from January 1944 to September 1947 in the various capacities of mission pilot, instructor, flying safety officer, and base operations officer at three bombardier training bases. He became commander of Amchitka Air Base, Alaska, and a year later was transferred to the Aleutian Command, Adak, Alaska, as the assistant director of operations. George returned to the United States in June 1949 and had various assignments with the Air Training Command and the Air University as a student, Air Tactical School; and as an instructor and plans officer, Squadron Officer Course.  In August 1953 George was assigned to Strategic Air Command, and performed duty as squadron operations officer on Okinawa and later as deputy director of operations at Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb. From August 1956 to May 1957 he served as commander of the 370th Bombardment Squadron at Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb.  George was then assigned to the Directorate of Plans and Programs, Headquarters Technical Training Wing at Lowry Air Force Base, Colo., and in January 1959 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Va. In August 1959 he was assigned to the War Plans Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He attended the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., August 1962 to July 1963, when he was assigned to the Strategic Plans and Policy Division, assistant chief of staff for plans, on the staff of the commander in chief, Pacific, at Camp Smith, Hawaii. His service with the Air Force Communications Service began in August 1966 when he became the director of plans and programs at Headquarters Eastern Communications Region, Westover Air Force Base, Mass. In October 1967 he became commander of the 2049th Communications Group, McClellan Air Force Base, Calif. While assigned to the 2049th, he attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University, Mass. In August 1968, George assumed command of Air Force Communications Service, United Kingdom Communications Region, at South Ruislip Air Station, and assumed additional duties as deputy chief of staff, communications-electronics for Third Air Force and then transferred to Headquarters Air Force Communications Service at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., in August 1969 where he became the deputy chief of staff for plans and programs.  In July 1970, Brigadier General George J. Iannacito began his final command as Commander of the Pacific Communications Area of the Air Force Communications Service, with Headquarters at Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii. The Pacific Communications Area was responsible for engineering, installing, operating and maintaining on-base and long-haul communications, air traffic control and navigational aid services and facilities for the Air Force and other Federal and non-governmental agencies throughout the Pacific. He also functioned as deputy chief of staff, communications-electronics, Pacific Air Forces.  His military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Distinguished Service Medal. He was promoted to the temporary grade of brigadier general effective Aug. 1, 1970, with date of rank June 26, 1970. General Iannacito's hometown was Denver, Colo. and upon his retirement, he moved to Monument, Colo and then finally; Surprise, AZ. George’s passions were his faith, his country, his family, and then in his spare time - flying, golf, baseball, hunting, dancing, a good martini, and all things Italian. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Alice Mae (Widner), his three children: Mark Scott Iannacito, Lesa Nancy Iannacito Sailors and Tiare Daune Petersen. General Iannacito was also blessed with 6 grandchildren: Sam Roland Sailors III, Rustin Cole Sailors, Shealyn Arynne Sailors, Taylor Scot Petersen, Blake Evan Petersen and Alexi Lynn Petersen. And 2 great-grandchildren: Brandon Rodger Sailors and Nova Silvia Sailors. Brigadier General George J. Iannacito was and always will be highly respected, honored and forever loved.