NORTHPORT – Col. Richard A. Ames, U.S. Air Force, Retired, a highly decorated veteran of World War II, died Oct. 22, 2003, at Waldo County General Hospital, just a week short of his 92nd birthday. He was born Oct. 28, 1911, in Lynn, Mass., the son of Avis L. Ames and Corinna Austin Ames. He left life as he lived it, with courage and dignity and a never failing sense of humor. He was married to Jane Good Ames for 55 years to whom he gave the full measure of his love and devotion to the very end of his life. Col. Ames attended high school in Henniker, N.H., and then graduated from Stearns Preparatory School at Mount Vernon, N.H. He went on to major in aeronautical engineering at the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan. Col. Ames began his military career in 1937 when he entered flying cadet training at Randolph Field, Texas. After receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant, he served a three-year tour at Langley Field, Va. After a year each at Mitchel Field, N.Y., and Charlotte, N.C., he received orders assigning him to duty in Europe. He served as a fighter pilot and in numerous command and staff positions in North Africa, Corsica, France, Italy and Sicily. Highlights of his time in the European theatre of operations include, command of one of the first operational radar units in the war, capture of Dictator Mussolini’s personal staff, acceptance of surrender by the Commander of the Italia Air Force, and assignment as the personal escort and bodyguard for Prime Minister Churchill. After a short break from the European theatre to attend the Naval War College, Col. Ames was ordered to Japan where he first served on General MacArthur’s staff as in the Pentagon. It was there that he met and married his lovely wife, Jane. Following his Pentagon duty, he graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College and then served for two years in Ankara, with the Joint Military Mission Aid to Turkey. There he was responsible for establishing Turkey’s air defenses against Russia, a key component of the Marshall Plan. Col. Ames completed his illustrious military career as the Senior Air Advisor to the 101st Air Defense Wing, Maine National Air Guard, at Bangor. His many awards and decorations include the Bronze Star for Heroism; Legion of Merit, the British Oak Leaf Emblem, European, Middle East and Pacific Campaign Medals; Army of Occupation of Japan and the World War II Victory Medal. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Col. Ames earned his stockbroker’s license and worked with Means Investment Co. of Bangor, and enjoyed his avocation of farming. He later settled in Northport, and devoted his energies to home renovation, “flying” his fleet of tractors, and guiding his five children through college, two of whom graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jane Ames of Northport; two daughters; three sons and 10 grandchildren, Richard Austin Ames Jr. of Santa Ana, Calif., Marilyn and Sean Hardies and children, Anna, 19, Lauren, 17, Sean, 12, and John, 8, of Amsterdam, N.Y., Dr. Dawn and Dr. Neal DeVos of Aptos, Calif., Jeffrey and Julie Ames and children, Maria, 7, Christina, 5, and Anna, 2, of Valrico, Fla., and Randal and Mary Ames and children, Katherine, 13, Sarah, 12, and Colleen, 9, of Elizabethtown, Ky. For his family, Col. Ames was a model of intelligence, integrity, energy, and kindness. A memorial service will take place 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 81 Court St., Belfast. A reception will follow at the Parish Hall of the church. There will be no visitation. Interment with full military honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waldo County General Hospital, 118 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915. Arrangements are under the care of the Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast.
COL. RICHARD A. AMES SR.
