John M. Conroy

John M. Conroy
Born(1920-12-14)December 14, 1920
DiedDecember 5, 1979(1979-12-05) (aged 58)
Resting placePistol Creek Ranch, Idaho, U.S.
Other namesJack
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • aircraft designer
SpouseMarried 4 times
Children6
Military career
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Forces
California Air National Guard
Years of service1942–1948 (USAAF) 1954–1957 and 1960–1961 (CANG)
Rank2nd Lieutenant
Unit379th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, USAAC
115th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, CAL ANG
Battles / warsWorld War II
POW
AwardsPurple Heart
Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross

John Michael Conroy (December 14, 1920 – December 5, 1979) was an American aviator and later businessman, whose company Aero Spacelines developed the Pregnant Guppy, Super Guppy, and Mini Guppy cargo aircraft. He later founded Conroy Aircraft and Specialized Aircraft in Santa Barbara, California.

He died December 5, 1979, of colon cancer.[1]

  1. ^ Koehler, Tamara (November 10, 2016). "Ventura woman's mission was to find her father's war story". Ventura County Star. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2020. She and her brothers and sisters from Jack Conroy's four marriages always sensed the experiences of war had fashioned their father's drive and willingness to take risks in life and business. "My dad was an entrepreneur, a dreamer … he was a big dreamer. I think the war really shaped him and the way he was unafraid to take risks the rest of his life."