Thomas McInerney | |
|---|---|
 Major General Thomas McInerney, 1983 | |
| Birth name | Thomas Gillis McInerney[1] |
| Born | March 7, 1937 Havre de Grace, Maryland, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Army United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1959–1994 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General  |
| Commands | 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing 313th Air Division Third Air Force Alaskan Air Command Eleventh Air Force |
| Battles / wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star (2) with "V" device Meritorious Service Medal (2) Air Medal (17) Air Force Commendation Medal (2) |
| Relations | James E. McInerney Jr. (brother) |
Thomas McInerney (born March 7, 1937)[2] is a political commentator and a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General.
McInerney was a forward air controller and fighter pilot during the Vietnam War and flew 407 combat missions during his four tours of duty.[3] In addition to his Vietnam service, McInerney served overseas in NATO; Pacific Air Forces and as commander of Eleventh Air Force in Alaska.
Since his retirement in 1994, McInerney has been on the boards of several military contractors. He was a frequent guest on Fox News until 2018 when he claimed without evidence[4] that John McCain, whom he called "Songbird John", betrayed his country when he was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was a staunch advocate of the Iraq War, defended the use of torture, and defended the George W. Bush administration. In 2008, it was revealed that the Pentagon under the Bush administration supplied McInerney with talking points to use in his commentary.
- ^ "Thomas Gillis McInerney". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ "Class of 1959—Register of Graduates". Register of Graduates and Former Cadets 1802-1971 of the United States Military Academy. The West Point Alumni Foundation Inc. 1971. p. 699. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ "LIEUTENANT GENERAL THOMAS G. MCINERNEY > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display". www.af.mil. Archived from the original on 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2020-11-06.
- ^ Washington, District of Columbia 1800 I. Street NW; Dc 20006. "PolitiFact - 'Songbird John' McCain? No evidence McCain helped enemy in Vietnam". @politifact. Archived from the original on 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
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