May 8, 1982

Dear Mr. Hillard,

I am writing to officially inform you of my husband's death so that you can make mention of it in a subsequent newsletter of the 398th Bomb Group.

1st Lt. Edward C. Jordan 0706190
603rd Squadron
398th Bomb Group

Died February 5th, 1981 of cancer (Lymphoma) after a short illness. Age 58.

I am sending the following short history to Group Historian Jack Wintersteen as it may be of interest to some as Ed never stopped flying and made it his career and only job.

Ed served as co-pilot and first pilot on the B-17 from April to September 1944. He was discharged in May of 1945 and on June 1st he traded his uniform and wings for those of a commercial pilot with United Air Lines.

He served eight years as a co-pilot and over 27 years as Captain. During those 35 years he was checked out and licensed to fly the DC-3, 4, 6, 7 and the DC-10. Also, the Convair 340, the Caravelle 210 (his favorite), the Boeing 707 and 720. The last four years of his life he flew the wide bodied 747 on a Honolulu run. In all, he logged nearly 24, 000 hours of flight time.

Had he lived, he would have retired this coming September, age 60, becoming No. 1 on United's Seniority List – a goal he didn't achieve.

It is with regret that he will not be at the Memorial Reunion to represent his crew. I am sure that in spirit he will. He had always planned on going back to Nuthampstead and was always grateful to the Air Force for giving him the opportunity to fulfill his dream and goal of a flying career. Ed was a dedicated soldier, pilot, husband and father and a success at all.

Sincerely,

Jeanne C. Jordan