James Edwin Ray

James Ray, his girlfriend and his dog recuperate after crash near Washington state
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James Ray, 80, his girlfriend and Ray's dog had to be plucked out of Puget Sound by a passing boat shortly after Ray was forced to down his Cessna 525 jet aircraft as a result of control problems, authorities said.

The accident took place about 200 yards off the shore of Whidbey Island, about 50 miles northwest of Seattle.Ray and his passengers were flying from Victoria, B.C., to Boise, Idaho.Ray lives in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Ray and the woman were treated and released at a nearby hospital, and were in "very good" condition, said Jan Smith, a spokeswoman with the island's sheriff's office.
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Ray is described as a low-key cattle rancher, entrepreneur, venture capitalist and aviation enthusiast.He doesn't seek publicity and goes out of his way to stay out of the limelight, even after donating large financial gifts.

Following a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force as a B-17 pilot, and 30 bombing raids over Europe, Ray cashed in on investments in high-tech companies and the development of a new cattle vaccine.

"How many more daring deeds is this man going to do?," asked Bruce Gjovig, a friend of Ray's, about the crash and rescue.
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Word is that the resilient Ray could be spotted eating lunch at a restaurant with friends only moments after he was released from the hospital.

"The man is a living testament to the resourcefulness and rugged durability of America's greatest generation," said John Boehle, a UND graduate and a principal in an aviation consulting business that was begun with a $50,000 jump-start from Ray.
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Boehle said that it wasn't surprising that Ray had his dog, a yellow Labrador retriever named Maxine, by his side before, during and after the crash.
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Ray has given UND about $10 million over the years, Gjovig said, including $3 million to the Center for Innovation to help develop entrepreneurial programs, $2.3 million to buy training aircraft, flight-training devices for the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, and another $2.5 million for aerospace scholarships.

James Edwin Ray, 464-66-6263, Colonel, U.S Air Force (Retired) Vietnam Veteran;
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Jim Ray

James Edwin Ray , 464-66-6263 , Colonel , U.S Air Force ( Retired ) Vietnam Veteran ;F-105D Pilot ; POW , May 1966 - Feb 1973 ( 409 ) 696-2213 ; ( 409 ) 845-0939 Please call.to confirm. ]

While I make no presumption to speak for anyone but myself , I firmly believe , from my.continuing interaction with retired and active duty servicemen and women , that.approximately 85% toward 100% of all military veterans of the Vietnam conflict , and
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Jim RayCollege Station , Texas

http : //Vigo-Examiner.com

James E. Ray Colonel, USAF (Ret.) Vietnam Fighter Pilot and Fmr.

James Ray Blackburn, Col. USAF (Ret.), 81, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002 in Corpus Christi.He was born July 25, 1920 in Lufkin to James and Nora Belle Blackburn.He attended Texas A&M University, College Station (Class of 1942) and left during his junior year to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps.His Air Force career included staff officer and pilot, mainly in heavy bombers, B-17, B-24, B-29, B-47, and B-52.He flew combat missions over Germany and France in B-17s and B-24s and was shot down twice.He bailed out after being shot down over Frankfurt, Germany and was a POW for eight months.He served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1965 to 1968.His military decorations included the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with an oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendations medal with two oak leaf clusters, and other awards.He served 30 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired with the rank of colonel. He is survived by his wife, Betty Blackburn of Rockport; one son, James R. Blackburn Jr., Col. USAF (retired) of Omaha, NE. Funeral services were held Friday, Feb. 22 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home Chapel.