Thomas Edward Lee, Col-USAF (Ret)

January 30, 1939 ~ November 17, 2012
Colonel Thomas Edward Lee, USAF (Ret), died peacefully at his home in Vienna, Va on November 17, 2012. He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Barbara Kay Lee, children, Robert E. Lee (Sarah J.) and Cynthia A. Lee and 6 grandchildren. Son of the late Robert E. Lee and Dorothy A. Lee. Tom was born in Oak Park, Ill. Tom earned his Undergraduate degree at Huntingdon College, Montgomery, AL and a Masters degree from Columbia University in New York. He then joined the Air Force. Completing multiple national assignments, he served as an Air Defense Weapons Controller and Identification Officer, a fighter wing targeteer in the United Kingdom with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, wrote and implemented the DOD Targeting Course which trained DOD targeting personnel for the next 15 years. During 1968-1969, Tom served as an in-country targeteer during the Secret War in Laos. He was a US Embassy target validation officer, served as the combat intelligence officer for the RAVEN forward air controllers and advised the Lao Armed Forces. He flew over 100 missions in Laos as the "Guy in Back". As the Targets Chief for the US Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, his targeting team put the first Navy Tomahawk cruise missiles on line. As the Director of Targets, HQ USAF between 1984 and 1988, he provided targeting expertise for Air Staff operational contingency planning. He was active in USAF special projects including the F117A Stealth fighter. Tom retired from the Air Force in 1988 then worked for SAIC until his retirement in 2009. His military decorations and awards include a Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, an Air Medal and an Air Force Commendation Medal. He was also the recipient of a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Outstanding Unit Award, Organizational Excellence Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Overseas Short Tour Ribbon, Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Markmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon. Tom was a member of Vienna Presbyterian Church for many years. For more information on the service, donations or condolences see www.thomaselee.com
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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