Decorated America Airman with Local Connections

Col John F. Brosnan (89) who was buried in Gneeveguilla this week.

 

 American army airman, Col John F. Brosnan, age 89, died on Thursday, December 13, 2018 in San Antonio Texas.

John was the son of Denis Brosnan and Mary Ann Hickey and was born on February 18, 1929 in New York City.

Col. Brosnan was a cousin of the Kearney family of Tubbermaing, Castleisland  and of Tullig resident, Seán Hickey and his Killarney based journalist brother, Donal Hickey – natives of Gneeveguilla.

In the US Army at 16

John F. Brosnan was raised and educated in Ireland before enlisting in the US Army at the age of 16 in England. Spanning a 28-year Army Career, he retired in 1974 with the rank of Colonel and served during WWII, the Korean War with the 2nd Infantry Division, and two tours in Vietnam as a Helicopter pilot and commander of an Aviation Battalion with the 23rd ‘Americal’ Division.

Awards and Decorations

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, among others, and the Master Aviator Badge.

Upon his retirement, he resided in Aghadoe, in Killarney before moving to San Antonio in 2018 due to illness.

Buried in Gneeveguilla

John is survived by his wife Ingrid, who he married in 1957 in Darmstadt, Germany; daughter Mary Ann Brosnan, son Michael Brosnan, daughter-in-law Leticia and their children Moira and Sean Brosnan; brother Donald P. Brosnan, sister-in-law Betty, of Tucson AZ and many nieces and nephews. The late Col. Brosnan was buried in Gneeveguilla on Monday.

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