The mildest-mannered warrior one could imagine, Col. Gobel Dale James (ret.), former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and recipient of numerous military honors including two purple hearts, died on October 22, 2023 of congestive heart failure. He was 93.
James was born on August 1, 1930, in Amarillo, Texas, but the family soon returned to their native Fairland, Oklahoma where he grew up during the teeth of the Dust Bowl. James enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program in May of 1952, seeking more excitement than could be found selling ladies’ shoes, his job at the time. He was awarded his pilot wings a year later, and after combat crew training, James flew the F-86F Sabre with the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing at Kimpo AB, South Korea.
In December 1954, James was transferred to Clovis AFB, New Mexico, where he met his beloved future wife, Betty Jo. He would occasionally indicate his attraction by buzzing her house at very low altitudes, much to the chagrin of the neighbors.
James joined the Colorado Air National Guard in September 1956, flying T-33s, F-80 Shooting Stars, F-86 Sabres, and the F-100 Super Sabre. During this time, he also toured the world flying in the Slot position with the Minute Men, the Air National Guard’s Precision Demonstration Team.
After the Minute Men, James returned to his studies, earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. He married Betty on April 15, 1960 and, true to form, Betty drove the 5 hours to their honeymoon locale while the groom sat in the back seat completing his income taxes.
James was recalled to active duty in October 1961 and flew F-100's and F-105 Thunderchiefs at McConnell AFB, Kansas. He completed the U.S. Army Jump School in July 1964, and was assigned to Bitburg AB, West Germany in September 1964, flying F-105's and the F-4 Phantom II.
In October 1967, Major James began flying combat missions in Southeast Asia in the F-105F Wild Weasel aircraft. After a short tour in Korea at the time of the USS Pueblo incident, he was stationed at Korat AB, Thailand. On his 34th mission with the Wild Weasels, James was shot down over North Vietnam on July 15, 1968. Immediately taken as a Prisoner of War to the infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” he and his fellow captives were routinely tortured for the next two years. The POWs staved off despair with solidarity, inventing several coded languages they used to communicate with one another and maintain the chain of command. Gobel also limited himself to thinking about the family he had left behind for only two minutes per day so the ache of separation would not overwhelm him.
After nearly 1,700 days in captivity, he was released during Operation Homecoming and on March 14, 1973 was reunited with his beloved wife, Betty Jo (née Williams), son Todd, and adopted daughters Gloria and Joyce.
Col. James was next assigned to Luke AFB, Arizona, as a Squadron Commander. He attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., from August 1974 to June 1975 and upon graduation was assigned to the Defense Nuclear Agency at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. In August 1978, James became Deputy Commander for Resources at Reese AFB, Texas. His final assignment was as Base Commander of Mather AFB, California, where he served until his retirement from the Air Force on May 25, 1984. Col. James earned Command Pilot Wings and the Parachutist Badge, and accumulated over 3,600 flying hours in his Air Force career.
After retiring from the Air Force, he spent 10 years with McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company in Mesa, Arizona, serving as a Program Manager for advanced weapons systems on the AH-64 Apache helicopter.
Gobel remained close with his brothers in arms, regularly attended POW reunions, and frequently spoke to civic groups about his service. He never dwelled on the mistreatment he endured – “a little pain never hurt anybody” being his motto – and he harbored no ill will towards his former captors.
In 2018, Gobel moved to Santa Monica, CA, where he delighted in his grandchildren and spent his final years.
Gobel is survived by a brother, Norman James, son, Todd Spencer James and daughter-in-law, Tatiana Blackington James, five grandchildren – Lawrence Todd Hileman, Kelly James Hileman, Amy Jo MacMillan, Nicholas Blackington James and Luke Alexander James – and great-granddaughter Mandy Marie Hileman.
He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at 3 p.m. on February 21, 2025.
