Background
Mele Vojvodich Junior. was born in Steubenville, Ohio to Mele Vojvodic who was Serbian.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Mele Vojvodich
Edit ProfileEducation
He graduated from Wintersville High School in Ohio.
Career
He was one of the initial five pilots who flew reconnaissance missions in the Lockheed A-12 surveillance aircraft over North Vietnam for the Central Intelligence Agency.
Korean Conflict
He would see action in the Korean Conflict flying the Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star and the North American F-86. Vojvodich flew a reconnaissance mission 300 miles into communist China to detect the presence of Soviet-made bombers. Vojvodich completed a total of 125 combat missions.
United States Air Force Career High Lights
Vojvodich earned his pilot wings in 1950 at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
Vojvodich served as Republic F-84 pilot and aircraft commander in the early 1950s at Turner Air Force Base in Georgia. He completed Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama six years after earning his wings.
He accumulated 6,000 flying hours in his career. In 1971 he completed studies at the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington District of Columbia. Vojvodich was promoted to Major General on 1 May 1980.
He retired in March 1983.
Central Intelligence Agency Recon Pilot Vojvodich volunteered and was selected to fly the Lockheed A-12 for the Central Intelligence Agency. He was transferred out of the United States Air Force and "sheep dipped" into the Central Intelligence Agency to fly as Government service employee. He would later be reinstated in the United States Air Force. Military
Vojvodich died in Schertz, Texas from leukemia in his home 3 November 2003. Bibliography.
Achievements
-
Born
-
Died
November 3, 2003 (aged 74) -
Nationality
United States
Awards
-
Distinguished Flying Cross; legionnaire of Legion of Merit; Legion of Merit Distinguished Service Medal; Distinguished Service Cross; Distinguished Flying Cross; Legion of Merit; Intelligence Star
The Intelligence Star is a rare award given by the Central Intelligence Agency to its officers for 'voluntary acts of courage performed under hazardous conditions or for outstanding achievements or services rendered with distinction under conditions of grave risk'.; The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.The Intelligence Star is a rare award given by the Central Intelligence Agency to its officers for 'voluntary acts of courage performed under hazardous conditions or for outstanding achievements or services rendered with distinction under conditions of grave risk'.; The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.