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James B. Busey IV
Busey as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, 1989
5th United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation
In office December 4, 1991 – February 21, 1992
President	George H. W. Bush
Secretary	Samuel K. Skinner
Preceded by	Elaine Chao
Succeeded by	Mortimer L. Downey
11th Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
In office June 30, 1989 – December 4, 1991
President	George H. W. Bush
Preceded by	T. Allan McArtor
Succeeded by	Thomas C. Richards
22nd Vice Chief of Naval Operations
In office September 1985 – March 1987
President	Ronald Reagan
Preceded by	Ronald J. Hays
Succeeded by	Huntington Hardisty
Personal details
Born	James Buchanan Busey IV (1932-10-02)October 2, 1932 Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Died	April 21, 2023(2023-04-21) (aged 90) Lincoln, California, U.S.
Nickname	"Jim"
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1952–1989
Rank	Admiral
Commands	Vice Chief of Naval Operations Naval Air Station Lemoore VA-216 VFA-125
Battles/wars	Vietnam War
Awards	Navy Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Navy Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (5) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star Medal

James Buchanan Busey IV (October 2, 1932 – April 21, 2023) was an American government official and four-star admiral of the United States Navy. He served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1985 to 1987 and as Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces Europe/Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe from 1987 to 1989.

Early years

James Buchanan Busey IV was born on October 2, 1932, in the city of Peoria, Illinois, son of James Buchanan Busey III and Louise (née Rogers). In January 1952, Busey entered the United States Navy and attended the basic training at Boot Camp of Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. In March 1953, Busey was chosen to Aviation Cadet Training Program at Pensacola, Florida.

During the years 1967, Busey served at various Naval posts, including Naval Air Station Cecil Field or Naval Air Station Jacksonville. In July 1964, Busey attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and earned there his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Vietnam War

In January 1967, Busey was transferred to the Attack Squadron 163 ("Saints") and served as a pilot in Vietnam War. During one operation near Hanoi, North Vietnam, Busey commanded a group of six aircraft with the task of bombing the Hanoi thermal power plant. Despite the damage caused to his aircraft by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft fire, Busey regained control of his plane and continued his mission. Busey destroyed the target and returned to USS Oriskany (CV-34). For this action, he received the Navy Cross.

Busey's other decorations from the Vietnam War included the Legion of Merit with "V" Device, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Air Medal and a Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.

Retirement

After retiring from the navy, Busey served as the chief administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from 1989 to 1991. He then served as United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 1991 to 1992. Afterwards, he became a board member at Curtiss-Wright until 2008.

Busey died in Lincoln, California, on April 21, 2023.

Personal life

Busey married Jean L. Cole. Their children are:

• James Buchanan Busey V (1962–2008), chief engineer of unmanned aerial vehicle testing at the Naval Air Test Center, Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, Maryland, and member of the National Transportation Safety Board; with his wife, Charlotte (m. 1992) father of James Buchanan Busey VI and of Jessica Lynn Busey.
• Angela R. B. Busey, married to Michael Presto, of Fresno, California.
• Nancy J. B. Busey, married to Dennis Naumann, of Grass Valley, California.

Awards

References

1. Whitnah, Donald Robert (1998). U.S. Department of Transportation: A Reference History. Greenwood Press. p. 165. ISBN 9780313283406.
2. "James B. Busey, Admiral USN (Ret.), NA #5081" (PDF). Retrieved January 30, 2022.
3. "Public papers of the Presidents of the United States, Volume 2"
4. "James Busey – Recipient –". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
5. Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
6. "Valor awards for James Buchanan Busey IV – Hall of Valor". militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
7. "Larger role for aviation center" The Telegraph (Nashua). 20 December 1989
8. "Curtiss-Wright Announces Admiral (Ret.) James Busey Retires From Board of Directors". Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
9. "James Busey Obituary". Trident Society. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
10. "Admiral James B Busey, IV USN | National Air and Space Museum". airandspace.si.edu. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
11. Who's Who in Finance and Industry, Marquis Who's Who Inc., 1991, p. 127
12. "James B. Busey V | National Air and Space Museum".
13. "James Busey V Obituary (2008) – Monterey, CA – the Hanford Sentinel". Legacy.com.
14. "James Busey V". April 2, 2008.

External links

• Biographic information

• 1932 births
• 2023 deaths
• United States Navy admirals
• Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
• Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
• Recipients of the Legion of Merit
• United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War
• United States Naval Aviators
• Administrators of the Federal Aviation Administration
• Vice chiefs of Naval Operations
• Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
• Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
• Recipients of the Distinguished Service Order (Vietnam)
• United States deputy secretaries of transportation
• George H. W. Bush administration personnel
• Military personnel from Peoria, Illinois