Jon A. Reynolds (Brig. Gen., Ret.) (1937- 2022) was born and raised in Philadelphia. He earned a BA in engineering at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., where he also obtained his commission via Air Force ROTC in 1959.
Following pilot training, he was selected for advanced training in F-100 type aircraft and assigned to the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) in New Mexico where he participated in Cold War deployments in the United States and Europe. In 1963 he began his first tour in Southeast Asia as an advisor and forward air controller to the 22nd infantry division of the army of the Republic of Vietnam.
Upon returning to the United States in 1964, he joined the 334th TFS at Seymour-Johnson AFB, flying F-105s. In 1965 he deployed to Thailand, flying strike missions against North Vietnam. On November 28 he was shot down, captured and interned as a POW until repatriation in February, 1973.
General Reynolds joined the faculty of the Air Force Academy in 1975. He directed the Academy's military history and air power studies programs while completing his doctorate program. He was awarded his PhD in history from Duke in 1980. Subsequent assignments included the Pentagon and faculty of the National War College.
From 1982 to 1988, he was assigned as air and defense attache to the People's Republic of China. He was the senior U.S. military representative. He was the first westerner in the modern era to fly a Chinese fighter aircraft.
Upon retirement in 1990, General Reynolds joined the Raytheon Company and relocated to Wilmington. In 1993 he was named President of Raytheon China, based in Beijing where he was responsible for all major company activities. In 2000 he returned to Wilmington.
Jon A. Reynolds was a command pilot. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a member of the boards of the National Air and Space Museum and the Falcon Foundation of the Air Force Academy.
