George Robert Brendle

397th BG/ 596th SQ. Marauder Pilot

George Robert Brendle (Colonel, USAF – Retired), of Delray Beach, Fla., passed away in his home in Delray Beach on Tuesday, April 6, surrounded by his family.

The "Greatest Generation" lost a true inspiration to all who were fortunate to have known him. He lived his life to the fullest and gave great happiness to his family and friends.

He was born in Edwardsville on March 8, 1918. He is a 1936 graduate of Edwardsville High School and worked at Shell Oil Company, in Wood River, prior to being drafted into the Army in 1941.

He married to the former Mary Ellen Rowekamp, also from Edwardsville, in 1943 in Sweetwater,
Texas.

George was selected for Officer's Candidate School and pilot training, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in 1943. He flew 67 missions over Europe as a pilot flying B26 Marauder. He was promoted to Captain and flight leader by the completion of his combat assignment. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters.

Following the war, he attended the Royal Air Force Staff College in England and joined the Strategic Air Command, becoming squadron commander flying B-47 jet bombers. With the de-activation of the B-47, now Colonel Brendle became one of the early staff officers in the new Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile program.

He became wing commander of the 351st Strategic Missile Wing at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, in 1966 where he served with distinction until his retirement from the Air Force in 1972. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his achievements in the leadership development of the missile program. He is both a Command Pilot and Command Missileer.

Following retirement, George and Mary moved to Palm Beach County. George was an associate for Hart Realty in Tequesta for 17 years.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, his son Stephen and wife Toni of Boca Raton, Fla., his daughter Andrea and her husband Thomas Unrine of Highland Beach, Fla., two grandchildren Stephen Brendle II and his wife Erica of Delray Beach, Fla., and Robert Brendle of Atlanta, Ga., and a greatgrand son Brodie Brendle.