George C. Connolly ’63

George, a highly decorated Air Force fighter pilot, died June 13, 2021, in a veterans home in Huntsville, Ala., following a three-year struggle to recover from cardiac arrest.

George came to us from Highland Park (N.J.) High School. He was elected to the National Honor Society and was named to the New Jersey All-State Chorus. At Princeton, he majored in aeronautical engineering and was a member of Air Force ROTC.

George was commissioned upon graduation and completed his pilot training ranked first in both academics and flying. Beginning a 26-year career that included several tours in the Vietnam War, he was assigned to a squadron based in Thailand and was credited with 196 combat missions in the F-105.  

His 19 combat awards included the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism (five times), the Joint Service and Air Force Commendation medals, the Vietnam Service Medal with six bronze stars, and the Gallantry Cross from the Republic of Vietnam. 

Upon retirement, George began a second career as a weapons systems engineer working for a defense contractor at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland. He retired in 2006 and the following year wed Gaile (Gordon) Goetsch (his second marriage). They moved to Grant, Ala., where they lived on a six-acre property that includes a 100-foot-high waterfall.

George is survived by Gaile; son Glenn; daughters Lori and Jennifer; stepson Andy; three grandchildren; one step-grandson; three step-grandchildren; and his brother, Vincent.