John F. Guilmartin *71

John Guilmartin, a member of the history faculty at Ohio State University and a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, died March 10, 2016, at 75.

Guilmartin graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1962. He was a helicopter pilot with the Air Rescue Service, which included two tours in Southeast Asia. In his first tour from 1965 to 1966, he flew 130 helicopter combat missions, rescuing American aviators shot down in enemy territory. During his second tour in 1975, he participated in the April 29-30 Saigon evacuation, flying out about 500 evacuees in 12 trips.

Between his Vietnam tours, Guilmartin attended Princeton, earning a Ph.D. in history in 1971. From 1970 to 1974, he was on the history faculty at the Air Force Academy. The remainder of his career was in the Air Rescue Service. He retired in 1983, heavily decorated.

After retirement, one of his activities was at Rice University in Houston as director of the Space Shuttle History Project. In 1987, he joined the Ohio State history department, remaining there until his death. He supervised 26 doctoral students and published widely on military history.

Guilmartin is survived by his wife, Hannelore; two daughters; two stepchildren; and two grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.