08/24/2026
Rest in Peace Sir!
With deep sorrow, we say farewell to Lt. Col. Edward Montgomery Nebinger, one of the last World War II and Korean War fighter pilot, who passed away at the remarkable age of 102. With his passing, we mourn not only a beloved veteran, but also honor an extraordinary life defined by courage, service, perseverance, and purpose. As a combat pilot, he served through pivotal chapters of history, from the skies over Normandy during World War II to the dawn of the supersonic age. His life reminds us that courage is not measured by one moment, but by a lifetime of service, perseverance, and purpose.🕊️🇺🇸
Born January 5, 1924, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Ed Nebinger belonged to a generation that came of age during one of the most consequential periods in American history. His was a life shaped by courage, service, perseverance, adventure, and an enduring commitment to his country.
At just 19 years old, Ed earned his pilot’s wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces, the forerunner of today’s United States Air Force. Within a year, he would be flying combat missions over Europe.
Assigned to the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath, England, Ed served with the 360th Fighter Squadron, flying the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt before transitioning to the P-51 Mustang.
Then came June 6, 1944—D-Day.
As Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in the largest amphibious invasion in history, 20-year-old Lt. Nebinger and his fellow fighter pilots took to the skies in support of the Allied invasion. Flying over occupied Europe, they attacked enemy positions, protected Allied forces, and helped open the way for the liberation of Europe.
For Ed, D-Day was not a chapter in a history book. It was his first combat mission.
Behind the medals and military records were also the personal costs of war. Friends and fellow servicemen were lost, and Ed carried those memories with him throughout his long life. His wartime experiences, friendships, love, loss, and adventures would later become part of his memoir, Lady Doreen: A Wartime Memoir.
When World War II ended, Ed's service did not.
He returned to active duty in 1948, as the Cold War was beginning, and soon found himself once again in the cockpit. When the Korean War erupted in 1950, he answered the call a second time, flying combat missions in the P-51 Mustang.
Across two wars and two combat tours, Ed flew 172 combat missions.
His extraordinary service was recognized with 11 Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and numerous campaign and theater decorations.
But Ed's aviation career did not end with combat.
He became a test pilot, graduating from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base and spending years flying and evaluating increasingly advanced supersonic aircraft during one of the most transformative eras in aviation history.
After 23 years of military service, Ed retired from the Air Force in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel and Command Pilot.
And still, his story was far from over.
In 1973, drawing upon his extraordinary experience in aviation, technology, and defense, Ed founded Forecast Associates, later known as Forecast International. His company pioneered long-range, data-driven forecasting for the aerospace, defense, and power industries, allowing him to continue contributing to the fields he had served throughout his military career.
Away from the cockpit and boardroom, Ed never lost his sense of adventure. He sailed, raced sailboats, enjoyed life on Candlewood Lake, and even crossed the Alps at the age of 65.
He lived for more than a century, spanning an extraordinary period of history—from the age of propeller-driven fighters and the beaches of Normandy to the dawn of the supersonic era and beyond.
Today, we remember Edward Montgomery Nebinger not simply for his rank, medals, or 172 combat missions, but for the man behind them: a young pilot who answered his country's call, a veteran who carried the memories of war, a test pilot who pushed the boundaries of aviation, a pioneer who built something of his own, and an adventurer who never stopped living.
He represented a generation that was asked to sacrifice everything for freedom, and he answered that call not once, but twice.
The skies are quiet now, Colonel. Your final mission is complete.
May Lt. Col. Edward Montgomery Nebinger rest peacefully, forever remembered for his courage, his service, his sacrifice, and the freedom he helped defend.
Thank you for your service, Colonel. Thank you for a lifetime of courage.
Rest easy, Colonel. Your final mission is complete.
