Brigadier General Richard B. Posey, USAF (Retired), 95, of Camp Hill, PA known as the
“Father of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard” passed away on September 27, 2015. Born on
March 9, 1920 in Reading, Berks County, PA, he was the son of the late Harrison and Edna
Posey. He was a graduate of Reading High School, Albright College, and the Air War College at
Maxwell Air Force Base, AL.
He was the husband of Olga Wolosewich, Camp Hill, PA, with whom he just celebrated their
69th wedding anniversary in September. He was predeceased by a brother Harrison (Gertrude);
and sisters Carolyn Porter (Robert), Chicago, IL, and Helen, Reading, PA; and daughter Patricia,
Arlington, VA. He is survived by daughter Priscilla Circollo (Matthew), Mauricetown, NJ; son
Richard (Mary), Myersville, MD; and grandchildren: Sayre, Julianna, and Garrett Posey.
Gen. Posey was a veteran of World War II. He began his military career on April 28, 1941 at the
Army Air Corps Primary Flying School in Albany, GA. He received his pilot’s wings and was
commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Dec. 12, 1941. Following
several aviation assignments in the United States, he was reassigned as a Captain to the 94th
Bombardment Group. He flew 22 combat missions during World War II and was released from
active duty in January 1946.
The following year, Gen. Posey was selected to serve as squadron commander of the newly
authorized 148th Fighter Squadron at Spaatz Field in Reading. He led an aggressive recruiting
effort and, in less than two months, the squadron received federal recognition and began training
as a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. Gen. Posey was instrumental in developing
training and administrative policies as well as operational plans and safety programs that became
the cornerstone of air operations within the state.
Gen. Posey returned to active duty in 1951 to serve in the Korean conflict. In 1955, he became
the wing commander of the 112th Fighter Interceptor Wing and, in 1956, he was appointed
Deputy Adjutant General — Air. He held this position until he retired in 1978. Gen. Posey flew
over 7,800 hours in a wide variety of aircraft including: the B-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, C-46, C-47,
C-119, C-121, P-38, P-47, P-51, and T-33.
Upon retirement he was promoted to the honorary rank of Major General, Pennsylvania National
Guard Retired List. His many decorations and awards include: the Distinguished Flying Cross,
the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Combat Readiness Medal, and
the American Campaign Medal.
He was a member of numerous organizations, including the Air Force Association, the National
Guard Associations of the United States and of Pennsylvania, Spokane Masonic Lodge, and the
National Sojourners Harrisburg Chapter.
A funeral service will be held at Neill Funeral Home in Camp Hill, PA on Wednesday,
October 7, 2015 at 1:00 pm. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service
beginning at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to the PA
National Guard Military Museum, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003, or to the
Scholarship Fund at the 193rd Special Operations Wing Association, 81 Constellation Court,
Middletown, PA, 17057.