Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

William McCoy Fore

William McCoy Fore, 90, of Prescott died Sunday, July 29, 2001, at the Beverly Health Nursing Home in Prescott.

Fore was born March 11, 1911, in Nevada County.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Will Fore and Frances Fore of Nevada County; one brother, Herman Fore of Prescott; seven sisters, Doshie Bolls of Prescott, Hattie McBride of Cale, Dora Jordan of Prescott, Willie Spells Cox of Prescott, Lela Higgenbotham of Prescott, Lodema Owens of Modesto, Calif., and Louis Stewart of Los Angeles, Calif.

Fore finished grade school at Rocky Mound School and in 1929 entered high school at Laneburg, finishing in 1933.

On October 18, 1934 he decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy receiving boot training at the Naval Training Station at San Diego, Calif. He was selected honor man of his company of about 150 men. Fore was transferred to his first ship, the USS Breckinridge. He was promoted to Seaman second class which meant more privileges and then promoted to Seaman first class.

Fore en-listed in the Aviation Branch of the Navy. He was assigned to the Air Station for further training in ground forces and maintenance which included the upkeep and preservation of aircraft. He was then promoted to Chief Petty Officer and Aviation Chief Mechanic. After flying several hundred hours with the Navy, he applied for an received training as a flight engineer and later Naval air gunnery training. He was transferred to Jacksonville, Fla., for Advance Flight Training and finished third in his class as a qualified Naval Gunner. Fore was then assigned to the USS Baltimore, a heavy carrier.

After taking part in several sea and air battles, the Baltimore was relieved from the fleet for the President's staff.

Fore sought any squadron going overseas and was assigned to a 12-plane rescue squadron with his duties being sea and air rescue work. He was assigned to the South Pacific back in those old Kitty Hawk' days. He flew 51 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with one gold star. He received three stars for his combat air crew wings. For each campaign he participated in he received one Battle Star.

Hissquadron received 12. It was credited with rescuing 131 men, most of them from very uncomfortable places to perform their duty.

Fore's squadron was a part of the rescue team covering the air force bombing with the atomic bomb. His squadron later moved right on into Tokyo Bay for the ceremonial singing of peace.

He had by this time logged 2,700 hours of flying time with the U.S. Navy and in April, 1966, after convalescing leave and six months vacation, he was discharged.

He returned to the Navy Department in Florida to take a job as inspector of maintenance and material and was later transferred to North American Aircraft, Inc., for 24 months.

He then resigned from the Navy Department to take a job with Ford Motor Company, but was soon back to the Air Force Department at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona.

Through training courses and one year of college work, he received a Jet Engine Technical rating. At the age of 55, with 30 years service in two branches of the Armored Forces, he retired for the second time.

He is survived by one sister, Mildred Glass of Prescott.

Funeral services were held July 31, at the Shackelford Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in the Morris Cemetery under the direction of Shackelford Funeral Home.