William J. (Billy) McGrath

Memorial Location

COLUMN:   ROW: 4

  • Lieutenant Colonel
  • Served: June 1965 – 2000
  • Vietnam War
  • Pilot

Deceased December 27, 2008, Interred in United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, CO.

Bill McGrath, of Brooklyn, New York graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1969. He served in Southeast Asia as “Nail FAC” (Forward Air Controller) out of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.

He was later assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas.  He served as the Aircraft Commander on the winning Strategic Air Command Crew Bomb Competition in 1975.

He had six children and many grandchildren.  He “found” Melinda and they married and semi-retired to Amelia Island, Florida in 2007/08 as Airport Manager.