Major General Jonathan T. Treacy
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Here is the Air Force's official page on General Treacy where we found some of this content
On the occasion of Jon Treacy's induction into the Montville Township High School Hall of Fame, we have posted this page on his life story. The induction dinner is on May 1st. Jon will also be at our 50th reunion on August 8.
Early years
We have no idea where Jon was born or where he went to elementary school, he just showed up in our seventh-grade class at Central School and stayed with us through high school. He came from a long line of military aviators, his grandfather and father serving in military aircraft, and is an only child.
Jon lived at 85 Jacksonville Road, on the corner of Old Jacksonville Road. His home is dated to 1868 according to tax records, and it was well kept up (and still is!)
On the 2+ acre lot was a barn that was home to his and his Mom's horses. Jon was one of just a few Montville Mustangs that actually knew how to ride.
High School Years
Jon started out playing trumpet in the high school band, later switching to play baritone horn.
Jon appears in our yearbook wresting team photo, he is fourth from the right in the back row. He wrestled four years, and ended up in the 170-lb. weight class senior year. Sadly, he tore up his knee in the districts.
Jon was quite an equestrian, and his horse Brutus was a beast and a tremendous athlete. Jon competed in Horse Trials that combined dressage, cross country (over fences) and show jumping. Brutus and Jon did well and won some ribbons.
Here Jon has signed a a copy of our senior year yearbook, carefully compoisng composinng composing a message for posterity. Someday is now!
College and military career
Major General Treacy retired in June 2014 after a highly rewarding 34 year military career that included service in the USMC, USN, USAF and the Air National Guard (ANG). A third generation military pilot who always dreamed of flying fighters, little did he know that his dream would take him from aircraft carriers, to combat operations, to several command tours, the national tragedy of 9/11, and ultimately the Pentagon.
Flight Record
General Treacy began his career as a 2nd Lt in the USMC, commissioned through the NROTC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1980). After his initial assignment as an advanced jet flight instructor, he joined Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323. There he deployed aboard the USS Coral Sea and in 1986, flew numerous freedom of navigation missions as well as subsequent combat operations in the Gulf of Sidra off the coast of Libya.
In 1988, Treacy transitioned from the USMC to the ANG, joining the 102nd Fighter Interceptor Wing. He eventually assumed command of the 101st Fighter Squadron in 1999 as a Lt Colonel, leading the squadron through two combat deployments to Southwest Asia. Within a year of their return the 101st was called upon again, this time as the first Air Defense fighters to launch in response to the terrorist attacks against New York City on 9/11.
Jon showing off a "low approach" in an F15 Eagle carrying Sidewinder missiles
He was a USAF command pilot with over 3,300 hours, primarily in the F/A-18 “Hornet” and F-15 “Eagle.” He completed 189 carrier landings, flew 40 combat hours, and graduated from the USAF Fighter Weapons School. After 27 years in the cockpit, newly-promoted Brigadier General Treacy began his career with the Pentagon.
Jon executing a carrier landing in an F18 Hornet
Pentagon Career
During his first tour in the Pentagon, General Treacy served as the Deputy Director for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, where he led a highly specialized staff, advising the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on all matters relating to Antiterrorism, Force Protection, Homeland Defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
Later, General Treacy served as Commander, Joint Task Force Civil Support, the military headquarters for national emergency response. He was responsible for the readiness of over 5,400 military and civilian personnel, to conduct immediate and decisive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response operations within the U.S.
General Treacy eventually served the Pentagon as the Director of Staff for the National Guard Bureau. As the principal staff officer and advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, he was responsible for the performance of the over 1,000 member National Guard Joint Staff, and the restructuring of the over 5,000 member National Guard Bureau to meet the Chief’s commitments as a new member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
By the time he retired in 2014, Major General Treacy’s military awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Aerial Achievement Medal. If asked, he would affirm, “I’d do it all over again, if they’d let me.”
Current Events
Jon and his sweetheart/wife Deb live in a lakeside home in Maine and have two sons and several grandchildren. As a private pilot he owns and flies his own Diamond DA42 twin-engine, four-seat aircraft.
Congratulations to Jon Treacy on an honor that is well-deserved!