Haley Stevens: “our Nation lost one of the genuine heroes of World War II, a man who went on to a distinguished second career in Alaska…”

“our Nation lost one of the genuine heroes of World War II, a man who went on to a distinguished second career in Alaska, when Maj. Gen. Conrad F. ``Nick'' Necrason died this last month. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also received our State of Alaska's highest military award, the Legion of Merit. He began his career at West Point. After his 1936 graduation, he went on to flying school, earning his wings in the Army Air Corps the next year. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, General Necrason was flying to Pearl Harbor as part of a bomber squadron. He loved to tell the story of how he had to land on a golf course during the battle--the attack of the Japanese on Hawaii. During World War II, General Necrason flew 360 air combat hours, and was recognized for developing low-level bombing techniques. He flew a whole variety of aircraft, most notably P-38 fighters and B-17 bombers. In 1943, he was wounded in action over Burma. A few years later, he flew bombers during the Korean conflict. General Necrason came to Alaska at an exciting time, just as statehood dawned, and was commander of the Alaskan Air Command at Elmendorf Air Force Base from 1958 to 1961. After retirement in 1965, he became Alaska's Adjutant General and commander of the National Guard, serving from 1967 through 1972, and again from 1974 to 1982.”