John L. Lambert

Lambert, John L., 88, of Largo, died on June 14, 2008 from complications following a fall. Mr. Lambert moved to Florida in 1967 after retiring from a career in the United States Air Force. As a young man he was an expert competitive flyer, and at 19 became one of the first pilots of the Civil Aeronautics Patrol. He entered the Armed Forces in 1941, and later that year married his college sweetheart, Frances Dicus. In 1942 he became a group leader in a Flying Fortress command, 308th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, leading his squadron of B-17's on sorties over northern Europe. At 23, he was the youngest colonel in the Army Air Corps. Having completed his full complement of flying missions, he returned to his family in the United States, and got acquainted with his 18 month old son, Jack. Later he was assigned to interview captured Luftwaffe pilots concerning their strategies and tactics, returned to Europe to visit sites he and his group had bombed to analyze the effectiveness of their methods, and also took part as a pilot during the Berlin Air Lift. He was awarded the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and several other awards in connection with his wartime service. Other assignments of his career included work in Japan during the Korean conflict, flying for Supreme Air Command from various bases in the United States, a diplomatic mission as the Air Force Attache in Helsinki, Finland, and a posting with NATO forces in England. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland and the Naval War College. Upon retirement he and his family operated Four Winds Gifts in Clearwater, Sand Key, and N. Reddington Beach. Mr. Lambert is remembered by family and friends as a generous, modest man who rarely spoke of his wartime service, loyal to friends and devoted to his family. He cared for his beloved wife Frances during her long final illness. He enjoyed travel, sailing, and was a lifelong and enthusiastic golfer. He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Eighth Air Force Historical Society, the Florida Aviation Historical Society, the Belleair Country Club, and the congregation of Calvary Episcopal Church. Mr. Lambert was predeceased by his twin sister who died at birth, his brother Richard Lambert, and his wife, Frances. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jack Lambert and Shelly Jensen, of St Petersburg, FL, his daughter, Carol Lambert, of Anchorage, AK, his grandsons Jack Lambert of Lecanto, FL and Benjamin Sodenkamp of Seattle, WA, great grandson Jack Lambert, great granddaughter, Rowan Sodenkamp, brother Arthur Lambert and his wife Joel Anne, of Reston, VA, nephews Richard and Christopher and niece Kathy, and their children. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Friends and family are also invited to a memorial service at Calvary Episcopal Church, Indian Rocks Beach, at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 21, 2008. His preferred charity was The Hospice Foundation of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.