John P. Henebry, 89; WWII pilot helped develop ‘skip bombing’
Maj. Gen. John P. Henebry, 89, who flew 219 missions in World War II and played a key role in the development of low-level bombing of Japanese ships in the South Pacific, died Sept. 30 in Evanston, Ill., the New York Times reported.
Piloting a B-25 Mitchell bomber, Henebry helped plan attacks utilizing “skip bombing,” a low-level assault that was more accurate than high-altitude bombing runs.
Pilots such as Henebry dropped their payload almost at water level and the bombs skipped across the sea before hitting the enemy ships, the Times obituary said.
A native of Plainfield, Ill., Henebry graduated from Notre Dame in 1940 and joined the Army Air Forces. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s highest commendation for valor after the Medal of Honor.
Promoted to brigadier general after the war, he later oversaw aerial supply operations in the Korean War. He retired in 1976.
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