Individual Details

Death

Colonel Joseph Levinson passed away on October 27, 2011 and was buried with full military honors on November 22, 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. Joe was born in Chicago, IL in 1924. He was a loving father, husband & a true American hero. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carolyn Price Levinson, his daughters Sandra Nall of Brewton, AL & Cherilyn Schutze of Flower Mound, TX; his sons, Dr. Scott Levinson, Gary Levinson & Barry Levinson of Austin, TX; his 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren & a great-great-grandchild, his sister Anita Baab of Los Angeles, CA & numerous nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Isadore & Rose Levinson of Tuscon, AZ & his brother, Fred Levinson of Winnsboro, TX. Joe served in the Navy in WWII in flying boats, was on anti-submarine patrol where he participated in the capture of a German submarine in 1943. He was recalled to active duty January 1950 (Korean conflict) during which he served as a Liaison and Scout Pilot for the 189th FA BN & 45th Inf Div. During his tenure, these were the 1st & 3rd units ever to receive the Army Aviation Unit of the Year Award. He was famous for scrounging materials & built "Joe's Folly" - the only three-story, glassed-in, heated combat control tower at A-30 near the DMZ. He ended his tour as KMAG Aviation School Instructor Advisor & was awarded the Korean Pilot's Wing # 18. Joe served in Vietnam as commander of the 121st Combat Aviation Company known as the "Soc Trang Tigers" where he organized the Eagle Search & Destroy operations in the Mekong Delta during 1963-64. He held his combat aviation command longer than any other officer serving from the outset through 1964. Col. Levinson received numerous awards to include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal w/ numeral 13 & V device, AF Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/1 olc, Master Army Aviator Badge (15 years minimum flight status), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ palm, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ palm Unit Citation Badge, Republic of Korea Army Aviator Badge #18. In addition to numerous WWII, Korean, American & Vietnam theater & campaign medals and was one of only 8 Americans to receive Vietnam's highest decoration, the Medal of Valor with Gold Palm, in 1964. Major Levinson and his unit received much notoriety for their combat exploits appearing in several publications such as "Dateline; Vietnam and "Dirty Little Wars". They were also featured in a nationally released film: "Vietnam: It's a Mad War." After Vietnam he was assigned to the Army Aviation Combat Development Command where he was Chief of Long Range Branch Studies & Special Projects Division. His work was instrumental in the development of the Apache & Blackhawk helicopters. After retiring from the military, Joe spent the next 17 years in Richardson, TX where he developed several successful businesses, including Ad America & International Web Graphics. Following his retirement from business, Joe & Carolyn moved to Austin, TX where Joe remained active in military veteran associations & was a staunch advocate for disabled veterans.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Dec. 4, 2011