Former Hanscom employees to be memorialized at ceremony

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Three former employees, whose lives and accomplishments were an integral part of Hanscom, will be inducted into Memorial Park, next to the clinic, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Thomas P. O'Mahony, Joseph E. Mardo and retired Lt. Col. Dennis P. McCorry will each be honored with a tree and bronze plaque dedicated in their memory.

"The Hanscom Heroes Memorial Park is a living memorial which enshrines these beloved Hansconians forever," said Bobby Jacques, ceremony organizer. "The people whose lives and accomplishments we are recognizing were integral parts of the Hanscom family, and their memory continues to live with us."

Mr. O'Mahony passed away June 16, 2010. He culminated a 43-year federal career with the Air Force as executive director of the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom. He enlisted as an airman in the Korean War and then entered federal civil service as a mail clerk, eventually rising to the highest ranks within the Senior Executive Service.

Among other key positions he held at the Electronic Systems Center were director of the COBRA DANE radar system at Shemya Air Base in the Aleutian Islands and the COBRA JUDY Shipborne radar system.

These two high-priority, multi-million dollar intelligence systems were honored by the Air Force for superior management by remaining on budget, on schedule and exceeding technical performance requirements. Both program offices received Air Force organization excellence awards.

Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush also conferred high honors upon Mr. O'Mahoney for superior U.S. government program management accomplishments.

Mr. O'Mahoney enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and served in Korea. Among the decorations he received during the conflict were the Korean Service Medal with three battle stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Distinguished Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

"We will remember Tom O'Mahony as a loving husband of Judy, proud father of Jeannine, Terry and Lorrie and a very active 'Papa' with his five grandchildren, Elizabeth, Derek, Taylor, Ryan and Sarah," said Mr. Jacques.

Also being honored is Mr. Mardo, who passed away May 16, 2011. Mr. Mardo served in a number of ESC program office and managerial assignments over the years. He retired in 2006.

He was a leader in communication systems engineering and program management and oversaw numerous advances. He was involved for many years in the development, testing and production of Air Force terminals for the Milstar Satellite Communications System. He was later assigned as Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Terminals Program Development system manager, where he played a key role in the design, development, production and deployment of all satellite communications terminals for the Air Force.

Mr. Mardo also served as director of the Global Grid Product Area and later as chief of the Strategic and Tactical Communications Division within what was then the 653rd Electronic Systems Group. There he oversaw developments in protected Satellite Communications (SATCOM), including the Advanced Extremely High Frequency and strategic SATCOM terminals.

"I never saw an individual more dedicated to his people and programs," said longtime co-worker Michelle Rogers. "He lived and breathed his programs and always took care of his people. He was a strong believer in the right balance between family and work and tried to make sure we maintained that balance, as well."

Colonel McCorry will be enshrined in Memorial Park, as well. He retired from the Air Force in 1989 after 23 years of service and passed away Dec. 23, 2009.

In 1980 one of Colonel McCorry's assignments brought him to Hanscom and the AWACS program office where he specialized in configuration management for the U.S., NATO and Saudi AWACS programs. He chaired Configuration Control Boards, developed a value engineering program, led functional and physical configuration audit teams and reviewed and evaluated specification changes, engineering change proposals and interface control documents. While in this assignment, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Colonel McCorry went on to another assignment, but in 1986 returned to Hanscom as Joint STARS Configuration and Data Management director. He managed contract requirements for the E-8C aircraft research and development program and led a team of engineers and technicians in maintaining configuration control of specifications, change documentation, functional audits and interface control documentation.

The lieutenant colonel created the Engineering Data Management Office processes for thorough review of engineering drawings, design reviews and audits of contractor facilities to ensure quality and completeness of engineering data.

Upon retirement in 1989, Colonel McCorry transitioned to a support contractor position in the Joint STARS program office.

"For more than 40 years, as both an Air Force officer and civilian contractor, Dennis McCorry demonstrated excellence and professionalism in every assignment," said Mr. Jacques.

More than 60 people are commemorated with trees, bronze plaques and benches throughout Memorial Park.

"This park inspirationally reminds us of the values and ideals for which our Hanscom heroes stood tall," said Mr. Jacques.

All Hanscom personnel are invited to attend the ceremony.