Lieutenant Colonel Bruce L. Sooy, USAF (Ret.)
04/08/1917 – 05/13/2023
Vacaville, California
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce L. Sooy, USAF (Ret.), one of the last of “The Greatest Generation” and a 65-year resident of Vacaville, passed away May 13, 2023 at the age of 106.
Bruce was born April 8, 1917 in Greenbank, New Jersey. His parents died in the flu epidemic of 1918. He was adopted and raised by his maternal grandparents, Mark and Estella Sooy. As a young boy he worked in his grandfather’s garage, picked cranberries, and cut fire lines in the Pine Barrens for the Civilian Conservation Corps. After turning 18, he went to work for the Wicaco Machine Company as a machinist. In 1939, Bruce enlisted as a private in the Army Air Corps where he became a crew chief on a B-17 bomber and later a line chief in charge of 7 other crew chiefs.
In 1942, after being encouraged by several pilots in his unit, Bruce took and passed the Aviation Cadet Exam. One of his training bases was in Phoenix, AZ. While on a bus, returning to the base, he gave up his seat to a pretty brunette telephone operator named Evelyn Keyes. Evelyn would become the love of his life. Their love affair would last 67 years, ending with Evelyn’s death in 2013.
After completing pilot training, Bruce was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and assigned to Gowan Field, in Boise, Idaho. There he trained as a co-pilot on a B-17. Shortly before graduation, he was asked to stay at Gowan Field and train his own crew flying the faster B-24 Liberator. Once this training was complete Bruce was assigned as an aircraft commander and he and his crew were sent overseas to Wendling, England in August 1943.
Bruce and his crew started flying operational missions in October 1943 and by March 1944 they had completed 22 of their required 25 missions. Their 23rd mission was to Friedrichshafen, Germany on March 18th. After they dropped their bombs, they were attacked by scores of Luftwaffe fighters resulting in the loss of 16 of the 24 Liberators in his flight element including Bruce’s bomber, “Pink Lady”. All ten crew members bailed out safely, were captured and spent the next 13 months as prisoners of war.
After his release from prison camp and return to the United States, Bruce and Evelyn were married. Bruce became a test pilot at both Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio and Muroc Dry Lake Testing Facility (now Edwards AFB), CA. He was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida and served consecutive two-year tours at Wiesbaden AFB, Germany and Burtonwood AFB, England before receiving his last assignment at Travis AFB where he served in several capacities including commander of the 1501st Field Maintenance Squadron before retiring in November of 1960. Throughout his military career, he flew more than 19 different types of military aircraft. He subsequently went back to work for the Air Force for another 19 years, retiring in 1979 as the Deputy Director of Logistic Plans for the 22nd Air Force.
Bruce and Evelyn enjoyed their retirement traveling the United States in their trailer and country western dancing even after Evelyn was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Bruce is preceded in death by his wife Evelyn and his son-in-law, Dr. Albert Mitchell. He is survived by his three children, Mark (Debbie) of Gardnerville, Nevada, Yvonne Mitchell of Fairfield and Carol Passantino (Sal) of North Bend, WA. He also leaves behind a grandson, Sal Passantino, Jr., step grandson Brian Mitchell and step granddaughters Kristina McClellin and Maria Mitchell and four step great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, May 23rd from 5 to 8 pm at Vaca Hills Chapel, 524 Elmira Rd. Vacaville, CA with a funeral service with full military honors on Wednesday, May 24th at 10:15 am at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon, CA. A reception will follow and the location will be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Bruce’s name to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation (T2T.ORG), 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306
Funeral Arrangements by
Vaca Hills Chapel Funeral Home www.vacahillschapel.com
707-446-3233