Col. Bruce Palmer, 89, a retired Air Force officer, died on April 9, 2010, at the Falcon's Landing Retirement Community in Potomac Falls, Virginia.

Col. Palmer, a native of Dahlonega, Georgia graduated from North Georgia College and taught elementary school in Dahlonega before being commissioned into the Army Air Corps in September of 1941. He attended Air Force Pilot School in Wendover Utah, and during 1943-45 commanded the 789th Heavy Bomber Squadron in the 467th Bombardment Group of the 8th Army Air Force in Rackheath, England, on the eastern coast of England in County Norfolk. On D Day he led two missions over the English Channel in support of the invasion troops, seeing the armada landing on the beaches of Normandy below. Col. Palmer returned with his family to Rackheath in 2001, for a reunion of the Second Air Division Association, and the dedication of their Memorial Room in the new Millennium Library in Norwich, England. Col. Palmer's assignments after WWII included command of Air Force pilot training schools in Mississippi, Texas and Florida, as Base Commander at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, and as Deputy Base Commander at James Connolly Air Force Base in Texas. He served as Chief of Communications in the Command Post at the Pentagon from 1964-67; then had a tour of duty with Military Assistance Command as training and logistics advisor to the Chinese Air Force in Taipei, Taiwan from 1967-69, before retiring from service at the Pentagon in 1970.

He graduated from Air Command and Staff College in 1950; received his Bachelor's Degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee in 1962; and a Master's Degree in Business Education from the University of Maryland in 1971. He taught accounting and business principles for 10 years in Anne Arundel, Maryland public schools before retiring in 1981.

During his retirement years, Col. Palmer volunteered at the Mount Vernon Hospital Mental Health Center, mentoring clients in their personal finances management and their interviewing skills. He also participated in the Meals on Wheels Program in the Mount Vernon Area.

Col. Palmer was an avid golfer, gardener, bridge player, and reader. He and his wife, Mary, treasured time with their family of four generations. They enjoyed extensive travel together, and took much pleasure in being dog owners.

Among his military awards were the Distinguished Flying Crosses, the French Croix De Guerre, and the Legion of Merit.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mary Carroll Palmer of Potomac Falls; three children, Michael Palmer of Fairfax, Margaret Palmer of Burke, Jonathan Palmer of Cairo, Egypt; two grandchildren, Michael R. Palmer of Annandale and Julie Shier Bakir of Fairfax Station; three great grandsons: Jakob Palmer, Jackson Palmer, and Noah Bakir; one great granddaughter, Hanna Bakir; and one brother, L. Wayne Palmer of Dahlonega, Georgia.

Interment with full military honors will be held on Thursday, July 29th, at 11:00 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Col. Palmer may be made to:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
ATTN: Tribute Gifts
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 780
New York, NY 10008-0780