Gregory McAdams of Boeing

Gregory A. McAdams, 77, of Haddon Heights, who earned a Distinguished Flying Cross during a 21-year career as a Marine Corps pilot, died of heart failure Thursday, Jan. 28, at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

Mr. McAdams, who retired in 1982 as a lieutenant colonel, earned among other honors a presidential unit citation and a Republic of Vietnam meritorious unit citation.

He then joined the Boeing Co. in Ridley Township, where in 2000 he retired as a senior manager for business development of the V-22 Osprey, a military aircraft that can take off like a helicopter.

Ross Clark, a former Boeing deputy program manager for the Osprey effort, said Mr. McAdams "was the one who kept the V-22 program alive, with all the trials and tribulations we had."

Clark, a coworker from 1984 to 1998, said Mr. McAdams was "a good friend. And we worked closely there, very well."

Born in Camden, Mr. McAdams grew up in Haddon Heights, graduated in 1956 from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia, and during his Marine career earned a bachelor's degree at St. Joseph's University.

"After Prep," Mr. McAdams wife, Anne, said, "he went to Villanova for 31/2 years.

"In January of his senior year, a recruiter for the Marine Corps talked to the seniors and he gave this incredible talk about Marine aviation.

"He said, 'Is there anyone in the room who wants to be a pilot?' and Greg stood up and signed on the bottom line."

Just as surprising, she said, was that Mr. McAdams "had never been in a plane."

Between one of his three tours of duty in South Vietnam, she said, "the Marine Corps gave him a year off to go back and complete his degree," this time at St. Joseph's University.

During his service in Vietnam, his wife said, he earned 41 air medals for more than 800 missions, flying helicopters to rescue military personnel.

His final assignment in the corps took him to the Pentagon, she said, "and while there, he became involved with the V-22, trying to explain to Boeing what the Marine Corps needed."

After joining Boeing, she said, "he was one of the pilots who first flew" a predecessor of the V-22.

"He became thrilled with it," she said, because "he saw both sides of it, the military and the civilian."

Besides his wife, Mr. McAdams is survived by sons Leonard and Joel, daughter Anne Gorrigan, three brothers, a sister, and two grandchildren. Son William died in 2013.

Services took place on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Donations may be sent to Haddon Heights Public Library, Box 240, Haddon Heights, N.J. 08035.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.healeyfuneralhomes.com.

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