Thomas F.
McCord ’40
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Army Brig. Gen.
The Woodlands, TX
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord graduated from Texas A&M University in 1940 with a bachelor of science degree in geology.
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord was inducted into the Military Intelligence Corps Hall of Fame on June 24, 2005.
COL McCord began his career with a number of diverse military assignments, including tactical level infantry combat in the Pacific theater in World War II. His first Army Intelligence assignment was in 1950 as a student at an Army Russian language school. He graduated sixth in a class of fifty-five and was chosen as a student for the Army's elite two-year Foreign Area Specialist Training Program in Russian Studies at Regensburg, Germany.
In 1954, he served as an Operations and Case officer in Detachment 35, an intelligence collection unit based in Austria. He was involved in the debriefings of Soviet military personnel defectors and in other operations developing intelligence on the Soviet forces.
Brig. Gen. Thomas F. McCord passed away in 2008.
Jay T.
Robbins ’40
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
Scott AFB, IL
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins was the vice commander of Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins received his Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1940 and commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Lt. Gen. Jay T. Robbins retired on September 1, 1974 and passed away on March 3, 2001.
William A.
Becker ’41
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Army Maj. Gen.
Kaufman, TX
A Kaufman County native, Bill Becker was born on his family homestead April 2,1919. He graduated from Kaufman High School in 1936. He later attended Texas A&M College, where he was a member of the 1939 ROTC national championship pistol team, and also a member of the four-man horse show team. He was junior editor of the yearbook and was elected senior editor but resigned to serve as cadet corps commander during his senior year. Upon graduation in 1941, he was given a diploma, a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of field artillery, and orders to report within eight days to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. Maj. Gen. Becker was sent to fight in the Southwest Pacific Theater during WWII, and in four years, he advanced from the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel. Upon return from WWII he was assigned to the military staff at Texas A&M during which time he met the love of his life and wife of over 55 years, Frances Carlyle. He also served in Vietnam as Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE). What began as a military career on horseback concluded in a helicopter as a rated pilot. Over his 30-year career he had a variety of other commands and assignments. His last active duty assignment was to the Pentagon with the Office of the Secretary of the Army, as Chief of Legislative Liaison, working with the United States Congress from 1968-1971. During his years of service he was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. Upon retirement from the Army, Bill returned to his home community with his wife, Fran, and their four children where he established a real estate brokerage and enjoyed cattle ranching on his beloved Becker farm. He continued his dedication to service to his community, county and country through numerous civic organizations and appointments. Above all else, he valued his role as husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. Bill is preceded in death by his wife Frances Becker. He is survived by his children William Becker of Terrell and wife Jennifer, daughter Anne Becker Tolbert and husband Jerry of Woodville, son Christopher Becker of Becker and wife Gay, daughter Kimberly Becker Barnett of Rowlett and husband Keith, and sister Ellen Dodson of Texarkana and husband Ed, Arkansas. He was blessed with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. During a special ceremony in Kemp, Texas US Congressman Jeb Hensarling presented General Becker with remarks from the Congressional Record honoring him for his service. "President Calvin Coolidge once said the Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten. As a veteran, Gen. Becker understands that better than most Americans. It is because of his service that we are able to enjoy the many blessings that God has bestowed upon this great land, the United States of America."
George L.
Cassell ’41
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Navy Rear Adm.
Alexandria, VA
Rear Admiral George L. Cassell, USN (Ret.) made his last takeoff on Thursday, March 19, March 2009. He was married to his wife of 65 years, Ellen Yates Cassell. During WWII, Admiral Cassell flew 43 combat missions from USS Yorktown (CV-10), while attached to Fighting Squadron Three. At the time, he was among the first carrier-based night fighter pilots flying the F6F Hellcat. After WWII, he commanded Attack Squadron 126 (F7U-3 Cutlass), USS Nitro (AE-23) and the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) - the latter for an 11 month deployment in the waters off Vietnam. He had duty on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the staff of Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, and the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet. In 1968 he was selected for Flag rank and was assigned as the Deputy Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe in Napes, Italy. In October 1971, he commanded Antisubmarine Warfare Group TWO on board USS Wasp (CVS-18), and later Antisubmarine Warfare Group FOUR on board the USS Intrepid (CVS-11). He then became Commander Fleet Air Quonset Point and Commander Hunter-Killer Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. His next and final duty was Commandant Eighth Naval District, over specified activities, as well as area coordination over all shore activities within the geographical limits of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. After temporary assignment to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, he retired in September 1977 as the Grey Eagle. His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement against Japanese forces, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Navy Unit Commendation. Rear Admiral Cassell was a member of the Golden Eagles Association. While at Texas A&M University, George Cassell studied chemical engineering.
George P.
Cole ’41
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
New Orleans, LA
Brigadier General George P. Cole is assistant deputy chief of staff for materiel, Strategic Air Command, Offutt, Air Force Base, Neb.
General Cole was born in 1919 in New Orleans, La. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, Fla., in 1937 and attended the University of Florida for three years prior to transferring to Texas A&M College. He entered the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in April 1941, and attended flying training at Americus and Macon, Ga.; and in December 1941 he graduated from advanced flying school at Selma, Ala., with a commission as second lieutenant and his pilot wings.
From 1942 to 1944, General Cole served as base aircraft maintenance officer for the Radar Training Center at Boca Raton Field, Fla. During this period he directed search and rescue operations involving a downed aircraft in which radar was used for the first time. He was cited for his efforts in locating the disabled aircraft and successfully directing rescue operations. In 1944 he attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
In 1945, he went to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations, and became aircraft maintenance and materiel officer for a B-29 aircraft wing. From June 1946 to July 1949, General Cole was chief of maintenance for the Joint Brazil-United States Military Commission in Rio de Janero, Brazil.
General Cole returned to the United States and served as chief of supply at Second Air Force Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., from October 1949 to December 1952. As chief of supply, he instituted many innovations designed to help the aircraft maintenance man, foremost of which was the supply delivery system now in use throughout the Air Force. In January 1953 he became director of materiel and later vice commander of the 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. This was the first B-47 aircraft equipped Strategic Air Command wing and was the first deployed with these aircraft to a forward area. He was active in the development of procedures to place the aircraft in his wing and follow-on wings on temporary duty in England and in setting up 90-day rotation procedures between United States bases in England, Spain and Morocco.
In 1955, General Cole became commander of Ben Guerir Air Base, Morocco. He returned to the United States in July 1957 to attend the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. His next assignment was as commander of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., where he later became director of training for the 1st Missile Division.
General Cole was appointed director of materiel at Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, March Air Force Base, Calif., in July 1960. In this position he was instrumental in accepting the first operational squadrons for Atlas, Titan and Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles into the Strategic Air Command inventory.
In July 1965, he assumed command of the 95th Bombardment Wing at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, which was equipped with B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. He next moved to Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, N.M., where he commanded the 6th Strategic Aerospace Wing for a short period.
He was appointed commander of the 12th Strategic Aerospace Division in September 1966 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. He became assistant deputy chief of staff for materiel, Headquarters Strategic Air Command in June 1968.
Brig. Gen. George P. Cole retired in 1970 and passed away in 1997.
Hubert O.
Johnson ’41
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Houston, TX
Brigadier General Hubert O. Johnson Jr. was the director of facilities management in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Brig. Gen. Hubert O. Johnson was born in 1921, in Houston, TX. He received a bachelor of science degree in engineering administration in 1946 and master of engineering degree in civil engineering in 1955 from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, College Station, Texas.
He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve in June 1941 through the Reserve Officers Training Corps.
He was responsible for policy formulation, plans, programs, management and surveillance of execution on a worldwide basis of the maintenance and operation of the Department of Defense property and resources. He was a registered professional engineer with the State of Texas, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and is the national president of the Society of American Military Engineers, 1973-1974.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the French Croix-de-Guerre with Silver Star. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the National Capital Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, for distinguished service to boyhood, 1964.
Brig. Gen. Hubert O. Johnson retired on August 1, 1974 and passed away on August 10, 1999.
Seaborn J.
Buckalew, Jr. ’42
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Army Brig. Gen.
Anchorage, AK
Seaborn Buckalew, Jr. was a retired Alaska Superior Court Judge, a former territorial legislator, a former territorial U.S. Attorney, and a Alaska Constitutional Convention Delegate in Anchorage, Alaska. He was married to Marcy Buckalew. While at Texas A&M University, he studied Liberal Arts.
Otto E.
Scherz ’42
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Angelo, TX
Maj. Gen. Otto Erwin Scherz was born in San Angelo, Texas, on July 15, 1921. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Architecture.
General Scherz's military career began upon graduation from college when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery, and assigned to the 561st Field Artillery Battalion.
He fought in World War II, in Europe, as a battery commander. After returning from World War II he became a member of the Texas Army National Guard. Continuing his military career he held positions such as, Division Artillery Commander and Assistant Division Commander. He was promoted to Maj. Gen. in March of 1976.
Among his numerous awards in recognition of his long and distinguished career are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. Otto E. Scherz retired on July 31, 1978. His military career spanned over 36 years. He passed away in 1993.
Charles M.
Taylor, Jr. ’42
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Army Brig. Gen.
Santa Barbara, CA
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Taylor, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a bachelor's degree in Economics.
Brig. Gen. Charles M. Taylor, Jr. passed away in 2000.
Harold C.
Teubner ’42
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner graduated from Texas A&M University in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering.
His most recent military job was the auditor general of the Air Force, Norton Air Force Base, California.
During World War II, he trained heavy bombardment combat crews. As a lead crew commander, he flew missions covering the Dutch East Indies, Burma, Malaya, China, Formosa, Manchuria and Japan. After World War II, General Teubner participated in the first nuclear weapons tests (Project Crossroads)
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in July 1962 and held successive assignments as chief of Electronics Division, deputy director of science and technology, and assistant for research and development programming in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development. He became deputy director of the budget, U.S. Air Force Comptroller in May 1966. In August 1967 he was assigned as deputy chief of staff for comptroller, Air Force Systems Command.
His personal military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Harold C. Teubner retired on March 1, 1973 and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Victor H.
Thompson, Jr. ’42
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Houston, TX
Brigadier General Victor H. Thompson, Jr. passed away September 1, 2011 in Houston TX. at the age of 90 years old.
He had two rewarding simultaneous careers as well as numerous civic leadership positions during his lifetime. His service in the Air Force spanned 37 1/2 years and he retired January 30, 1981 in the position of Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas, receiving the Legion of Merit for his outstanding service in this position.
He worked at Mosher Steel Company, Houston (now Trinity Industries, Inc.) for 49 years, retiring in 1989 as Sr. Vice President General Manager of Technical Services & Customer Relations. He was also Mayor of Hedwig Village, Houston TX from 1989-1993.
Other honors and awards he was given include the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, as well as numerous citizenship awards.
Mike P.
Cokinos ’43
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Army Lt. Gen.
Houston, TX
Lt. Gen. Mike P. Cokinos received a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University in Science in 1943.
He served in the U.S. Army. In 1951 he established the Cokinos Insurance Agency in Beaumont and served as an insurance consultant. He was also the President of the Texas A&M Lettermen’s Association, was a Vice President of The Association of Former Students, and is the 2004 Sul Ross Group President.
Mike P. Cokinos awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the American Defense.
Mike P. Cokinos retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1980.
Charles V.L.
Elia ’43
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Army Brig. Gen.
Garden Ridge, TX
Brig. Gen. Charles V.L. Elia has done extraordinary work in the veterinary service field.
He was a Corps Chief for the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps from 1972-1976. Veterinary Corps participation in all of our nation's conflicts since World War I has been an essential element in the maintenance of the health and well being of both animals and Soldiers. The highly technical education obtained by veterinarians has continued to prepare them for their changing mission requirements for over the past ninety years.
Today, the Army Veterinary Corps, composed of 780 veterinarians and warrant officers in both active and the Army Reserves, concludes ninety years of historic achievements about which it can be tremendously proud. Accomplishing its broad functions of food safety and security, animal care, veterinary public health, and research and development, will continue to be essential as long as the need for military forces remain.
He has an award named after him. The "BG Charles V.L. Elia Veterinary Excellence Medallion". To this date only 59 people have received this medallion, it is a great honor to receive this award.
Brig. Gen. Charles Elia is retired and currently resides in Garden Ridge, TX.
Harold B.
Gibson, Jr. ’43
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Army Maj. Gen.
Odenton, MD
Maj. Gen. Harold B. Gibson, Jr. was very active in his duties in the Army. He also generously supported the military efforts by donating to several different organizations after he retired. Two of the organizations he donated to was the Military Officers Association of America and The Army Distaff Foundation/Knollwood.
Maj. Gen. Harold B. Gibson, Jr. passed away in 2003.
Jack N.
Kraras ’43
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Army Brig. Gen.
Little Rock, AR
Brig. Gen. Jack N. Kraras graduated from Texas A&M University in 1942 with a bachelors degree in engineering, industrial education and later on graduated from Texas A&M University with masters in engineering, industrial education.
After retiring Brig. Gen. resided in Little Rock, AR. He passed away in 1996.
Tom E.
Marchbanks, Jr. ’43
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Brightwood, VA
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks Jr. was born in San Benito, Texas, in 1922. He graduated from Texas A&M College, College Station, Texas, from 1939 to 1942
He was the Chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks, Jr. was nominated by the president of the United States to serve as the first chief, Air Force Reserve, in the Office of the Air Force Reserve which was established by an Act of Congress; that nomination and the grade of major general was confirmed by the Senate in 1968.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon.
Maj. Gen. Tom E. Marchbanks, Jr. retired on January 31, 1971 and passed away on March 1, 1975.
Homer D.
Smith ’43
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Army Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Homer D. Smith graduated from Texas A&M University in 1943 with a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering.
As Chief of Staff of the 1st Logistics Command, Vietnam 1968, he was almost entirely responsible for the organization's administration. During this period, the organization was the largest in the United States Army, with an assigned strength of over 100,000 troops, who provided logistical support to Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines engaged in combat in the Da Nang area.
In 1974, he was assigned as Defense Attaché, U.S. Embassy, Vietnam and was responsible for the materiel assistance support to the Vietnam Armed Forces. In 1975, the escalating advances of the enemy required his expertise to plan and execute operation “Frequent Wind.” This operation resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of U.S. and Vietnamese citizens and culminated on April 29, 1975 with the evacuation of 1,373 U.S. citizens and 4,595 Third Country Nationals and Vietnamese citizens by U. S. Air Force and Marine helicoptors. He departed the Defense Attaché Office at Tan Son Nhut Air Base only hours prior to the evacuation of the Marine Landing Force and the demolition of the communication equipment.
As Commanding General, U.S. Army Logistics Center, he increased the credibility and visibility of the Logistics Center, by increasing the number of visits and contacts made by its staff. Because of his experience and expertise, he was chosen as the first Director of Logistics, NATO International Staff, Brussels, Belgium following his retirement on August 1, 1979.
Maj. Gen. Homer D. Smith is retired from his military career and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.
Guy M.
Townsend ’43
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Mercer Island, WA
Brig. Gen. Guy M. Townsend attended Texas A&M University, he is class of 1943. While at Texas A&M, he studied aeronautical engineering.
He was the deputy for systems management, Aeronautical Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command at Wright –Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As an Air Force officer, he served as chief of bomber test at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, flew as co-pilot on the first flight of the B-52 Stratofortress, was test force director for the XB-70 Valkyrie, and served as program director for the C-5 Galaxy and B-1 Lancer.
He was the first military pilot to fly the B-47 Stratojet, B-50 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, and the prototype of the KC-135 Stratotanker. During his years at Boeing, he was the head of the Supersonic Transport operations organization.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force and Army Commendation Medals, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Brig. Gen. Guy M. Townsend is retired and currently resides in Mercer Island, WA.
Merton D.
Van Orden ’43
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Navy Rear Adm.
Arlington, VA
Dick Van Orden ’43 was a member of Battery D – Coast Artillery while at Texas A&M. During his time at Texas A&M, Dick was involved in the Singing Cadets as well as the Army Student Pilots Training Program. After graduation, Dick served in the U.S. Navy where he retired as a Rear Admiral. In his free time, Dick enjoys being an author, sailing, and history. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
George W.
Connell ’45
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Army Brig. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Brigadier General George W. Connell attended Texas A&M from 1941 to 1943 before he entered the army as a Private.
He served as Commander of the Department of Defense Property Disposal Command, which consisted of 226 offices and operations in 23 countries of the world.
Brig. Gen. George W. Connell awards and decorations include Legion of Merit medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medals, and numerous service awards.
Brig. Gen. George W. Connell retired on September 1, 1994 and passed away in 2004.
Irby B.
Jarvis, Jr. ’45
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Sweetwater, TX
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. was the commander of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the 2750th Air Base Wing.
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. was born in 1921, in Lookeba, OK. However he considers Sweetwater, TX his one and only hometown. He attended Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) through his junior year when his class was called to active duty in 1944. He later finished his bachelor of arts degree in 1952 at Sacramento State College in CA.
He was a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours as an instructor and pilot, including 88 combat missions totaling 165 combat hours in the F-4E Phantom in Southeast Asia. He became quadruple rated in 1953 with the additional aeronautical ratings of navigator, bombardier, and radar observer.
His military decorations and awards include but are not limited to the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem.
BG Irby B. Jarvis, Jr. retired from the Air Force on February 1, 1975 and passed away on May 15, 1982.
Joseph E.
Wesp ’45
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
San Marcos, TX
Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Wesp attended Texas A&M University, he was class of 1945.
He was the command surgeon, Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force, Base, Texas. Previously, he assumed command of the USAF Medical Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and was a clinical professor for obstetrics and gynecology by Wright State University College of Medicine.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Wesp passed away in 2006.
John H.
Miller ’46
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Marine Corps Lt. Gen.
College Station, TX
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller was born April 16, 1925, in San Angelo. In 1942 he entered Texas A&M College but within a year he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1943.
He served in the United States, on Okinawa and Japan, and attained the rank of staff sergeant prior to his release from active duty in April 1946, General Miller received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M College and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant in June 1949.
Upon completing The Basic School, Quantico, Va., in June 1950, General Miller participated in combat operations in Korea as a company officer, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with gold star in lieu of a second award, and Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars for this service. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June 1951.
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller military awards and decorations include but are not limited to, he Legion of Merit with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star in lieu of a second award, the Purple Heart Medal with two gold stars in lieu of second and third awards, Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Additionally he holds the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars.
Lt. Gen. John H. Miller is retired and currently resides in College Station, TX.
Wesley E.
Peel ’46
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Army Maj. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Peel served as Engineer of the U.S. Army Pacific and commanded the U.S. Army Engineer Division, Pacific Ocean and the North Pacific Division of the Corps of Engineers, with headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
Maj. Gen. Peel retired from active military service in 1979 after more than 30 years of active duty.
His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Maj. Gen. Peel passed away in August 2020.
Allen D.
Rooke, Jr. ’46
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Army Brig. Gen.
Victoria, TX
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. graduated from Texas A&M University in 1946 with a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering.
Brig. Gen. Allen D. Rooke, Jr. passed away in 2009.
William L.
Webb, Jr. ’46
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Army Maj. Gen.
Vienna, VA
Maj. Gen. William L. Webb, Jr. attended Texas A&M University, he is class of 1946.
Maj. Gen. William L. Webb, Jr. is retired and currently resides in Vienna, VA.
David O.
Williams, Jr. ’46
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Austin, TX
Brig. Gen. David O. Williams, Jr. was chief of staff at U.S. Taiwan Defense Command with headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Previously, he served as deputy director for operational test and evaluation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
His military awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Brig. Gen. David O. Williams, Jr. retired from his military career and resided in Austin, TX. He passed away on August 18, 2019.
Charles Lowry
Wilson ’46
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Air Force Maj. Gen
Switzerland
General Wilson was born in 1924, in Paris, Texas. He graduated from Paschal High School, Forth Worth, Texas, in 1942 and attended Texas A&M University for one year. In May 1944, he graduated from aviation cadet flying training as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
He then served 18 months in the Southwest Pacific as a C-47/C-46 pilot and operations officer with the 403d Troop Carrier Group. He left active duty in August 1946 and become a member of the organized reserve at Hensley Field, Dallas, Texas, where he was an active flier for four years while attending Southern Methodist University. He graduated from SMU in 1950 with two bachelor's degrees, one in science (mechanical engineering) and the other a double major in business administration (statistics and industrial production management).
In May 1951, during the Korean war, he was called to active duty for 21 months as operations officer with the 443d Troop Carrier Group, Donaldson Air Force Base, S.C. Soon after his return to inactive duty, he accepted a regular Air Force commission on Aug. 3, 1953, and then served four years with the U.S. Air Forces in Europe as a group and wing operations officer in the 465th and 317th troop carrier wings.
After one year in the Class of '58 at Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., he served two years as a plans officer at Headquarters 1st Missile Division, Strategic Air Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. From July 1961 to July 1963, he was a graduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Cambridge, Mass., where he received a master of science degree in aeronautics and astronautics.
General Wilson next served two years as an astronautical engineer and plans officer in the Directorate of Plans at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He then attended the U.S. Army War College in the Class of '66 at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
In July 1966 he was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., as chief, Strategic and Defense Branch, Directorate of Command Control and Communications. He later served two years in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as chief, Systems Division, Joint Command Control Requirements Group.
In July 1970, he left Washington and began a four-year tour of duty in Air Force Systems Command. First he served a year in Los Angeles, Calif., as deputy commander of the Air Force Satellite Control Facility in the Space and Missile Systems Organization, then spent 10 months at Bedford, Mass., as vice commander, Electronic Systems Division, L.G. Hanscom Field. In May 1972 he moved to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as the inspector general in Headquarters Air Force Systems Command; then in September 1972, he became chief of staff for procurement and production, and responsible for procurement policy and guidance for 5,600 personnel handling annual contract awards of more than $6.5 billion.
In August 1974, General Wilson assumed duties as chief, Special Project Office, Static War Headquarters, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium, where for almost four years he was directly responsible to the chief of staff for coordinating and managing a $100 million international project for acquisition of a new protected underground command center for SHAPE. He assumed his present duty as vice commander of the Acquisition Logistics Division, AFLC, in May 1978.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem and the Missileman Badge. He is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours.
He was promoted to the grade of major general effective May 1, 1975, with a date of rank of July 1, 1972.
Walter H.
Baxter, III ’47
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Air Force Maj. Gen
Boerne, TX
Retired August 01, 1982
Died May 10, 2004
Maj. Gen. Walter H. Baxter III is commander, 3rd Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall, Suffolk, England.
General Baxter was born in southern Texas in 1926 and graduated from high school in his hometown of Weslaco, Texas, in 1943. He then attended what is now the University of Texas at Arlington and in 1944 enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. In 1946 he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and upon graduation in 1950 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. General Baxter is also a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
He entered flying training at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas, and received his wings at Craig Air Force Base, Ala., in 1951. He went through gunnery school at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., and went on to South Korea where he flew F-51s with the 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter-Bomber Group. As a lieutenant he became a squadron operations officer and led group strikes deep into North Korea.
The general returned to the United States in August 1952 and was assigned to Clovis Air Force Base, N.M., where he served with the 10th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 50th Fighter-Bomber Wing. A year later General Baxter transferred to Langley Air Force Base, Va., with the 509th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing. While there he wrote many of the plans and procedures for tactical mobility that continue today in the Tactical Air Command.
In June 1955 he joined the 20th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England, where he served as both flight commander, and wing gunnery and bombing officer until May 1958. He was then assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as course director and executive officer in the department of military studies.
General Baxter became director of officer training and an instructor pilot in August 1961, flying T-33s and T-38s at Webb Air Force Base, Texas. In September 1963 he entered the Air Command and Staff College. Upon graduation in June 1964, he was assigned to Williams Air Force Base, Ariz.; where he served at various times as wing executive, director of plans and T-38 operations officer.
In early 1966 General Baxter went through F-4 training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and in June transferred to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, Germany, where he served as operations officer of the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron for one year and as commander of the squadron for two years.
General Baxter returned to the United States to enter the Army War College. Following graduation in June 1970, he went to Southeast Asia with the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. He flew 125 combat missions in F-4s while serving as deputy commander for operations and later as vice commander of the wing.
In September 1971 General Baxter transferred to Reese Air Force Base, Texas, as deputy commander for operations. In January 1972 he took command of the 64th Flying Training Wing at Reese. He became vice commander of Keesler Technical Training Center, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., in July 1974. In March 1975 he was selected to command the 13th Air Force advance echelon at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, which in July 1975 was renamed the 17th Air Division. It was during this assignment that these forces played a significant role in the evacuation of Phnom Penh and Saigon, the reclaiming of American equipment in Southeast Asia and the rescue of the "Mayaguez."
General Baxter served as vice commander of 13th Air Force with duty at U-Tapoo Royal Thai Naval Airfield, Thailand, from January to June 1976. He then became commander of the 313th Air Division and the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing on Okinawa.
From September 1978 to August 1979, he was commander of the 24th North American Air Defense Command and 24th Aerospace Defense Command Region at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. He then served with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as air deputy, Northern European Command, at Kolsas, Norway. The general assumed his present command in July 1981.
He is a command pilot and has more than 4,700 hours flying time in 24 types of aircraft - primarily fighters. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. For his service on Okinawa, he was awarded the 3rd Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government.
He was promoted to major general June 1, 1978, with date of rank Sept. 1, 1974.
Guy H.
Goddard ’47
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Washington, D.C.
Major General Guy H. Goddard was General Goddard was born in Woodsfield, Ohio, in 1918.
After a year in the College of Engineering, Ohio State University, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, from which he graduated in 1941 with a bachelor of science degree and commission as Second Lieutenant. He received his Master of Science degree in civil engineering at Texas A&M University in 1947.
He served as the director of civil engineering at the Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C. In this position, he was responsible for the worldwide management and direction of Air Force programs involving design, construction, maintenance, and operation of real property facilities.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Guy H. Goddard retired on January 1, 1972 and passed away on June 2, 2005.