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.
George H.
Beverley ’19
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Saint Petersburg, FL
Brigadier General George H. Beverley was born in Amarillo, Texas, in 1897, attended high school at Carlsbad, N.M., and graduated from high school at Dalhart, Texas. In 1915, he entered Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, which he left two years later to become a flying cadet in the Air Service.
After attending ground school at the University of Texas at Austin and training at Kelly Field, Texas, he received his wings and a commission as a temporary second lieutenant in the Air Service in July 1918.
His career with the Air Force from the beginning of World War I to the end of World War II, is an outstanding example of the work of those men who were pioneers of military aviation in 1917 and who helped lead the United States to victory in 1945.
General Beverley has been awarded the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster. His foreign decorations include the Mexican Medal of Military Merit, First Class; the Necklet Paotang awarded him by the Chinese Government for his work in connection with the training of Chinese students at the San Antonio Air Materiel command, and the Order of Military Merit in the grade of Commander presented him by the Brazilian Government for services rendered as military and air attache to Brazil.
Brig. Gen. George H. Beverley retired on August 1, 1949 and resided in Saint Petersburg, FL. He passed away on September 15, 1988.
Robert C.
Beyer, Jr. ’53
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Tampa, FL
General Beyer was born in Dallas in 1932. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree and commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., in 1956. The general received a master of science degree from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1976. He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., in 1971; and from the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1976.
General Beyer was then ordered to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., as an air officer commanding a cadet squadron. After two years, he was appointed the first exchange officer to the U.S. Military Academy as a tactical officer in the Office of the Commandant of Cadets.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,600 flying hours and has flown F-102s; F-4C's, D's and E's; and F-5E's.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with "V" device and oak leaf cluster.
Brig. Gen. Robert C. Beyer, Jr. retired August 1, 1987. He passed away on August 22, 2015.
Jay D.
Blume, Jr. ’63
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Montgomery, TX
Major General Jay D. Blume was a special assistant for base closure, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He develops and implements Air Force programs in support of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Acts and is the focal point for Air Force activities involving base realignment and closure actions.
General Blume commanded fighter squadron, fighter wing, the NATO Airborne Early Warning Force Component and a technical training center before assuming his current duties.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in industrial engineering, both from Texas A&M University.
He was a command pilot with over 4,900 flight hours. Some of the aircraft he flew included the E-3A, F-4, F-16, F-100, T-38, T-37, T-33.
His major awards and decorations include but are not limited to the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Vietnam Service Medal with two service starts, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters.
Maj. Gen. Jay D. Blume, Jr. retired on February 1, 1996 and currently resides in Montgomery, TX.
Malcolm F.
Bolton ’61
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Phoenix, AZ
Brig. Gen. Malcolm F. Bolton was born in Houston in 1939, and graduated from Pasadena (Texas) High School in 1957. He received a bachelor of science degree from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, College Station, in 1961 and a master of science degree in management from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, in 1973. The general graduated from Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1974 and the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in 1978.
He was the assistant deputy chief of staff, plans, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. Before his present duties, he served as vice commander of the 58th Tactical Training Wing and became commander of the wing in June 1981.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Brig. Gen. Malcolm F. Bolton retired on February 1, 985 and currently resides in Phoenix, AZ.
Charles R.
Bond, Jr. ’49
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Richardson, TX
Major General Charles R. Bond, Jr. was a commander of the Twelfth Air Force in Waco, Texas. As commander he was responsible for the overall training and combat readiness of tactical fighter, airlift and reconnaissance units west of the Mississippi River.
In 1947, General Bond entered Texas A&M University under the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology program and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in management engineering.
He was also a member of the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers was a volunteer for service in China as part of a secret program, the American Volunteer Group, nicknamed the Flying Tigers. The group was made up of about 400 pilots and ground personnel and based in Burma, the Flying Tigers protected military supply routes between China and Burma and helped to get supplies to Chinese forces fighting the Japanese.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Seven Star Wing Medal.
Maj. Gen. Charles R. Bond, Jr. was one of the last surviving Flying Tigers until he passed away on August 18, 2009.
James L.
Brown ’50
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Marcos, TX
Major General James L. Brown was the assistant director for Joint Chiefs of Staff support, Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C.
Maj. Gen. James L. Brown was born in Huntsville, TX in 1928. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U.S. Air Force. He received a Master of Science degree in public administration from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. in 1964.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon.
Maj. Gen. James L. Brown retired on July 1, 1982 and passed away on February 26, 2002.
John H.
Buckner ’40
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckner was vice commander of the Twelfth Air Force (Tactical Air Command) at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas.
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckney was born in Cleburne, Texas, in 1919. He attended Texas A&M prior to entering the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y and earning his bachelor of science degree.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 20 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with two oak leaf clusters and French Croix de Guerre. He was a command pilot.
Maj. Gen. John H. Buckner retired on November 1, 1971 and passed away on December 12, 2009.
Hiram H.
Burr, Jr. ’65
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Plano, TX
Major General H. Hale Burr Jr. was the assistant deputy under secretary of the Air Force, international affairs, Washington, D.C.
He was responsible for formulating and integrating U.S. Air Force policy with regards to politico-military affairs, security assistance, technology and information disclosure issues and attaché affairs in support of U.S. government objectives.
Maj. Gen. Hiram H. Burr, Jr. entered the Air Force in 1965 as a Distinguished Graduate of Texas A&M Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.
Maj. Gen Hiram H. Burr, Jr. retired on February 1, 1997 and currently resides in Plano, TX.
Norman L.
Callish ’30
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Carmichael, CA
Norman L. Callish was born in San Jose, Calif., in 1906. He attended Oregon State College; Loyola University, Los Angeles, Calif.; and the University of California at Los Angles.
He entered pilot training in 1933 and attended flying schools at both Randolph and Kelly fields, Texas. He graduated on Oct. 14, 1934, and was assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group at March Field, Calif., to pilot Martin B-12 bombers.
In the fall of 1935, while assigned to Hamilton Field, Calif., as a B-12 pilot, he was commissioned a second lieutenant. After a short tour of duty at Hamilton he was transferred to Hawaii for a two-year tour. Reassigned to Kelly Field, he became a flight instructor in the attack section. Now a first lieutenant, he was transferred to the bombardment section to instruct in B-18s, A-17s, and Keystone bombers.
Other assignments followed at Stockton, Mather, and Moffett fields, all in California. While at Moffett he served on the staff of the assistant chief of staff for operations and training, West Coast Air Corps Training Center.
General Callish was promoted to captain in 1941, and rose through the ranks of both major and lieutenant colonel in 1942. During the same year he became the assistant chief of staff, A-3, for the Western Flying Training Command, and in 1943 he received his promotion to full colonel.
In 1944 he became chief of the pilot section, A-3, Air Training Command headquarters, Fort Worth, Texas.
In August 1945 he became a group commander in the 313th Bombardment Wing on Tinian Island. In March 1946 he moved with the 313th to Clark Field in the Philippines. In April 1947 the 313th was deactivated, and General Callish was moved to Okinawa where he became A-3 for the 1st Air Division.
He returned to the United States in November 1947 and entered the Armed Forces Staff College from which he graduated in June 1948. He was then assigned as deputy chief, Special Services Branch, Personnel Services Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. In July 1949 he became chief of the Enlisted Assignments Division, Deputy Chief of Staff/Personnel at Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
In July 1952 the general entered the National War College which he completed a short time before receiving his next assignment as commander of Ellington Air Force Base, July 21, 1953. He commanded Ellington, a navigator-training base, for five years. In August 1958 he took command of another navigator training installation, Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas.
He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in May 1959, and the following August he became commander of Mather Air Force Base and the 3535th Navigator Training Wing which operates the U.S. Air Force's only advanced radar-navigation-bombardment school.
The general is an active member of Rotary International, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. He participates in community enterprises involving the military, and is a frequent speaker at service club and civic meetings. He participates in community enterprises involving the military, and is a frequent speaker at service clubs and civic meetings. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Decorations and Medals
Commendation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Japanese Occupation Meal, Air Force Commendation Ribbon.
Charles R.
Cargill ’53
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Bryan, TX
Maj. Gen. Charles R. Cargill was a mobilization assistant to the commander, Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
Maj. Gen. Charles R. Cargill was born in Waco, TX and raised in Eddy, TX. He entered Texas A&M University where he earned a bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing and a masters degree of Business Administration in Organization and Management.
He received his Reserve commission while at Texas A&m through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He was called to active duty in 1954 during the Korean conflict. He was assigned to the 1735th Air Transport Squadron, Air Evacuation, at Brookley Air Force Base, AL. He went on to serve with many other squadrons where he held the position of supply officer. In 1980 he was named mobilization assistant to the commander.
His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters and Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device.
Maj. Gen. Charles R. Cargill retired after 35 years of combined active and reserve service. He currently resides in College Station, TX.
Floyd L.
Carpenter ’77
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Barksdale AFB, LA
Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter is Commander, 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base and Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt AFB, NE.
Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter received his commission through the ROTC program at Texas A&M University in 1977. He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels, and from November 2002 through May 2003, he deployed as the Commander, 40th Air Expeditionary Wing, where he directed combat forces in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
"The Mighty Eighth" serves as the air component headquarters to USSTRATCOM for strategic deterrence, global strike, and operates USSTRATCOM's Joint Air Operations Center. The Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike plans and executes strategic deterrence and global strike operations for USSTRATCOM. General Carpenter also commands Task Force 204 which was activated in November 2007 to oversee Air Force nuclear bomber and reconnaissance activities in support of USSTRATCOM.
His major awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with silver oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star and the NATO Medal with bronze star (Former Republic of Yugoslavia).
Winifred N.
Carroll ’97
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Air Force Maj. Gen
San Antonio, TX
Maj. Gen. Winfred N. "Chuck" Carroll is mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He supports the DCS/IL in managing and integrating Air Force civil engineering and services; improving supply, transportation and
equipment maintenance policy; preparing budget estimates reflecting enhancements to both productivity and combat readiness; and measuring the logistics performance of subordinate commands against Air Force standards. He is responsible for the overall policy guidance and management of the DCS/IL individual mobilization augmentee program.
The general was commissioned in the Air Force in 1963 through the ROTC program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Upon completion of pilot training, he served as an instructor pilot to students from Vietnam and 22 other countries. He spent two years in South Korea in the Air Force Military Assistance Advisory Group as the air training adviser to the Republic of Korea air force. After leaving active duty, he flew as aircraft commander in KC-97L and KC-135 aircraft with the Ohio Air National Guard at Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio. Since 1984, he has been in the Air Force Reserve. Prior to his current assignment, he was mobilization assistant to the Director of Logistics, Air Combat Command. He is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours.
Patrick P.
Caruana ’72
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
Peterson AFB, CO
Lt. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana was the vice commander of Air Force Space Command at the Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.
He was born in St. Louis, MO., and enlisted in the Air Force in 1957. He became a C-119 crew chief, received an Air Force Academy appointment and graduated in 1963. He earned his masters of science degree in mathematics from Texas A&M University in 1972.
He was the air campaign planner and commander directing strategic forces in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War. The people he directed operated 12 wings of tanker, bomber and battle management aircraft in six nations and the Indian Ocean area. At the Pentagon, he directed long-range power projection, special operations forces airlift, and training programs. As Air Force Space Command's first 14th Air Force commander he directed the Air Force's only space force which supports warfighting worldwide with ballistic missile warning, control of Department of Defense and NATO satellites, spacelift generation and range operations, global space surveillance and warning, and ballistic missile test operations.
His major awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and National Defense Service Medal.
Lt. Gen. Patrick P. Caruana retired on September 1, 1997 and currently resides in Peterson AFB, CO.
Jimmy L.
Cash ’62
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Bigfork, MT
Brigadier General Jimmy L. Cash was the vice commander, 7th Air Force in Osan Air Base, South Korea.
General Cash was born in DeKalb, Texas, in 1939. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1962 and a master of science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1970. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1968, Armed Forces Staff College in 1975, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1976 and the Air War College in 1983.
In September 1962 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M. General Cash completed pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, and received pilot wings in May 1965.
Brig. Gen. Jimmy L. Cash awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal.
Brig. Gen. Jimmy L. Cash retired on June 1, 1991 and currently resides in Bigfork, MT.
James S.
Cassity, Jr. ’57
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Lt. Gen. Cassity was born in 1935 and considers Gary, Texas, his hometown. He was a 1958 graduate of Texas A&M University and received a master of science degree in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1969. He is a graduate of Defense Systems Management College, the Air War College and has completed Harvard Business School's advanced management program.
He was was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1958 and earned his pilot wings at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours, including 180 combat hours in helicopters. General Cassity's operational assignments include flying H-21 helicopters in support of missile testing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., in 1961 and 1962, then two years in the airborne early warning mission at Otis Air Force Base, Mass., as an EC-121 pilot and aircraft commander.
Lt. Gen. James Cassity awards and decorations include Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Lt. Gen. James S. Cassity, Jr. retired on July 1, 1991 and passed away on December 30, 2008.
George E.
Chapman ’65
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Scott AFB, IL
Brigadier General George E. Chapman was the commander of the Air Weather Service, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base.
With a force of nearly 5,000 people, he managed a worldwide system of military weather and space environmental facilities, providing support to the Air Force, Army and designated Department of Defense agencies.
He previously served as commander of the Air Force Global Weather Central, Offutt Air Force Base.
Brig. Gen. George E. Chapman’s awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Melvin F.
Chubb, Jr. ’62
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Air Force Lt. Gen.
Hanscom AFB, MA
Lieutenant General Melvin F. Chubb Jr. was commander of the Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts.
He received his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1962. He was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1955 after completing aviation cadet training. General Chubb then received advanced pilot training in F-86D's and was subsequently assigned to the 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
He previously served as deputy of Aeronautical Systems Division for strategic systems and deputy chief of staff for systems at Air Force Systems Command headquarters.
General Chubb is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours and wears the missile badge. He completed 500 combat missions with 1,000 combat hours.
Lt. Gen. Melvin F. Chubb, Jr. awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal.
John J.
Closner III ’62
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Washington, D.C.
Major General John J. Closner III was the chief of Air Force Reserve, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. and commander, Air Force Reserve, a field operating agency located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
As chief of Air Force reserve, General Closner serves as the principal adviser on Reserve matters to the Air Force chief of staff. As commander of Air Force Reserve, he has full responsibility for the supervision of all U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world.
His awards and decorations include Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. John J. Closner III retired in October 1994 and currently resides in Washington, D.C.
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.
Thomas G.
Darling ’54
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
College Station, TX
Major General Thomas G. Darling was deputy commander in chief and chief of staff U.S. Command Atlantic Command, U.S. Naval Station, Norfolk, VA. In August 1984 he was named vice commander, 15th Air Force, at March Air Force Base, CA. He assumed his duties as chief of staff for Atlantic Command in June 1986 and was assigned concurrent responsibilities as deputy commander in chief in September 1986.
His military awards and decorations include Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, and Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force Commendation Medal. In addition, General Darling was awarded the MacArthur Medallion for his leadership initiatives while serving as commandant of the Armed Forces Staff College.
Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Darling retired August 1, 1987 and currently resides in College Station, TX.
Howard C.
Davidson ’11
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Washington, D.C.
Maj. Gen. Howard C. Davidson was named executive officer of a bombardment wind at Hickam Field until 1941, when he assumed command of the 14th Pursuit Wing at Wheeler Field, Hawaii.
He later became the commanding general of the Hawaiian Interceptor Command, and served in that capacity until he served as commanding general of the Seventh Fighter Command.
Maj. Gen. Davidson was named special projects officer at the Proving Ground Command at Eglin Field, Florida and assumed command of the Tenth Air Force in July 1943. He was rated a command pilot, combat observer, and aircraft observer.
Maj. Gen. Davidson retired on June 30, 1946 and later passed away on November 7, 1984.
James 'Jimmy' G.
Dishner ’65
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
South Orleans, MA
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa - Massachusetts Maritime Academy - 2011
Brig. General James Dishner retired in 2003, after serving over 40 years in the active reserve and senior executive service of the U S Air Force. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary (Installations) from 1955 to 2003. After serving in Vietnam, Jimmy remained in the reserve and was called to active duty in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Presidential Meritorious Executive Service Award. He holds a B S in Civil Engineering from The Citadel, Master of Engineering from Texas A and M University and attended Harvard University in Innovation and Creativity. He has held senior positions in the construction industry and continues to demonstrate his commitment to his country and community serving on local committee's and habitat for humanity. He is a panel member for the Boston region of the White House Fellows Program, for the last 5 years and he continues a legacy of preparing the next generation of public service leaders. He hosts a community television show, "It All About You". Jimmy has served on the Board at Howard School of Divinity and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Michael L.
Downs ’92
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
San Angelo, TX
Maj. Gen. Downs has commanded the wing at Goodfellow AFB since June 2015. There, he oversees the Department of Defense Fire Academy and multi-service intelligence technical training. The wing is responsible for training more than 14,400 firefighting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warriors annually for the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, other government agencies, and allied nations.
Maj. Gen. Downs received his Bachelor of Political Science from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1992. He was an ROTC Distinguished Graduate and pinned on the gold bars of a Second Lieutenant in December 1992. He has held assignments at the squadron, Air and Space Operations Center, Major Command, Air Staff, Joint Staff and Office of the Secretary of Defense levels.
Maj. Gen. Downs has participated in 18 joint and combined operations and exercises in Central Command, European Command, Pacific Command, and Southern Command area of responsibilities and served in an array of capacities ranging from Director of Intelligence for a Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Balkans to the chief developer of the Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Jay T.
Edwards III ’62
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Oklahoma City, OK
General Edwards was born in 1931, in Clarksville, Tenn. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1954 with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. General Edwards has a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University and a master's degree in management from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Major General Jay T. Edwards was the commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center with headquarters at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Before assuming his duties, he was deputy chief of staff, logistics, at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
His awards and decorations include include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
Maj. Gen. Jay T. Edwards III retired on August 1, 1982 and currently resides in Oklahoma City, OK.
Richard L.
Engel ’68
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
Clinton, MD
Major General Richard L. Engel was the commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, national Defense University, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
He commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University and entered undergraduate training in 1968. Over his military career he has become a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
His awards and decorations include Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
Maj. Gen. Richard L . Engel retired on July 1, 2000 and currently resides in Clinton, MD.
William E.
Farthing ’14
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Air Force Maj. Gen.
William E. Farthing was born in Gainesville, Texas, on Aug. 7, 1892. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1914.
Following the outbreak of the World War, he attended Officers Training Camp at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Engineer Reserve, on active duty, on Aug. 15, 1917. He served continuously until Nov. 9, 1917, when he accepted a commission in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery on Nov. 9, 1917.
He continued on his military career traveling to Panama, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Washington D.C. and many other places.
Maj. Gen. William E. Farthing retired in 1945 and passed away in 1981.
William M.
Fraser III ’74
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Air Force General
Scott AFB, Ill.
Gen. William M. Fraser III is commander, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. USTRANSCOM is the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.
General Fraser entered the Air Force in 1974 as a distinguished graduate of the Texas A&M University ROTC program. His operational assignments include duty as a T-37, B-52, B-1, and B-2 instructor pilot and evaluator. General Fraser has commanded an operations group, two bomb wings and a major command. His staff duties include tours on the Air Staff, Joint Staff, and Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. He has also served as chief of staff for U.S. Strategic Command, as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 34th Vice Chief of Staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General Fraser has extensive wartime, contingency, and humanitarian relief operational experience. During Operation Enduring Freedom he led an intelligence fusion organization that provided direct support to the warfighter.
Prior to assuming his current position, General Fraser was the commander, Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Air Component Commander for U.S. Joint Forces Command, where he led over 130,000 Total Force Airmen.
General Fraser's major awards and decorations include, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, National Intelligence Medal of Achievement, Secretary's Distinguished Service Award, Department of State Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
James E.
Freytag ’59
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Air Force Brig. Gen.
Moulton, TX
Brig. Gen. James E. Freytag Freytag was born in 1936, in Moulton, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. Brig. Gen. Freytag received a master's degree in business administration from Auburn University in June 1969. He graduated from Squadron Officer School in 1966, Air Command and Staff College in 1969, and the Air War College in 1975.
He was the deputy commander for strategic systems, Electronic Systems Division, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. During his military career he worked as a logistician with the 303rd Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command, David Monthan Air Force Base, AZ. Upon completion of missile training at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, in August 1962, he returned to Davis Monthan Air Force Base with an assignment to the 390th Strategic Missile Wing as a Titan II missile deputy combat crew commander. He traveled a little more throughout the United States.
Brig. Gen. James E. Freytag's military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. He also wears the Master Missileman Badge.
Brig. Gen. James E. Freytag retired on May 1, 1988 and resides in Moulton, TX.
Patrick K.
Gamble ’67
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Air Force Gen.
Anchorage, AK
General Patrick K. Gamble was the commander of Pacific Air Force, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He had responsibility for the Air Force activities that spread over half the globe in a command that supports 45,000 Air Force people serving principally in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Korea and Japan.
Gen. Patrick K. Gamble entered the Air Force in 1967 through the four year Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University. He flew 394 combat missions as a forward air controller in the O-1 Bird Dog in Vietnam. He has commanded a fighter squadron and three wings. Before assuming his current position, he was deputy chief of staff for air and space operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
His decorations and awards include Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation.
Gen. Patrick K. Gamble retired on May 1, 2001 and resides in Anchorage, AK.