List of United States Air Force four-star generals
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Flag_of_a_United_States_Air_Force_general.svg/160px-Flag_of_a_United_States_Air_Force_general.svg.png)
four-star general
This is a complete list of four-star generals in the United States Air Force. The rank of general (or full general, or four-star general) is the highest rank normally achievable in the U.S. Air Force. It ranks above lieutenant general (three-star general) and below General of the Air Force (five-star general).
There have been 234 four-star generals in the history of the U.S. Air Force. Of these, 230 achieved that rank while on active duty, 3 were promoted after retirement, and one was promoted posthumously. Generals entered the Air Force via several paths: 62 were commissioned via the U.S. Military Academy (USMA), 49 via the aviation cadet program, 45 via the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), 44 via Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university, 13 via AFROTC at a senior military college, nine via Air Force Officer Training School (OTS), four via the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), four via Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university, two via direct commission (direct), one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the Army National Guard (ARNG), and one via direct commission inter-service transfer from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
List of generals
[edit]Entries in the following list of four-star generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank,[1] active-duty positions held while serving at four-star rank,[2] number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank (Yrs),[3] year commissioned and source of commission,[4] number of years in commission when promoted to four-star rank (YC),[5] and other biographical notes (years of birth and death are shown in parentheses in the Notes column).[6]
# | Name | Photo | Date of rank | Position | Yrs[3] | Commission | YC[5] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Henry H. Arnold | ![]() |
19 Mar 1943 |
|
1 | 1907 (USMA) | 36 | (1886–1950) Promoted to General of the Army, 21 Dec 1944; to General of the Air Force, 7 May 1949. |
2 | Joseph T. McNarney | ![]() |
7 Mar 1945 |
|
7 | 1915 (USMA) | 30 | (1893–1972) |
3 | George C. Kenney | ![]() |
9 Mar 1945 |
|
6 | 1917 (cadet) | 28 | (1889–1977) |
4 | Carl A. Spaatz | ![]() |
11 Mar 1945 |
|
3 | 1914 (USMA) | 31 | (1891–1974) |
5 | Hoyt S. Vandenberg | ![]() |
1 Oct 1947 |
|
6 | 1923 (USMA) | 24 | (1899–1954) Director of Central Intelligence, 1946–1947. Nephew of U.S. Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg; son married daughter of Air Force four-star general Leon W. Johnson. |
6 | Muir S. Fairchild | ![]() |
27 May 1948 |
|
2 | 1918 (cadet) | 30 | (1894–1950) Died in office. |
7 | Nathan F. Twining | ![]() |
10 Oct 1950 |
|
10 | 1918 (USMA) | 32 | (1897–1982) Brother of Marine Corps four-star general Merrill B. Twining. |
8 | John K. Cannon | ![]() |
29 Oct 1951 |
|
3 | 1917 (direct) | 34 | (1892–1955) |
9 | Benjamin W. Chidlaw | ![]() |
29 Oct 1951 |
|
4 | 1922 (USMA) | 29 | (1900–1977) |
10 | Curtis E. LeMay | ![]() |
29 Oct 1951 |
|
14 | 1929 (cadet) | 22 | (1906–1990) American Independent Party nominee for U.S. Vice president, 1968. |
11 | Lauris Norstad | 5 Jul 1952 |
|
11 | 1930 (USMA) | 22 | (1907–1988) | |
12 | Otto P. Weyland | ![]() |
5 Jul 1952 |
|
7 | 1923 (Texas A&M) | 29 | (1902–1979) |
13 | Thomas D. White | ![]() |
30 Jun 1953 |
|
8 | 1920 (USMA) | 33 | (1902–1965) |
14 | Edwin W. Rawlings | ![]() |
19 Feb 1954 |
|
5 | 1930 (cadet) | 24 | (1904–1997) |
15 | Earle E. Partridge | ![]() |
19 Feb 1954 |
|
5 | 1924 (USMA) | 30 | (1900–1990) |
16 | Orval R. Cook | ![]() |
1 Apr 1954 |
|
2 | 1922 (USMA) | 32 | (1898–1980) |
17 | Laurence S. Kuter | ![]() |
29 May 1955 |
|
7 | 1927 (USMA) | 28 | (1905–1979)[9] U.S. Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization, 1946–1948. |
18 | Thomas S. Power | ![]() |
30 Jun 1957 |
|
7 | 1929 (cadet) | 28 | (1905–1970) |
19 | Frank F. Everest | ![]() |
1 Jul 1957 |
|
4 | 1928 (USMA) | 29 | (1904–1983) |
20 | Leon W. Johnson | ![]() |
31 Aug 1957 |
|
8 | 1926 (USMA) | 31 | (1904–1997)[10] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1943. Daughter married son of Air Force four-star general Hoyt S. Vandenberg. |
21 | Charles P. Cabell | ![]() |
11 Jul 1958[11] |
|
4 | 1925 (USMA) | 33 | (1903–1971) Distant cousin of Navy four-star admiral Richard H. Jackson. |
22 | Samuel E. Anderson | ![]() |
10 Mar 1959 |
|
4 | 1928 (USMA) | 31 | (1906–1982) |
23 | Emmett O'Donnell Jr. | ![]() |
31 Jul 1959 |
|
4 | 1928 (USMA) | 31 | (1906–1971) |
24 | Frederic H. Smith Jr. | ![]() |
1 Aug 1959 |
|
3 | 1929 (USMA) | 30 | (1908–1980) Son-in-law of Navy five-star admiral Ernest J. King. |
25 | Truman H. Landon | ![]() |
28 Jun 1961 |
|
2 | 1928 (USMA) | 33 | (1905–1986) |
26 | William F. McKee | 29 Jun 1961 |
|
3 | 1929 (USMA) | 32 | (1906–1987) Assistant Administrator for Management and Development, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1964–1965; Administrator, Federal Aviation Agency, 1965–1968. | |
27 | Walter C. Sweeney Jr. | ![]() |
30 Jun 1961 |
|
4 | 1930 (USMA) | 31 | (1909–1965) |
28 | Bernard A. Schriever | ![]() |
1 Jul 1961 |
|
5 | 1931 (Texas A&M) | 30 | (1910–2005) |
29 | John K. Gerhart | ![]() |
29 Jun 1962 |
|
3 | 1929 (cadet) | 33 | (1907–1981) |
30 | Dean C. Strother | ![]() |
30 Jun 1962 |
|
4 | 1931 (USMA) | 31 | (1908–2000) |
31 | Mark E. Bradley Jr. | ![]() |
1 Jul 1962 |
|
3 | 1930 (USMA) | 32 | (1907–1999) |
32 | John P. McConnell | ![]() |
1 Oct 1962 |
|
7 | 1932 (USMA) | 30 | (1908–1986) |
33 | Robert M. Lee | ![]() |
4 Jun 1963 |
|
3 | 1931 (USMA) | 32 | (1909–2003) |
34 | Jacob E. Smart | ![]() |
5 Jun 1963 |
|
3 | 1931 (USMA) | 32 | (1909–2006) Assistant Administrator for Policy/DoD and Interagency Affairs, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1967–1973. |
35 | Joe W. Kelly | ![]() |
6 Jun 1963 |
|
1 | 1932 (USMA) | 31 | (1910–1979) |
36 | Gabriel P. Disosway | ![]() |
1 Aug 1963 |
|
5 | 1933 (USMA) | 30 | (1910–2001) |
37 | Hunter Harris Jr. | ![]() |
18 Jul 1964 |
|
3 | 1932 (USMA) | 32 | (1909–1987) |
38 | Howell M. Estes II | ![]() |
19 Jul 1964 |
|
5 | 1936 (USMA) | 28 | (1914–2007) Father of Air Force four-star general Howell M. Estes III. |
39 | John D. Ryan | ![]() |
1 Dec 1964 |
|
9 | 1938 (USMA) | 26 | (1915–1983) Father of Air Force four-star general Michael E. Ryan. |
40 | William H. Blanchard | ![]() |
19 Feb 1965 |
|
1 | 1938 (USMA) | 27 | (1916–1966) Died in office. |
41 | Kenneth B. Hobson | ![]() |
31 Jul 1965 |
|
2 | 1932 (USMA) | 33 | (1908–1979) |
42 | Bruce K. Holloway | ![]() |
1 Aug 1965 |
|
7 | 1937 (USMA) | 28 | (1912–1999) |
43 | William S. Stone | ![]() |
28 Jul 1966 |
|
2 | 1934 (USMA) | 32 | (1910–1968) Died in office. Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1959–1962. |
44 | Raymond J. Reeves | ![]() |
29 Jul 1966 |
|
3 | 1934 (USMA) | 32 | (1909–1998) |
45 | James Ferguson | ![]() |
30 Jul 1966 |
|
4 | 1937 (cadet) | 29 | (1913–2000) |
46 | David A. Burchinal | ![]() |
31 Jul 1966 |
|
7 | 1940 (cadet) | 26 | (1915–1990) |
47 | Maurice A. Preston | ![]() |
1 Aug 1966 |
|
2 | 1937 (USMA) | 29 | (1912–1983) |
48 | Joseph J. Nazzaro | ![]() |
1 Feb 1967 |
|
4 | 1936 (USMA) | 31 | (1913–1990) |
49 | Thomas P. Gerrity | ![]() |
1 Aug 1967 |
|
1 | 1940 (cadet) | 27 | (1913–1968) Died in office. |
50 | William W. Momyer | ![]() |
13 Dec 1967 |
|
6 | 1939 (cadet) | 28 | (1916–2012) |
51 | Jack G. Merrell | ![]() |
29 Mar 1968 |
|
4 | 1939 (USMA) | 29 | (1915–1993) |
52 | Horace M. Wade | ![]() |
31 Jul 1968 |
|
5 | 1938 (cadet) | 30 | (1916–2001) |
53 | George S. Brown | 1 Aug 1968 |
|
10 | 1941 (USMA) | 27 | (1918–1978) | |
54 | Joseph R. Holzapple | ![]() |
1 Feb 1969 |
|
2 | 1941 (cadet) | 28 | (1914–1973) |
55 | Seth J. McKee | ![]() |
30 Jul 1969 |
|
4 | 1939 (cadet) | 30 | (1916–2016) |
56 | John C. Meyer | ![]() |
31 Jul 1969 |
|
5 | 1940 (cadet) | 29 | (1919–1975) |
57 | Jack J. Catton | ![]() |
1 Aug 1969 |
|
5 | 1941 (cadet) | 28 | (1920–1990) |
58 | Lucius D. Clay Jr. | ![]() |
1 Sep 1970 |
|
5 | 1942 (USMA) | 28 | (1919–1994) Son of Army four-star general Lucius D. Clay; grandson of U.S. Senator Alexander S. Clay. |
59 | Theodore R. Milton | ![]() |
31 Jul 1971 |
|
3 | 1940 (USMA) | 31 | (1915–2010) |
60 | John D. Lavelle | ![]() |
1 Aug 1971 |
|
1 | 1940 (cadet) | 31 | (1916–1979)[12] Relieved, 1972. |
61 | David C. Jones | ![]() |
1 Sep 1971 |
|
11 | 1943 (cadet) | 28 | (1921–2013) |
62 | John W. Vogt Jr. | ![]() |
7 Apr 1972 |
|
3 | 1942 (cadet) | 30 | (1920–2010) |
63 | Russell E. Dougherty | ![]() |
1 May 1972 |
|
5 | 1943 (cadet) | 29 | (1920–2007) Father-in-law of Air Force four-star general Joseph W. Ralston. |
* | George B. Simler | ![]() |
16 Aug 1972 |
|
0 | 1942 (cadet) | 30 | (1921–1972)[14] |
64 | Paul K. Carlton | ![]() |
9 Oct 1972 |
|
5 | 1942 (cadet) | 30 | (1921–2009) |
65 | George J. Eade | ![]() |
18 Apr 1973 |
|
2 | 1942 (cadet) | 31 | (1921–2018) |
66 | Samuel C. Phillips | ![]() |
1 Aug 1973 |
|
2 | 1942 (ROTC) | 31 | (1921–1990) Director, National Security Agency, 1972–1973. |
67 | Richard H. Ellis | ![]() |
30 Sep 1973 |
|
8 | 1942 (cadet) | 31 | (1919–1989) U.S. Commissioner for the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Standing Consultative Commission, 1982–1989. |
68 | Robert J. Dixon | ![]() |
1 Oct 1973 |
|
5 | 1942 (RCAF) | 31 | (1920–2003)[15] |
69 | Timothy F. O'Keefe | ![]() |
8 Oct 1973 |
|
1 | 1940 (cadet) | 33 | (1919–1984) |
70 | Louis L. Wilson Jr. | ![]() |
1 Jul 1974 |
|
3 | 1943 (USMA) | 31 | (1919–2010) |
71 | Louis T. Seith | ![]() |
1 Aug 1974 |
|
3 | 1943 (USMA) | 31 | (1921–2007) |
72 | William V. McBride | ![]() |
1 Sep 1974 |
|
4 | 1942 (cadet) | 32 | (1922–2022) |
73 | William J. Evans | ![]() |
30 Aug 1975 |
|
3 | 1946 (USMA) | 29 | (1924–2000) |
74 | F. Michael Rogers | ![]() |
1 Sep 1975 |
|
3 | 1943 (cadet) | 32 | (1921–2014) |
75 | Daniel James Jr. | ![]() |
1 Sep 1975 |
|
3 | 1943 (cadet) | 32 | (1920–1978) First African-American to achieve four-star rank in any service. |
76 | Robert E. Huyser | ![]() |
1 Sep 1975 |
|
6 | 1944 (cadet) | 31 | (1924–1997) U.S. Special Envoy to Iran, 1979. |
77 | John W. Roberts | ![]() |
29 Mar 1977 |
|
2 | 1944 (cadet) | 33 | (1921–1999) |
78 | William G. Moore Jr. | ![]() |
1 Apr 1977 |
|
2 | 1941 (cadet) | 36 | (1920–2012) |
79 | Lew Allen Jr. | ![]() |
31 Jul 1977 |
|
5 | 1946 (USMA) | 31 | (1925–2010) Director, National Security Agency, 1973–1977; Director, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1982–1990. |
80 | James R. Allen | ![]() |
1 Aug 1977 |
|
6 | 1948 (USMA) | 29 | (1925–1992) Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1974–1977. |
81 | James E. Hill | ![]() |
21 Dec 1977 |
|
2 | 1943 (cadet) | 34 | (1921–1999) |
82 | Bryce Poe II | ![]() |
2 Feb 1978 |
|
3 | 1946 (USMA) | 32 | (1924–2000) |
83 | Alton D. Slay | ![]() |
1 Apr 1978 |
|
3 | 1944 (cadet) | 34 | (1924–2015) |
84 | Wilbur L. Creech | ![]() |
1 May 1978 |
|
6 | 1949 (cadet) | 29 | (1927–2003) |
85 | James A. Hill | ![]() |
10 Jul 1978 |
|
2 | 1944 (cadet) | 34 | (1923–2010) |
86 | John W. Pauly | ![]() |
1 Aug 1978 |
|
2 | 1945 (USMA) | 33 | (1923–2013) |
87 | Bennie L. Davis | ![]() |
1 Apr 1979 |
|
6 | 1950 (USMA) | 29 | (1928–2012) |
88 | William Y. Smith | 1 Jul 1979 |
|
4 | 1948 (USMA) | 31 | (1925–2016) | |
89 | Robert C. Mathis | ![]() |
1 Mar 1980 |
|
2 | 1948 (USMA) | 32 | (1927–2016) |
90 | Richard L. Lawson | ![]() |
1 Jul 1980 |
|
6 | 1951 (ARNG) | 29 | (1929–2020)[16] |
91 | Charles A. Gabriel | ![]() |
1 Aug 1980 |
|
6 | 1950 (USMA) | 30 | (1928–2003) |
92 | Robert T. Marsh | ![]() |
1 Feb 1981 |
|
3 | 1949 (USMA) | 32 | (1925–2017) |
93 | Thomas M. Ryan Jr. | ![]() |
31 Jul 1981 |
|
4 | 1950 (cadet) | 31 | (born 1928) |
94 | James P. Mullins | 1 Aug 1981 |
|
3 | 1949 (cadet) | 32 | (born 1928) | |
95 | James V. Hartinger | ![]() |
1 Oct 1981 |
|
3 | 1949 (USMA) | 32 | (1925–2000) |
96 | Jerome F. O'Malley | ![]() |
1 Jun 1982 |
|
3 | 1953 (USMA) | 29 | (1932–1985) Died in office. |
97 | Billy M. Minter | ![]() |
1 Jul 1982 |
|
2 | 1949 (cadet) | 33 | (1926–2005) |
98 | Andrew P. Iosue | 1 Jul 1983 |
|
3 | 1951 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1927) | |
99 | James E. Dalton | ![]() |
1 Aug 1983 |
|
2 | 1954 (USMA) | 29 | (born 1930) |
100 | Lawrence A. Skantze | ![]() |
6 Oct 1983 |
|
4 | 1952 (USNA) | 31 | (1928–2018) |
101 | Larry D. Welch | ![]() |
1 Aug 1984 |
|
6 | 1953 (cadet) | 31 | (born 1934) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 1990–2003, 2006–2009. |
102 | Robert T. Herres | ![]() |
1 Aug 1984 |
|
6 | 1954 (USNA) | 30 | (1932–2008) |
103 | Robert W. Bazley | 1 Nov 1984 |
|
2 | 1945 (cadet) | 29 | (1925–2012) | |
104 | Charles L. Donnelly Jr. | ![]() |
1 Nov 1984 |
|
3 | 1952 (cadet) | 32 | (1929–1994) |
105 | Earl T. O'Loughlin | ![]() |
1 Nov 1984 |
|
3 | 1952 (cadet) | 32 | (1930–2023) |
* | James H. Doolittle | ![]() |
4 Apr 1985 |
|
0 | 1918 (cadet) | 67 | (1896–1993)[17] Awarded Medal of Honor, 1942; Presidential Medal of Freedom, 1989. First Air Force reservist to attain rank of general. |
* | Ira C. Eaker | ![]() |
26 Apr 1985 |
|
0 | 1917 (direct) | 68 | (1896–1987)[18] Awarded Congressional Gold Medal, 1978. |
106 | Robert D. Russ | ![]() |
22 May 1985 |
|
6 | 1955 (AFROTC) | 30 | (1933–1997) |
107 | John T. Chain Jr. | ![]() |
1 Jul 1985 |
|
6 | 1956 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1934–2021) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1984–1985. |
108 | John L. Piotrowski | ![]() |
1 Aug 1985 |
|
5 | 1954 (cadet) | 31 | (born 1934) |
109 | Duane H. Cassidy | ![]() |
8 Nov 1985 |
|
4 | 1954 (cadet) | 31 | (1933–2016) |
110 | Robert H. Reed | 1 Jul 1986 |
|
2 | 1953 (cadet) | 33 | (1929–2017) | |
111 | Thomas C. Richards | ![]() |
1 Dec 1986 |
|
3 | 1956 (VPI) | 30 | (1930–2020) Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, 1992–1993. |
112 | Jack I. Gregory | ![]() |
1 Jan 1987 |
|
1 | 1953 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1931) |
113 | Monroe W. Hatch Jr. | ![]() |
29 Jan 1987 |
|
3 | 1951 (USNA) | 36 | (born 1933) |
114 | William L. Kirk | ![]() |
1 May 1987 |
|
2 | 1954 (cadet) | 33 | (1932–2017) |
115 | Bernard P. Randolph | ![]() |
1 Aug 1987 |
|
3 | 1956 (cadet) | 31 | (1933–2021) |
116 | Alfred G. Hansen | ![]() |
1 Aug 1987 |
|
2 | 1955 (cadet) | 32 | (born 1933) |
117 | John A. Shaud | ![]() |
1 Jul 1988 |
|
3 | 1956 (USMA) | 32 | (born 1933) |
118 | Merrill A. McPeak | 1 Aug 1988 |
|
6 | 1957 (AFROTC) | 31 | (born 1936) Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission, 2010–2018. | |
119 | Michael J. Dugan | ![]() |
1 May 1989 |
|
2 | 1958 (USMA) | 31 | (born 1937) Relieved as chief of staff, 1990. |
120 | James P. McCarthy | ![]() |
1 Oct 1989 |
|
3 | 1957 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1935) |
121 | Hansford T. Johnson | ![]() |
1 Oct 1989 |
|
3 | 1959 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1936) U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Installations and Environment, 2002–2005. |
122 | Charles C. McDonald | ![]() |
1 Nov 1989 |
|
3 | 1956 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1933–2017) |
123 | Donald J. Kutyna | ![]() |
1 Apr 1990 |
|
2 | 1957 (USMA) | 33 | (born 1933) |
124 | Ronald W. Yates | ![]() |
1 Apr 1990 |
|
5 | 1960 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1938) |
125 | John M. Loh | ![]() |
1 Jun 1990 |
|
5 | 1960 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1938) |
126 | Robert C. Oaks | ![]() |
1 Jul 1990 |
|
4 | 1959 (USAFA) | 31 | (born 1936) |
127 | George L. Butler | ![]() |
25 Jan 1991 |
|
3 | 1961 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1939) |
128 | Jimmie V. Adams | ![]() |
13 Feb 1991 |
|
2 | 1958 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1936) |
129 | Michael P. C. Carns | ![]() |
16 May 1991 |
|
3 | 1959 (USAFA) | 32 | (1937–2023)[20] |
130 | James B. Davis | 24 Jul 1991 |
|
2 | 1958 (USNA) | 33 | (born 1935) | |
131 | Chuck A. Horner | ![]() |
1 Jul 1992 |
|
2 | 1958 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1936) |
132 | Ronald R. Fogleman | ![]() |
1 Sep 1992 |
|
5 | 1963 (USAFA) | 29 | (born 1942) |
133 | Charles G. Boyd | ![]() |
1 Dec 1992 |
|
3 | 1960 (cadet) | 32 | (1938–2022) |
134 | Henry Viccellio Jr. | ![]() |
1 Dec 1992 |
|
5 | 1963 (USAFA) | 29 | (born 1940) |
135 | Robert L. Rutherford | ![]() |
1 Feb 1993 |
|
3 | 1961 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1938–2013) |
136 | Thomas S. Moorman Jr. | ![]() |
1 Aug 1994 |
|
3 | 1962 (AFROTC) | 32 | (1940–2020) |
137 | James L. Jamerson | ![]() |
1 Sep 1994 |
|
4 | 1963 (USAFA) | 31 | (born 1941) |
138 | Joseph W. Ashy | ![]() |
13 Sep 1994 |
|
2 | 1962 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (born 1940) |
139 | John G. Lorber | ![]() |
12 Oct 1994 |
|
3 | 1964 (USAFA) | 30 | (1941–2021) |
140 | Billy J. Boles | 1 Jul 1995 |
|
2 | 1962 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1938–2021) | |
141 | Joseph W. Ralston | ![]() |
1 Jul 1995 |
|
8 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 30 | (born 1943) U.S. Special Envoy for Countering the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), 2006–present. Son-in-law of Air Force four-star general Russell E. Dougherty. |
142 | Richard E. Hawley | ![]() |
1 Aug 1995 |
|
4 | 1964 (USAFA) | 31 | (born 1942) |
143 | Eugene E. Habiger | ![]() |
1 Mar 1996 |
|
2 | 1963 (OTS) | 33 | (1939–2022) Director of Security and Emergency Operations, U.S. Department of Energy, 1999–2001. |
144 | Michael E. Ryan | ![]() |
4 Apr 1996 |
|
5 | 1965 (USAFA) | 31 | (born 1941) Son of Air Force four-star general John D. Ryan. |
145 | Walter Kross | ![]() |
1 Aug 1996 |
|
2 | 1964 (OTS) | 32 | (born 1942) |
146 | Howell M. Estes III | ![]() |
1 Oct 1996 |
|
2 | 1965 (USAFA) | 31 | (1941–2024) Son of Air Force four-star general Howell M. Estes Jr. |
147 | Lloyd W. Newton | ![]() |
1 Apr 1997 |
|
3 | 1966 (AFROTC) | 31 | (born 1942) |
148 | George T. Babbitt Jr. | ![]() |
1 Jun 1997 |
|
3 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1942) Director, Defense Logistics Agency, 1996–1997. |
149 | Ralph E. Eberhart | ![]() |
1 Aug 1997 |
|
7 | 1968 (USAFA) | 29 | (born 1946) |
150 | Richard B. Myers | ![]() |
1 Sep 1997 |
|
8 | 1965 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1942) President, Kansas State University, 2016–2022. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2005. |
151 | John A. Gordon | ![]() |
31 Oct 1997 |
|
3 | 1968 (AFROTC) | 29 | (1946–2020) U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, 1993–1994; U.S. Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, 2000–2002; Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism, 2002–2003; Homeland Security Advisor, 2003–2004. |
152 | John P. Jumper | ![]() |
17 Nov 1997 |
|
8 | 1966 (VMI) | 31 | (born 1945) |
153 | Charles T. Robertson Jr. | ![]() |
1 Sep 1998 |
|
3 | 1968 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1946) |
154 | Patrick K. Gamble | ![]() |
1 Oct 1998 |
|
3 | 1967 (Texas A&M) | 31 | (born 1945) President, University of Alaska System, 2010–2015.[21] |
* | Benjamin O. Davis Jr. | ![]() |
9 Dec 1998 |
|
0 | 1936 (USMA) | 62 | (1912–2002)[22] Director of Aviation Security, 1970–1971; U.S. Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Safety and Consumer Affairs, 1971–1975. |
155 | Lester L. Lyles | ![]() |
1 Jul 1999 |
|
4 | 1968 (AFROTC) | 31 | (born 1946) Director, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, 1996–1999. |
156 | Gregory S. Martin | ![]() |
1 Jun 2000 |
|
5 | 1970 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1948)[23] |
157 | John W. Handy | ![]() |
1 Jul 2000 |
|
5 | 1967 (OTS) | 33 | (born 1944) |
158 | Hal M. Hornburg | ![]() |
1 Aug 2000 |
|
4 | 1968 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (born 1945) |
159 | Charles R. Holland | ![]() |
1 Dec 2000 |
|
3 | 1968 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1946) |
160 | William J. Begert | ![]() |
1 May 2001 |
|
3 | 1968 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1946) |
161 | Robert H. Foglesong | ![]() |
5 Nov 2001 |
|
4 | 1972 (AFROTC) | 29 | (born 1945) President, Mississippi State University, 2006–2008. |
162 | Donald G. Cook | ![]() |
17 Dec 2001 |
|
4 | 1969 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1946) |
163 | Lance W. Lord | ![]() |
19 Apr 2002 |
|
4 | 1968 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1946) |
164 | Charles F. Wald | ![]() |
1 Jan 2003 |
|
4 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1948) |
165 | T. Michael Moseley | ![]() |
1 Oct 2003 |
|
5 | 1971 (Texas A&M) | 32 | (born 1949) Resigned, 2008. |
166 | Paul V. Hester | ![]() |
1 Aug 2004 |
|
3 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1947) |
167 | Michael V. Hayden | ![]() |
21 Apr 2005 |
|
4 | 1969 (AFROTC) | 36 | (born 1945)[25] Director, National Security Agency, 1999–2005. |
168 | Ronald E. Keys | ![]() |
27 May 2005 |
|
2 | 1967 (AFROTC) | 38 | (born 1945) |
169 | William R. Looney III | ![]() |
1 Aug 2005 |
|
3 | 1972 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1949) |
170 | Bruce A. Carlson | ![]() |
1 Sep 2005 |
|
3 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1949) Director, National Reconnaissance Office, 2009–2012. |
171 | Norton A. Schwartz | ![]() |
1 Oct 2005 |
|
7 | 1973 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1951) President, Institute for Defense Analyses, 2020–present. |
172 | John D. W. Corley | ![]() |
1 Nov 2005 |
|
4 | 1973 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1951) |
173 | Lance L. Smith | ![]() |
7 Nov 2005 |
|
2 | 1970 (OTS) | 35 | (born 1946) |
174 | Duncan J. McNabb | ![]() |
1 Dec 2005 |
|
6 | 1974 (USAFA) | 31 | (born 1952) |
175 | William T. Hobbins | ![]() |
1 Feb 2006 |
|
1 | 1969 (OTS) | 37 | (born 1946) |
176 | Kevin P. Chilton | ![]() |
26 Jun 2006 |
|
5 | 1976 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1954) First astronaut to attain rank of general. |
177 | Victor E. Renuart Jr. | ![]() |
23 Mar 2007 |
|
3 | 1972 (OTS) | 35 | (born 1949) |
178 | Arthur J. Lichte | ![]() |
7 Sep 2007 |
|
2 | 1971 (AFROTC) | 36 | (born 1949)[26] |
179 | C. Robert Kehler | ![]() |
12 Oct 2007 |
|
6 | 1975 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1952) |
180 | Carrol H. Chandler | ![]() |
30 Nov 2007 |
|
4 | 1974 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1952) |
181 | Roger A. Brady | ![]() |
9 Jan 2008 |
|
2 | 1968 (AFROTC) | 40 | (born 1946) |
182 | Stephen R. Lorenz | ![]() |
2 Jul 2008 |
|
2 | 1973 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1951) |
183 | William M. Fraser III | ![]() |
9 Oct 2008 |
|
6 | 1974 (Texas A&M) | 34 | (born 1952)[27] |
184 | Craig R. McKinley | ![]() |
17 Nov 2008 |
|
4 | 1974 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1952) First National Guard officer to achieve the rank of general. |
185 | Donald J. Hoffman | ![]() |
21 Nov 2008 |
|
4 | 1974 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1952) |
186 | Douglas M. Fraser | ![]() |
25 Jun 2009 |
|
3 | 1975 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1953) |
187 | Gary L. North | 19 Aug 2009 |
|
3 | 1976 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1954) | |
188 | Raymond E. Johns Jr. | ![]() |
20 Nov 2009 |
|
3 | 1977 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1954) |
189 | Edward A. Rice Jr. | ![]() |
17 Nov 2010 |
|
3 | 1978 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1956) |
190 | Mark A. Welsh III | ![]() |
13 Dec 2010 |
|
6 | 1976 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1953) Dean, Bush School of Government and Public Service, 2016–2023; President, Texas A&M University, 2023–present. |
191 | William L. Shelton | ![]() |
5 Jan 2011 |
|
3 | 1976 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1954) |
192 | Philip M. Breedlove | ![]() |
14 Jan 2011 |
|
5 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1955) |
193 | Gilmary M. Hostage III | ![]() |
13 Sep 2011 |
|
3 | 1977 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born 1955) |
194 | Janet C. Wolfenbarger | ![]() |
5 Jun 2012 |
|
3 | 1980 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1958) First woman to achieve the rank of general in the Air Force. |
195 | Larry O. Spencer | ![]() |
27 Jul 2012 |
|
3 | 1980 (OTS) | 32 | (born 1954) Served nine years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1980. |
196 | Herbert J. Carlisle | ![]() |
2 Aug 2012 |
|
5 | 1978 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1957) |
197 | Paul J. Selva | ![]() |
29 Nov 2012 |
|
7 | 1980 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1958) |
198 | Frank Gorenc | ![]() |
2 Aug 2013 |
|
3 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1957) |
199 | Robin Rand | 10 Oct 2013 |
|
5 | 1979 (USAFA) | 34 | (born 1958) | |
200 | Darren W. McDew | ![]() |
5 May 2014 |
|
4 | 1982 (VMI) | 32 | (born 1960) |
201 | John E. Hyten | ![]() |
15 Aug 2014 |
|
7 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1959) |
202 | Lori J. Robinson | ![]() |
16 Oct 2014 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1959) First woman in any service to lead a unified combatant command. |
203 | Ellen M. Pawlikowski | 8 Jun 2015 |
|
3 | 1978 (AFROTC) | 37 | (born 1956) | |
204 | Carlton D. Everhart II | ![]() |
11 Aug 2015 |
|
3 | 1983 (Virginia Tech) | 32 | (born 1961) |
205 | David L. Goldfein | ![]() |
17 Aug 2015 |
|
5 | 1983 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1959) |
206 | Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy | ![]() |
12 Jul 2016 |
|
4 | 1986 (USAFA) | 30 | (born 1964) |
207 | Stephen W. Wilson | ![]() |
22 Jul 2016 |
|
4 | 1981 (Texas A&M) | 35 | (born 1959/1960) |
208 | Joseph L. Lengyel | ![]() |
3 Aug 2016 |
|
4 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 35 | (born 1959) |
209 | Tod D. Wolters | ![]() |
11 Aug 2016 |
|
6 | 1982 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1961) |
210 | John W. Raymond | ![]() |
25 Oct 2016 |
|
3 | 1984 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born 1962)[28] Chief of Space Operations, 2019–2022. |
211 | James M. Holmes | ![]() |
10 Mar 2017 |
|
3 | 1981 (OTS) | 36 | (born 1957) |
212 | Charles Q. Brown Jr. | ![]() |
26 Jul 2018 |
|
6 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1962) |
213 | Timothy M. Ray | ![]() |
21 Aug 2018 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 33 | (born 1963) |
214 | Maryanne Miller | ![]() |
7 Sep 2018 |
|
2 | 1981 (AFROTC) | 37 | (born 1961) First Air Force Reserve officer to achieve the rank of general. |
215 | Jeffrey L. Harrigian | ![]() |
1 May 2019 |
|
3 | 1985 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1962) |
216 | Arnold W. Bunch Jr. | ![]() |
31 May 2019 |
|
3 | 1984 (USAFA) | 35 | (born 1962)[29] |
217 | Kenneth S. Wilsbach | ![]() |
8 Jul 2020 |
|
4 | 1985 (AFROTC) | 35 | (born c. 1963) |
218 | Glen D. VanHerck | ![]() |
20 Aug 2020 |
|
4 | 1987 (AFROTC) | 33 | (born 1962) |
219 | Jacqueline D. Van Ovost | ![]() |
20 Aug 2020 |
|
4 | 1988 (USAFA) | 32 | (born 1965) |
220 | Mark D. Kelly | ![]() |
28 Aug 2020 |
|
4 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born c. 1962) |
221 | David W. Allvin | ![]() |
12 Nov 2020[30] |
|
4 | 1986 (USAFA) | 34 | (born c. 1963) |
222 | Anthony J. Cotton | ![]() |
27 Aug 2021 |
|
3 | 1986 (AFROTC) | 35 | |
223 | Michael A. Minihan | ![]() |
5 Oct 2021 |
|
3 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 32 | (born c. 1967) |
224 | Duke Z. Richardson | ![]() |
13 Jun 2022 |
|
2 | 1989 (OTS) | 33 | (born c. 1964) |
225 | James B. Hecker | ![]() |
27 Jun 2022 |
|
2 | 1989 (USAFA) | 33 | |
226 | Thomas A. Bussiere | ![]() |
7 Dec 2022 |
|
2 | 1985 (Norwich) | 37 | (born c. 1963) |
227 | James C. Slife | ![]() |
19 Dec 2023 |
|
1 | 1989 (AFROTC) | 34 | (born c. 1967) |
228 | Timothy D. Haugh | ![]() |
2 Feb 2024 |
|
0 | 1991 (AFROTC) | 33 | (1969– ) |
229 | Gregory M. Guillot | ![]() |
5 Feb 2024 |
|
0 | 1989 (USAFA) | 35 | |
230 | Kevin B. Schneider | ![]() |
9 Feb 2024 |
|
0 | 1988 (USAFA) | 36 |
History
[edit]Four-star positions
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/kt53g9tzn6b4l7lldp55efn18usyf54.png)
1943–1991
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Defense.gov_News_Photo_981209-D-2987S-043.jpg/195px-Defense.gov_News_Photo_981209-D-2987S-043.jpg)
The modern rank of general was established by the Officer Personnel Act of 1947, which authorized the President to designate certain positions of importance to carry that rank. Officers appointed to such positions bear temporary four-star rank while so serving, and are allowed to retire at that rank if their performance is judged satisfactory.[31] The total number of active-duty four-star generals in the Air Force is limited to a fixed percentage of the number of Air Force general officers serving at all ranks.[32]
Within the Air Force, the chief of staff (CSAF) and vice chief of staff (VCSAF) are four-star generals by statute. Other four-star generals occupy positions of designated importance; historically, these have included the commanders responsible for strategic bombers and nuclear missiles (SAC/STRATCOM); tactical air combat (TAC/ACC); air transport (MAC/TRANSCOM); North American aerospace defense (NORAD); the Air Force formations in Europe and the Pacific; and other training, readiness, and materiel organizations.
The Air Force also competes with the other services for a number of joint four-star positions, such as the chairman (CJCS) and vice chairman (VJCS) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Other joint four-star positions have included unified combatant commanders and certain NATO staff positions.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/4gtxav6bst8ix1y3z31rrc7vfpheoai.png)
1991–present
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/ey9dm111yracssnhu0lfnbhrra4rwpn.png)
See also
[edit]- General (United States)
- List of active duty United States four-star officers
- List of United States Army four-star generals
- List of United States Coast Guard four-star admirals
- List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals
- List of United States Navy four-star admirals
- List of United States Space Force four-star generals
- List of United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps four-star admirals
- List of United States military leaders by rank
- List of Royal Air Force air chief marshals
- List of lieutenant generals in the United States Air Force before 1960
- List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals from 2000 to 2009
- List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals from 2010 to 2019
- List of United States Air Force lieutenant generals since 2020
References
[edit]- ^ Dates of rank are taken, where available, from the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force registers of active and retired commissioned officers, or from the World Almanac and Book of Facts. The date listed is that of the officer's first promotion to general.
- ^ Positions listed are those held by the officer when promoted to general. Dates listed are for the officer's full tenure, which may predate promotion to four-star rank or postdate retirement from active duty.
- ^ a b The number of years of active-duty service at four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Date of rank" column from the last year in the "Position" column. For those presently in their position, values are as of 2020[update]. Time spent between active-duty four-star assignments is not counted, nor is time spent on special duty as an unassigned general of the Army or general of the Air Force.
- ^ Sources of commission are listed in parentheses after the year of commission and include: the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA); the United States Military Academy (USMA); the United States Naval Academy (USNA); Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at a civilian university; Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) at a civilian university; ROTC or AFROTC at a senior military college such as Texas A&M University (Texas A&M), the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), or Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI); Air Force Officer Training School (OTS); Officer Candidate School (OCS); the aviation cadet program (cadet); the Army National Guard (ARNG); the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF); and direct commission (direct).
- ^ a b The number of years in commission before being promoted to four-star rank is approximated by subtracting the year in the "Commission" column from the year in the "Date of rank" column.
- ^ Notes include years of birth and death; awards of the Medal of Honor, Congressional Gold Medal, Presidential Medal of Freedom, or honors of similar significance; major government appointments; university presidencies or equivalents; familial relationships with other four-star officers or significant government officials such as U.S. Presidents, cabinet secretaries, U.S. Senators, or state governors; and unusual career events such as premature relief or death in office.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Served in this position while in the United States Army.
- ^ "Letter on Assignment of General Carl Spaatz as Deputy to the Commanding General, Army Air Forces for Special Organizational Planning". Headquarters, U.S. Air Force (digitized by NARA). 4 December 1945. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Nomination as chairman, Civil Aeronautics Board withdrawn, 1948.
- ^ Retired as general, 31 July 1961; recalled as general, Sep 1961; retired as general, 30 April 1965.
- ^ "Congressional Record" (PDF). 11 July 1958. p. 13456. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Relieved, Apr 1972, and retired as major general.
- ^ Major Wheatley (9 November 1977). "Staff Summary Sheet, 9 November 1977". Headquarters, U.S. Air Force (digitized by NARA). Retrieved 22 January 2023.
- ^ Appointed Commander, Military Airlift Command (COMAC), effective 12 September 1972; died in air crash, 9 Sep 1972; posthumously promoted to general with date of rank 16 August 1972.
- ^ Transferred from Royal Canadian Air Force, 1943.
- ^ Transferred from Army National Guard, 1952.
- ^ Transferred from Signal Corps Reserve, 1920; resigned, 1930; recalled 1940; reverted to inactive reserve, 1946; retired as lieutenant general, Feb 1959; advanced to general on the retired list, 4 April 1985.
- ^ Retired as major general, Aug 1947; advanced to lieutenant general on the retired list, 29 June 1948; advanced to general on the retired list, 26 April 1985.
- ^ "Senate panel opposes increase in fired Air Force chief's pension". The Baltimore Sun. 31 October 1990. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
- ^ Nomination as Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) withdrawn, 1995.
- ^ "2010- 2015 Patrick K Gamble | UA Journey". University of Alaska. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
- ^ Retired as lieutenant general, Feb 1970; advanced to general on the retired list, 9 December 1998.
- ^ Nomination as Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) withdrawn, 2004.
- ^ Hayden continued serving as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency as a civilian for a year after retiring from the Air Force in 2008.
- ^ Retired as general, 1 July 2008; remained Director, Central Intelligence Agency (DCIA) as civilian.
- ^ Retired as general, 1 January 2010; retroactively demoted to major general on the retired list, 1 February 2017.
- ^ First nomination as Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (CDRUSTRANSCOM) withdrawn, 2008.
- ^ Transferred to U.S. Space Force, 20 December 2019.
- ^ First nomination as commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC) returned to the President, 2019.
- ^ Allvin's effective date-of-rank is 12 November 2020, which is four days before he assumed the office of vice chief of staff.
- ^ 10 USC 601, Positions of importance and responsibility: generals and lieutenant generals; admirals and vice admirals
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ 10 USC 525, Distribution of commissioned officers on active duty in general officer and flag officer grades
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Bibliography
[edit]- Air Force Association (May 2006), "USAF Almanac 2006" (PDF), Air Force Magazine, 89 (5), archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2007
- Cole, Ronald H.; Poole, Walter S.; Schnabel, James F.; Watson, Robert J.; Webb, Willard J. (1995), The History of the Unified Command Plan, 1946–1993 (PDF), Washington D.C.: Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2007, retrieved 9 May 2007
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Senior officials in the NATO military structure, from 1949 to 2001 (PDF)
- United States Air Force, Air Force Link – Biographies
- United States Air Force (1979) [1951–1970], Air Force Register, Washington D.C.: Department of the Air Force
- World Almanac and Book of Facts, New York: World Almanac Education Group, Inc., 2006 [1946–1947]