BRIGADIER GENERAL WALTER H. POORE

Brigadier General Walter H. Poore is vice commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.

General Poore was born in 1932, at Fort Benning, Ga., and graduated from Summerville (S.C.) High School in 1950. He is a 1954 graduate of the University of South Carolina where he earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology. In 1974 he received a master of science degree in counseling and guidance from Troy (Ala.) State University. He is a 1967 graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and a 1974 graduate of the Air War College, both located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

He received his commission through the ROTC program at the University of South Carolina in 1954. The general entered pilot training in January 1955 and graduated from flying school at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., in February 1956. In May 1956, following B-29 training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, General Poore was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. He flew B-47s and B-52s at Barksdale followed by assignments to the 93rd Bombardment Wing, Castle Air Force Base, Calif., in November 1961; the 22nd Bombardment Wing at March Air Force Base, Calif., in July 1963; and the 410th Bombardment Wing at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Mich., in October 1964. After completing Air Command and Staff College in May 1967, he trained in B-66s at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. From December 1967 to December 1968, he served as a B-66 pilot at Tahkli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, flying 133 combat missions.

After returning to the United States, he served as assistant professor of aerospace studies at the University of Iowa until April 1971. He then joined the Squadron Officer School faculty at Maxwell Air Force Base as chief of the Programs Division. From July 1973 to June 1974, he was a student at the Air War College. In July 1974 General Poore joined the Armed Forces Staff College faculty at Norfolk, Va., as deputy director for plans and operations.

General Poore returned to Castle Air Force Base as commander of the 93rd Bombardment Wing's 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron in October 1975 and in January 1977 became the wing's deputy commander for operations. He was assigned as the wing's vice commander in March 1978 and in August 1978 took command of the 319th Bombardment Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. He was named assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in June 1980. He assumed his present duties in August 1981.

The general is a command pilot with 5,300 hours flying time. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with "V" device and four oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was promoted to brigadier general Sept. 8, 1980, with date of rank Sept. 4, 1980.

General Poore's hometown is Charleston, S.C.

(Current as of December 1981)