Major General Joe P. Morgan is the executive director of quality assurance, Headquarters Defense Logistics Agency, Alexandria, Va. He is responsible for the policies and procedures governing acceptance of major weapons systems, equipment and supplies/services for the government and for assuring that contractors furnishing supplies and equipment to the military services meet all specifications and contractual quality requirements.
General Morgan was born in 1931, in Erwin, Tenn. He completed both elementary and secondary education in Erwin, and one year of college at East Tennessee State University before receiving an appointment in 1950 to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. He graduated in June 1954 with a bachelor of science degree and received a commission in the Air Force. General Morgan was awarded a master of science degree from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in September 1965. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1960 and the Air Command and Staff College in 1965, both located at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He graduated in June 1972 from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
In 1956 General Morgan was assigned to the 5th Aviation Depot Squadron, Sidi Slimane Air Base, Morocco. Upon his return from overseas in 1958, he entered the intercontinental ballistic missile program at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., as the re-entry vehicle integrated weapon system training officer in the 51st Aviation Depot Squadron.
His next assignment was in the Directorate of Operational Requirements, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. In 1967 General Morgan was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as commander of the Munitions Maintenance Squadron. He subsequently returned to SAC headquarters as chief of the Missile Systems Branch, Directorate of Astronautical Requirements, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans.
Upon graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1972, General Morgan was assigned as chief of the Missile Systems Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Studies and Analysis, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He became vice commander of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., in July 1974. In November 1975 General Morgan became commander of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing and remained there until April 1978.
Returning to Air Force headquarters, General Morgan was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, as chief of the Missile and Nuclear Programs Division. From May 1979 to May 1980, he served as deputy for strategic forces, Directorate of Operational Requirements, where he was responsible for the research, development, test and evaluation of all strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile programs.
His next assignment was as chief of the Host Nation Management Office at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe. His duties included the acquisition and installation of new command, control and communications systems throughout the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He also served as program manager for construction of a hardened underground command center for the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
In May 1983 General Morgan become director of space systems and command, control, communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, at Air Force headquarters. His responsibilities included Department of Defense activities related to the Space Shuttle as well as research, development and acquisition of communications, meteorological and navigation satellites, and strategic and tactical command, control and communications systems. He assumed his present position in July 1984.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Soldier's Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster.
He was promoted to major general July 1, 1983, with date of rank Aug. 1, 1979.
(Current as of January 1985)