Brig. Gen. John R. Budner is assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, Aerospace Defense Command, with headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. He assists in providing staff supervision for all aerospace defense operations in North America.
General Budner was born in Bluefield, W.Va., where he graduated from Beaver High School in May 1946. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, from 1946 until 1950, and received his bachelor of science degree from Park College, Parkville, Mo., in 1963. General Budner earned a master's degree from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1972 and graduated from the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., in 1971.
At the outbreak of the Korean War, General Budner left college and entered the aviation cadet training program in November 1950. He received his commission as a second lieutenant and his pilot wings at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in December 1951. After attending instrument and all-weather schools at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., General Budner was assigned in June 1952 to the 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Del. From April 1954 until September 1955, he served with the 319th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Suwon Air Base, South Korea, and Johnson Air Base, Japan.
Upon his return to the United States, General Budner was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., for a tour of duty with the 29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and the 29th Air Division until the summer of 1961. After completing the interceptor weapons instructor course at Tyndall Air Force Base, General Budner rejoined the 29th Air Division as a member of the Tactical Evaluation Team at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Mo.
In April 1964 he transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as an adviser to the Vietnamese air force's 520th Fighter Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base. During this assignment General Budner flew 300 combat hours in T-28s and A-IH's. He returned to Tyndall Air Force Base in April 1965 as chief of the 4756th Air Defense Wing's Operations Center.
From November 1966 to August 1970, General Budner was an action officer within the Directorate of Plans at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. While there he was instrumental in the development of the Air Force Mobility and Bare Base programs. Following graduation from the National War College in July 1971, he was assigned to Ent Air Force Base, Colo., and served as vice commander and then commander of the 4600th Air Base Wing, Aerospace Defense Command. In June 1973 he transferred to Fuchu Air Station, Japan, as chief of staff, 5th Air Force.
General Budner was vice commander of the 314th Air Division at Osan Air Base, South Korea, from June 1974 to June 1975. He was then assigned as deputy director for force development within the Directorate of Plans at Headquarters U.S. Air Force. In March 1977 he transferred to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy director for operations, National Military Command Center, also located in Washington, D.C. He was then assigned to command the North American Air Defense Command Combat Operations Center located in Cheyenne Mountain near Colorado Springs, Colo. He assumed his present duties in March 1979.
The general is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal; and from the Republic of Vietnam, Gallantry Cross with bronze star, Air Gallantry Cross with gold wings and Gallantry Cross with palm.
He was promoted to brigadier general July 1, 1977, with date of rank June 21, 1977.
His hometown is Bluefield, W.Va.
(Current as of February 2021)