MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM J. PORTER Major General William J. Porter is director of personnel programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Porter was born in 1938, in Lansing, Mich. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1961 and a master of business administration degree in 1969, both from Michigan State University. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1965, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1972, National War College in 1976 and the University of Virginia's Advanced Management Program in 1983. He was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in June 1961, and entered active duty in November 1961. After completing undergraduate navigator training in August 1962, he earned his wings and was assigned as a C-141 and C-124 navigator (flight examiner and instructor) with the 62nd Military Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash. General Porter next was assigned as a forward air control navigator on a UC-123K with the 606th Special Operations Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from October 1969 to November 1970. During the next five years, General Porter was assigned to the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center, Denver, where he served in several positions during the implementation of the Joint Uniform Military Pay System. After completing National War College in August 1976, General Porter served as commander of the 450th Flying Training Squadron, Mather Air Force Base, Calif. He received his initial recruiting assignment as commander of the 3506th Recruiting Group at Mather in June 1978, and in February 1981 became vice commander, U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. General Porter was commander of Officer Training School from May 1982 to August 1983, when he became chief of staff, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph. In 1985 he was assigned as commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service and deputy chief of staff for recruiting, Air Training Command headquarters. The general transferred to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., in August 1987 and served as director of resources, J-8, U.S. Special Operations Command. In July 1989 he became director of personnel plans, Air Force headquarters. He assumed his present position in October 1991. The general is a master navigator with more than 5,600 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal. He was promoted to major general Aug. 1, 1988, with same date of rank. (Current as of October 1991)