Brigadier General William E. Lindeman is the vice deputy chief of staff, plans and programs (J-5), for the North American Air Defense Command and deputy chief of staff, plans and programs, U.S. Air Force Aerospace Defense Command, with consolidated headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
General Lindeman was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1930. He attended the University of Cincinnati and received a bachelor of science degree in military studies from the University of Maryland.
While attending the University of Cincinnati, General Lindeman served in the Air National Guard until his entry into active military service as an aviation cadet in 1951. He was commissioned in 1952 as a radar observer, and subsequently attended pilot training at Bryan Air Force Base, Texas, receiving his wings in 1954.
His initial assignment, after combat crew training, was to the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. He moved with the squadron to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
In June 1960 General Lindeman was transferred to the 95th FIS at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as the flight test maintenance officer. He relocated with the 95th FIS to Dover Air Force Base, Del., initially as flight test maintenance officer and later as maintenance control officer. While assigned at Dover, General Lindeman attended the University of Maryland in the Operation Bootstrap program from July 1964 to January 1965. He then was assigned as Air Defense Command operational readiness inspection planning chief, at Ent Air Force Base, Colo. In November 1968, he was transferred to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as chief of quality control for the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance/Fighter Wing.
General Lindeman returned from Southeast Asia in November 1969 and was assigned to NORAD headquarters as chief of the Fighter-Interceptor Branch. In March 1972 he moved to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., to serve as chief of maintenance for the 460th FIS. That same year he was transferred to the 26th Air Division at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., as director of logistics.
General Lindeman was vice commander, 25th Air Division, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., from September 1973 to May 1975, when be became commander, Air Forces Iceland, Keflavic Airport, Iceland. He moved to Headquarters NORAD/ADCOM in July 1977 to be chief of staff. He remained at that post until May 1, 1978, when he assumed his present position.
A command pilot with more than 3,900 total flying hours, General Lindeman has flown the F-4, F-86, F-102, F-106, T-33, T-39, and RF-4 aircraft. He logged 152 combat missions in Southeast Asia, flying the RF-4.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
He was promoted to the grade of brigadier general July 1, 1978, with date of rank June 18, 1978.
(Current as of August 1978)