Retired
August 01,1983
Died August 13,2007
Major General Doyle Eugene Larson is the first commander of the Electronic Security Command, a major command with headquarters at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. The command was formed in August 1979 from the U.S. Air Force Security Service and other Air Force assets.
General Larson was born in 1930, in Madelia, Minn.; graduated from Madelia High School in 1948, then attended Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn., until 1951. He received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, in 1962 and a master's degree in political science from Auburn (Ala.) University in 1971. He graduated from the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1959, Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Va., in 1965 and the Air War College, also at Maxwell, in 1971.
General Larson entered the Air Force in March 1951 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Upon completion of basic training he was assigned to the Army Language School, Monterey, Calif., to study the Russian language. After graduation he was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Security Service at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. In October 1952 he entered training as an aviation cadet at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas, and graduated with distinction in May 1953, earning his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant.
In June 1953 he transferred to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as a student for radar interceptor and air warfare training. In November 1953 he was assigned as a radar observer with the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Hamilton Air Force Base, Calif. Beginning in May 1954 he was an aircraft observer at Wold Chamberlin Field, Minn., and in August 1954 at Fairbanks, Alaska, with the 18th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron.
General Larson applied for duty with the U.S. Air Force Security Service and in October 1956 was assigned to March Air Force Base, Calif., to attend the Communications Intelligence Course. He graduated first in his class in May 1957, and then served as the chief of the Analytical Training Branch of the school. In August 1958 he was placed in charge of an advance party in the movement of the intelligence school to Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas.
General Larson's assignments at the school progressed into positions of increasing responsibility. In April 1959, after completing Squadron Officer School, he became chief of the Language Training Division. In September 1961 General Larson attended Hardin-Simmons University under the "Operation Bootstrap" program.
General Larson was assigned in May 1962 as commander of the newly designated 6985th Security Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In February 1965 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College. In July 1965, as commander, he activated the 6949th Security Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and in July 1967, the 6990th Security Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. During the war in Vietnam, the 6990th provided direct support to Air Force combat elements and received the Travis Trophy as the most outstanding cryptologic activity in the Department of Defense. General Larson was credited with 71 combat missions during this period. In August 1970 he entered the Air War College.
In July 1971 General Larson became the senior military representative of the National Security Agency at the Pentagon where, as the principal military spokesman for the director of the agency, he provided support to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the military departments.
He transferred to the Air Staff in July 1972 as assistant for joint matters, assistant chief of staff, intelligence, and in May 1973 became the director, policy and resource management.
In September 1974 General Larson was appointed director for intelligence, Headquarters U.S. Pacific Command at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. He become deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Headquarters Strategic Air Command in January 1977. He assumed command of U.S. Air Force Security Service in January 1979.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters and "V" device. He wears the Aircraft Observer and Missile badges.
He was promoted to major general July 1, 1977, with date of rank May 1, 1974.
(Current as of May 1, 1980)