MAJOR GENERAL AUGUST W. KISSNER August Walter Kissner was born in New Haven, Conn., in 1906. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy June 9, 1928 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry. That September General Kissner entered primary flying school at Brooks Field, Texas, and graduated from advanced flying school at Kelly Field, Texas, a year later. Assigned at Mitchel Field, N.Y., he served with the Ninth Observation Group until August 1930 when he joined the 99th Observation Squadron there. After serving with the Air Corps Technical School Detachment at Chanute Field, Ill., from June to September 1931, he entered the Technical School and graduated in June 1932. Two months later General Kissner went to Nichols Field in the Philippines for duty with the Second Observation Squadron. In April 1934 he was named adjutant and supply officer of the 66th Service Squadron there, becoming engineering officer of the Fourth Composite Group in July 1935. The following May General Kissner became a flying instructor at the Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas and two years later was named adjutant at the Air Corps Tactical Center; Randolph Field, Texas. Entering the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field; Ala., in June 1939, he graduated two months later and became post adjutant at Kelly Field. Assigned at Air Corps Headquarters In March 1940, General Kissner served with the Mi1itary Personnel Division; Office of the Chief of Air Corps, later becoming chief of the Enlisted Section of that division. In March 1942 he was appointed chief of the Personnel Research and Statistics Division, and that November he was named executive officer to the assistant chief of staff for personnel. Going to the European Theater in May 1943, General Kissner was executive officer of the Fourth Bomb Wing, becoming its chief of staff two months later, and assuming that position with the Third Bomb Wing in September 1943. A year later he was assigned to the Office of the Director of Plans at Headquarters; U.S. Strategic Air Forces in the European Theater. Transferred to the 21st Bomber Command Headquarters on Guam in January 1945, the following month he became its chief of staff. That October General Kissner was assigned to Air Transport Command Headquarters at Gravelly Point, Va., and three months later he assumed command of the Central Atlantic Wing of the Atlantic Division in the Azores. Returning to Air Corps Headquarters in October 1946, he became deputy to the director of plans and operations in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans. In November 1947 he was appointed chief of staff of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with station in Germany. Joining the Strategic Air Command a year later, General Kissner was chief of staff at SAC Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., becoming special assistant to the commanding general of SAC in September 1952. Going on temporary duty as chief of the Joint U.S. Military Group in Spain in March 1953, that November he was assigned as chief of the Joint U.S. Military Group in Spain and chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Spain. General Kissner is single. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star and Air Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with palm, Portuguese Order of Merit, and Russian Order of Kutazov. He is rated a command pilot, combat and technical observer. EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION He was promoted to first lieutenant (permanent) Oct. 1, 1934; to captain (temporary) March 22, 1935; to captain (permanent) June 9, 1938; to major temporary) Jan. 31, 1941; to lieutenant colonel (temporary) Jan. 5, 1942; to colonel (temporary) March 1, 1942; to brigadier general (temporary) Feb. 28, 1944; to major (permanent) June 9, 1945; to colonel (permanent) April 2, 1948; to major general (temporary) Jan. 12, 1950; to brigadier general (permanent) Jan. 27, 1950. (Current as of June 1956)