BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT H. GAUGHAN

Brigadier General Robert H. Gaughan is vice commander of the Third Air Division (Strategic Air Command) with headquarters at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

General Gaughan was born in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1919. He received a bachelor of science degree from John B. Stetson University, Fla., 1941, and a master's degree in international affairs from The George Washington University, 1964. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, 1964.

His military career began as an aviation cadet in May 1941, and he graduated in January 1942 with a commission as second lieutenant and his pilot wings. His next assignments were as flight instructor and then B-18 pilot in the Panama Canal Zone. In June 1942 he was transferred to the 44th Bombardment Squadron in Guatemala and flew B-17s and B-24s on antisubmarine patrol.

General Gaughan was assigned to the 25th Bombardment Squadron at Pratt Army Air Field, Kan., in July 1943, and went with the squadron in April 1944 to Chakulia, India, and later flew combat missions in B-29s out of China against Japan. He returned to the United States and served as a flight instructor and later was a staff officer at the Air Proving Ground Command, Eglin Field, Fla., From January 1948 to May 1951, he was on inactive duty in Reserve status.

General Gaughan was recalled to active duty during the Korean War in May 1951 and served as director of training in the 32d Air Division at Stewart Air Force Base, N.Y. He attended B-29 combat crew training and in January 1953 went to Okinawa and served a combat tour of duty as a pilot with the 19th Bombardment Wing.

From July 1953 to August 1957, he was assigned to the 509th Bombardment Wing at Roswell Air Force Base, N.M., where he served as squadron commander, squadron operations officer, and combat aircrew commander. He next was assigned to Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, March Air Force Base, Calif., as plans and programs officer and became deputy director of plans.

He entered the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in August 1963, and after graduation attended B-52 combat aircrew training. In November 1964 General Gaughan was assigned to the 91st Bombardment Wing, Glasgow Air Force Base, Mont., as assistant deputy commander for operations and in March 1965 was named deputy commander for maintenance.

Between September 1966 and March 1967, General Gaughan served as deputy commander for maintenance, 4133d Bombardment Wing (Provisional), at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. He next was assigned as vice commander, 92d Strategic Aerospace Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and in January 1968 became commander. Between April to September 1968 and March to August 1969, he served as commander during two deployments of the 92d Wing and flew on 92 combat missions against the Vietnamese communists as an airborne commander.

In August 1969 General Gaughan was assigned as deputy chief of staff for operations, Fifteenth Air Force, at March Air Force Base, Calif. He was transferred in March 1970 to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., as commander of the 4th Strategic Aerospace Division. In June 1971 he assumed command of the 14th Strategic Aerospace Division with headquarters at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.

General Gaughan was appointed as assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., in September 1971. He became vice commander of the Eighth Air Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in October 1973, and remained in that position when the command was redesignated Third Air Division in January 1975.

His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order, Second Class. He is a command pilot with 10,000 flying hours, including over 500 Combat hours on 150 missions, and is currently qualified in B-52 and KC-135 aircraft.

He was promoted to the grade of brigadier general effective May 1, 1970, with date of rank April 25, 1970.

(Current as of March 15, 1975)