LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOHN P. FLYNN

Lieutenant General John P. Flynn is the U.S. Air Force inspector general, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. He assists the Air Force chief of staff in maintaining and improving the high level of readiness and fighting capacity of the U.S. Air Force.

General Flynn was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and a master's degree from The George Washington University. He is also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.

He is a command pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours. He flew F-51s in World War II, and F-80s in Korea. He also served in various responsible positions with fighter units in the United States, Japan and Europe.

In August 1967 General Flynn joined the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing in Thailand, flying F-105s. While vice commander, he was shot down over Hanoi and was a prisoner of war for more than five years. After his release, he was assigned as vice commandant, Air War College in August 1973. In February 1974 he became the commandant, Air Command and Staff College, and in August 1974 the commander, Air Force Military Training Center. He assumed his present position in September 1976.

General Flynn's awards and decorations include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with six oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, and the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster.

He was promoted to the grade of lieutenant general Sept. 17, 1976, with date of rank Sept. 16, 1976.

(Current as of February 1977)