MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT S. DELLIGATTI

Major General Robert S. Delligatti is chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

General Delligatti was born in Granttown, W.Va., in 1933. He graduated from Kingwood (W.Va.) High School in 1951 and Randolph Macon Academy in 1952. He entered Washington and Lee University in 1952 and was selected to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1955. The general earned a bachelor of science degree from the academy in 1959 and a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University in 1974. He completed Air Command and Staff College in 1974, and Air War College in 1980.

The general completed pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in October 1960. After finishing B-47 training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., he was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing at Lockbourne (now Rickenbacker) Air Force Base, Ohio. In 1964 he was assigned to the 19th Bombardment Wing, Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., as a B-52 aircraft commander and instructor pilot.

In 1967 General Delligatti was selected as one of the initial cadre of pilots to fly the F/FB-111A and entered training at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. From July 1971 to August 1973 he served with the 380th Bombardment Wing, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, N.Y., as commander of the FB-111A Central Flight Instructor School.

After graduating from Air Command and Staff College, he was assigned to the U.S. Support Activities Group, 7th Air Force, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. In September 1974 he was assigned to the defense attache, South Vietnam, as supervisor of airlift at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. General Delligatti commanded flight operations there until April 30, 1975, when he was evacuated via helicopter to the USS Midway, stationed in the South China Sea.

General Delligatti transferred to the Directorate of Operations and Readiness, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in August 1975. In 1977 he became assistant director for joint matters, programs and budget review. After graduating from the Air War College in June 1980, he returned to Air Force headquarters as assistant deputy director for force development, Directorate of Plans. In April 1981 General Delligatti was assigned as chief of strategic programs, Directorate of Programs and Evaluation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Resources. He became chief of staff, Air Force Academy, in March 1982.

From August 1983 to August 1984 General Delligatti served as deputy director of forces, Directorate of Programs and Evaluation, Air Force headquarters. He then was assigned as deputy director for international programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Resources. In February 1985 he became director of international programs. The general was assigned as deputy chief of staff for plans and requirements, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from March 1987 until October 1988 when he became vice commander. He assumed his present position in August 1991.

The general is a command pilot with more than 4,200 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

He was promoted to major general Oct. 1, 1988, with same date of rank.

(Current as of December 1991)