Brigadier General Armando de Leon is mobilization assistant to the staff judge advocate, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
General de Leon was born Oct. 14, 1934, in Nogales, Ariz., and graduated from Tucson (Ariz.) Senior High School in 1952. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956 and a bachelor of laws degree in 1959, both from the University of Arizona. He completed Air War College in 1981.
The general received a direct commission as a first lieutenant in the judge advocate general’s department, U.S. Air Force Reserve, in October 1959. He then was assigned on extended active duty as an assistant staff judge advocate with the base legal office at March Air Force Base, Calif. In January 1962 he completed foreign language training at the Foreign Service Institute, Department of State, Arlington, VA., and was assigned as an assistant staff judge advocate with the Joint United States Military Group, Madrid, Spain. He was released from extended active duty in July 1965.
In February 1966 General de Leon was assigned as a Reserve judge advocate at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In march 1968 he transferred to the Office of the Judge Advocate General, headquarters U>S> Air Force, Washington, D.C., as mobilization assistant to the staff judge advocate, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in March 1983. He assumed his present duties in June 1986.
General de Leon’s military decorations and awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hourglass device and Air Force Training Ribbon.
In his civilian capacity, General de Leon is a state trial court judge presiding in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Ariz. He served as an elected member of the Phoenix City Council for two terms, 1970 – 1974.
His civic affiliations include membership in state and county bar associations, and the Reserve Officers Association.
He was promoted to brigadier general Nov 30, 1987, with the same date of rank.
General de Leon is married to the former Sylvia Soto of Tucson. They have five children: Louis Armando, Carlos, Arthur, Luci and Laurie.