Maj. Gen. James E. Simon is mobilization assistant to the deputy chief of staff for logistics, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
He was born Sept. 28, 1933, in Ironwood, Michigan, and graduated from Ironwood High School in 1951. He received a bachelor of science degree, with honors, in civil engineering in 1956 and a master of science degree in civil engineering in 1961, both from Michigan Technological University. He earned a doctor of philosophy degree in leadership and human behavior in 1981 from the U.S. International University. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1962, Air Command and Staff College in 1972, Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1977 and the Air War College in 1982.
He was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1956. After a year of employment with the Boeing Co., Seattle, as a structures technology staff engineer on the B-52G program, the general entered active duty in June 1957. After completing the aircraft maintenance officer course at Chanute Air Force Base, Illonois, in January 1958, he remained at Chanute with the 3345th Technical Training Group as an instructor in the aircraft maintenance officer and aircraft maintenance management courses.
Upon release from active duty in June 1960, Maj. Gen. Simon joined the Air Force Reserve as mobilization assistant to the chief of aircraft maintenance, 325th Fighter Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Washington, where he served as an aircraft maintenance officer from December 1961 to June 1968. He subsequently was assigned to aircraft maintenance, engineering and logistics Reserve positions at McChord with the 62nd Military Airlift Wing, the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and the 25th Air Division.
In December 1977, General Simon was assigned to Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as mobilization assistant to the director of programs for engineering and services. With the reorganization of Aerospace Defense Command, he was assigned to the same position at Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, in March 1980. In August 1980 he became mobilization assistant to the vice commander, 25th Air Division, McChord Air Force Base. He was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in May 1981 as mobilization assistant to the chief of Aircraft Systems Division, Logistics and Engineering. In July 1982 he became mobilization assistant to the assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics and engineering at Air Force headquarters. He assumed his present duties in November 1987.
His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and Air Force Training Ribbon. The general wears the Master Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance Badges. He was selected as Aerospace Defense Command’s Outstanding Mobilization Augmentee of the Year in 1973.
In his civilian capacity, the general is an engineering management systems and quality improvement program manager for the Boeing Commercial Airplane Co., Seattle.
His professional affiliations include the Air Force Association (life member), Reserve Officers Association, Boeing Management Association, Boeing Museum of Flight Foundation (charter member), Michigan Technological University Alumni Association and United States International University Alumni Association.
He was promoted to major general April 27, 1990, with the same date of rank.
(Current as of June 1990)