MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD J. O'KEEFE
Richard Joseph O'Keefe was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1905. He enlisted in the 244th Coast Artillery, New York National Guard, on Feb. 28, 1924 and was discharged on July 16, 1926, after he entered West Point as a cadet. He graduated from Devitt Prep School, Washington, D.C., in 1926 where he prepared for West Point. He was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy from the 4th District, N.Y., and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on June 12, 1930, with a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry.
Second Lieutenant O'Keefe was detailed to the Army Air Corps in September 1930 and was assigned to March Field as a student officer for primary and basic flying training. In June 1931 he was transferred to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, bombardment course, and received his pilot's wings in October 1931. He was transferred at that time from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 20th Bombardment Squadron, Second Bombardment Group, Langley Field, Va.
He entered the Air Corps Technical School, Maintenance Engineering and Armament, at Chanute Field, Ill., in July 1933 and graduated a year later.
Following graduation he was assigned as chief inspector and engineering officer of the Panama Air Depot, Panama Canal Zone, with station at France Field. He returned to the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in August 1936 where he was appointed assistant director of engineering.
Entering the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, in August 1938, he graduated the following July and was assigned to the Experimental Engineering Section, Power Plant Laboratory at Wright Field, becoming chief of the Engine Accessory Group in December 1940. During the summer of 1941, he was assigned as chief of the Engine Group, Field Service Section, until his departure for Rome Air Depot, N.Y., in May 1942. He was named depot chief engineering officer, becoming chief of the Maintenance Division, Rome Air Materiel Area, in February 1943. That October he assumed command of the Miami Air Depot, Fla., and two months later was designated chief of the Maintenance Division.
Going to the African-Middle East Theater in August 1944, he commanded the Eighth Air Depot Group and in April 1945 commanded The First Air Service Area Command with headquarters at Cairo, Egypt. He returned to the United States at the end of World War II and in January 1946 was appointed assistant chief of the Power Plant Laboratory at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. In February 1948 he was appointed commander, Dhahran Air Field, Saudi Arabia. He was also designated chief, Saudi Arabian Training Mission and in July 1949 was appointed chief, Joint United States - Saudi Arabian Survey Group. At this time he was appointed temporary brigadier general, U.S. Air Force.
He returned to the United States in February 1951 and in March was appointed director, Flight Safety Research, in the Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Inspection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, with duty station at Norton Air Force Base, Calif.
He was named deputy director of supply and services, Deputy Chief of Staff for Materiel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, on May 9, 1955, with duty station at Washington, D.C. He was appointed director of supply and services a month and a half later.
In April of 1956 he was ordered overseas to Saudi Arabia as chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group. He was also designated commander of the Second Air Division. On June 8, he was appointed commander, Seventeenth Air Force, a subordinate command of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Wheelus Air Base, Tripoli, Libya, In October 1956 he was appointed temporary major general.
He returned to the United States on July 1, 1958, and was named deputy inspector general for security, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General O'Keefe is a command pilot and technical observer.
INTERESTS
Has extensive collection of sporting rifles; is an avid hunter and woodsman; fond of golfing, fishing, travelling and the outdoors. Is extremely interested in geopolitics of Africa and the Middle East areas and especially Arab culture and people. Do it yourself addict and tinkerer. Actively participates in community relations activities and events.
DECORATIONS AND MEDALS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
European-African Eastern Campaign Medal
American Defense Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
American Campaign Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
OPINIONS, TASTES AND EVALUATIONS
Prefers plain American cooking; wears predominately conservative clothing; prefers comfortable, rather than luxurious living accommodations. Likes historical novels, technical treatises on external and internal ballistics, folk and classical music, travel in primitive areas, mild dry climates, and is especially interested in Africa and the Middle East. "The squeaking wheel gets the most grease," "A man who can live with himself can live with others." Stresses accuracy and clarity; loyalty up as well as loyalty down; sincerity and integrity in relationships; high degree of competence in expression, both orally and in writing.
Second Lieutenant O'Keefe was detailed to the Army Air Corps in September 1930 and was assigned to March Field as a student officer for primary and basic flying training. In June 1931 he was transferred to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, bombardment course, and received his pilot's wings in October 1931. He was transferred at that time from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the 20th Bombardment Squadron, Second Bombardment Group, Langley Field, Va.
He entered the Air Corps Technical School, Maintenance Engineering and Armament, at Chanute Field, Ill., in July 1933 and graduated a year later.
Following graduation he was assigned as chief inspector and engineering officer of the Panama Air Depot, Panama Canal Zone, with station at France Field. He returned to the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in August 1936 where he was appointed assistant director of engineering.
Entering the Air Corps Engineering School at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, in August 1938, he graduated the following July and was assigned to the Experimental Engineering Section, Power Plant Laboratory at Wright Field, becoming chief of the Engine Accessory Group in December 1940. During the summer of 1941, he was assigned as chief of the Engine Group, Field Service Section, until his departure for Rome Air Depot, N.Y., in May 1942. He was named depot chief engineering officer, becoming chief of the Maintenance Division, Rome Air Materiel Area, in February 1943. That October he assumed command of the Miami Air Depot, Fla., and two months later was designated chief of the Maintenance Division.
Going to the African-Middle East Theater in August 1944, he commanded the Eighth Air Depot Group and in April 1945 commanded The First Air Service Area Command with headquarters at Cairo, Egypt. He returned to the United States at the end of World War II and in January 1946 was appointed assistant chief of the Power Plant Laboratory at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. In February 1948 he was appointed commander, Dhahran Air Field, Saudi Arabia. He was also designated chief, Saudi Arabian Training Mission and in July 1949 was appointed chief, Joint United States - Saudi Arabian Survey Group. At this time he was appointed temporary brigadier general, U.S. Air Force.
He returned to the United States in February 1951 and in March was appointed director, Flight Safety Research, in the Office of the Deputy Inspector General for Inspection, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, with duty station at Norton Air Force Base, Calif.
He was named deputy director of supply and services, Deputy Chief of Staff for Materiel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, on May 9, 1955, with duty station at Washington, D.C. He was appointed director of supply and services a month and a half later.
In April of 1956 he was ordered overseas to Saudi Arabia as chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group. He was also designated commander of the Second Air Division. On June 8, he was appointed commander, Seventeenth Air Force, a subordinate command of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with headquarters at Wheelus Air Base, Tripoli, Libya, In October 1956 he was appointed temporary major general.
He returned to the United States on July 1, 1958, and was named deputy inspector general for security, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
General O'Keefe is a command pilot and technical observer.
INTERESTS
Has extensive collection of sporting rifles; is an avid hunter and woodsman; fond of golfing, fishing, travelling and the outdoors. Is extremely interested in geopolitics of Africa and the Middle East areas and especially Arab culture and people. Do it yourself addict and tinkerer. Actively participates in community relations activities and events.
DECORATIONS AND MEDALS
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
European-African Eastern Campaign Medal
American Defense Service Medal
World War II Victory Medal
American Campaign Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
OPINIONS, TASTES AND EVALUATIONS
Prefers plain American cooking; wears predominately conservative clothing; prefers comfortable, rather than luxurious living accommodations. Likes historical novels, technical treatises on external and internal ballistics, folk and classical music, travel in primitive areas, mild dry climates, and is especially interested in Africa and the Middle East. "The squeaking wheel gets the most grease," "A man who can live with himself can live with others." Stresses accuracy and clarity; loyalty up as well as loyalty down; sincerity and integrity in relationships; high degree of competence in expression, both orally and in writing.