A retired Air Force general passed away Aug 7, 2013 due to natural causes in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Retired Gen. John Pauly, who was 90 years old at the time of his death, retired Aug 1. 1980 after serving his last assignment as commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe and commander in chief, United States Air Forces in Europe.

Pauly graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1945 where he earned his commissioning and pilot wings.

Following graduation from West Point, Pauly attended B-25 Mitchell and B-17 Flying Fortress transition training and Junior Officers Staff School prior to reporting to the 60th Troop Carrier Group, Munich, Germany, in February 1946, according to his official biography.

He later served there as an instructor at the Central Pilots School of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and as assistant operations officer for the 11th Troop Carrier Squadron. Pauly went on to also serve during the Korean War, flying 55 night intruder combat missions, totaling 230 combat hours in B-26 Marauder aircraft.

After several stateside and overseas assignments, Pauly was appointed commander in chief, USAFE, and AAFCE commander in August 1978.

During his Air Force career, Pauly earned the rating of command pilot with more than 6,000 hours of flying time. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; and from the Republic of Vietnam, the Air Force Distinguished Service Order (2nd Class) and the Gallantry Cross with palm.

Pauly’s funeral services and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.