Howard D. Stendahl

Last updated
Howard D. Stendahl
MGen Stendahl Official Photo.jpg
As Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.
Born (1951-08-01) August 1, 1951 (age 73)
Saint Paul, Minnesota
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
Service / branch Seal of the US Air Force.svg United States Air Force
Years of service1985–2015
Rank US Air Force O8 shoulderboard rotated.svg Major General

Howard Douglas Stendahl (born August 1, 1951) [1] is the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force, promoted to Major General with an effective date of August 2, 2012. [2] He was officially promoted and installed as the Air Force Chief of Chaplains at a ceremony held at Bolling Air Force Base on August 31, 2012.

Contents

Early life

Born and reared in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota], Stendahl was ordained in 1977 into the ministry of The American Lutheran Church now a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He studied Clinical Pastoral Education and served as a parish pastor in Texas and Wisconsin before entering the Air Force Chaplain Service in 1985.

Education

According to Stendahl's official U.S. Air Force bio, his education includes: [3]

Chaplain Stendahl delivers the keynote address at the Mountainhome Air Force Base National Prayer Breakfast Howard D Stendahl.jpg
Chaplain Stendahl delivers the keynote address at the Mountainhome Air Force Base National Prayer Breakfast

Military assignments

Stendahls's past assignments, prior to his promotion to brigadier general and assignment as U.S. Air Force deputy chief of chaplains, included: [3]

Personal

In the 2024 United States presidential election, Stendahl endorsed Kamala Harris. [4]

Awards and honors

Stendahl's numerous military awards include: [3]

USAF Christian Chaplain Insignia.jpg
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Bronze Star ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg Valor device.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Bronze-service-star-3d.svg
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon.svg
U.S. Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Air Force Recruiter Ribbon.svg
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg
Headquarters US Air Force Badge.png
Badge Air Force Christian Chaplain Badge
1st row Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
2nd row Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
3rd row Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Joint Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three oak leaf clusters
4th row Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
5th row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with service star Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short with oak leaf cluster
6th row Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters Recruiting Service Ribbon
7th row Air Force Training Ribbon Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Badge Headquarters Air Force badge

See also

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References

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from Chaplain Howard D. Stendahl Biography. United States Air Force.

  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2024-12-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "www.af.mil, retrieved August 31, 2012". Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 www.acc.af.mil Archived 2011-03-09 at the Wayback Machine , retrieved May 12, 2011.
  4. "NSL4A Endorses Kamala Harris for President of the United States". National Security Leaders for America. Retrieved Jan 25, 2025.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
2012–2015
Succeeded by