Thomas M. Ryan Jr. | |
---|---|
Birth name | Thomas Martin Ryan Jr. |
Born | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | December 10, 1928
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1950–1985 |
Rank | General |
Thomas Martin Ryan Jr. (born December 10, 1928) is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the commander of Air Training Command (COMATC) from 1981 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief of the Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC) from 1983 to 1985.
Ryan was born on December 10, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, in 1946. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in military science from the University of Omaha in 1965, and a Master of Science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1968. He graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1965 and from the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in 1968.
Ryan became an aviation cadet in September 1949, and after completing pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in October 1950. He then served in various flying assignments with the Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico; and Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia, until July 1953 when he entered observer training school at Ellington and James Connally Air Force bases, Texas.
From May 1954 to June 1962, he was assigned to Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, as a B-47 pilot, select crew aircraft commander, instructor pilot and squadron operations officer. In 1958 he became a standardization evaluator in the 90th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
Ryan transferred to SAC headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, in June 1962 as a staff officer in the Plans and Organizational Section of the Weapons Management Branch, Weapons Maintenance Division. In February 1965 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College and following graduation in July 1965 he joined the SR-71 equipped 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California, where he served as chief of the Quality Control Division and later as chief of the Maintenance Control Division.
In July 1968 he graduated from the Air War College and then attended RF-4C combat crew training at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. In March 1969 he was assigned to the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as a maintenance control officer and later as chief of maintenance. During this tour of duty he flew 114 combat missions in RF-4C's.
Upon his return to the United States, Ryan served on the staff of the inspector general, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., from April 1970 to June 1971. He then transferred to Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, as vice commander and then commander of the 379th Bombardment Wing. During 1972 and 1973, he completed a temporary tour of duty as commander, 303rd Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and participated in the Linebacker II campaign against North Vietnam in December 1972.
He assumed duties as commander of the 47th Air Division with headquarters at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, in July 1973. Ryan was again assigned to SAC headquarters in January 1974 as assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics and in January 1975 become the deputy chief of staff for logistics.
He returned to Air Force headquarters in April 1976 as director for logistics plans and programs, and in July 1977 become the deputy chief of staff for systems and logistics. From October 1977 to July 1981, Ryan served as vice commander in chief of the Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base. He then became commander of Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He assumed command of Military Airlift Command in June 1983.
Ryan is a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters and Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
Ryan was promoted to general August 1, 1981, with date of rank July 31, 1981.
Command Air Force Pilot Badge | |
Basic Missile Maintenance Badge |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal | |
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal | |
Legion of Merit | |
Distinguished Flying Cross | |
Bronze Star Medal | |
Air Medal | |
Air Force Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation | |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device | |
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star | |
Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars | |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters | |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon | |
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross | |
Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Ryan retired from the U.S. Air Force on September 30, 1985.
In 2011 he was inducted into the Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame. [1]
Duncan J. McNabb is a retired United States Air Force general who last served as the ninth commander, United States Transportation Command from September 5, 2008, to October 17, 2011. He previously served as the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
George Lee Butler, sometimes known as Lee Butler, is an American retired military officer. He was commander in chief, United States Strategic Command, and the last commander of Strategic Air Command. Following his retirement from the military he became active in the nuclear disarmament movement, calling for the outright abolition of nuclear weapons.
General Paul Kendall Carlton, also known as P. K. Carlton, was commander in chief of the Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
General George T. Babbitt is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Materiel Command (COMAFMC), from 1997 to 2000.
James P. Mullins is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC) from 1981 to 1984.
Robert Ernest Huyser was a four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command (DCINCEUR) from 1975 to 1979; and as Commander in Chief, Military Airlift Command (CINCMAC) from 1979 to 1981.
Alfred Gustav Hansen is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander, Air Force Logistics Command (COMAFLC) from 1987 to 1989.
General John Louis Piotrowski is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF), from 1985 to 1987; and Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command/Commander in Chief, U.S. Space Command (CINCNORAD/USCINCSPACE), from 1987 to 1990.
Leslie J. Westberg was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force. He piloted bombers on combat missions in both World War II and the Korean War and reconnaissance aircraft in the Vietnam War.
General Walter Kross is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command from 1996 to 1998.
General John Albert Shaud is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe from 1988 to 1991.
Earl Terrence O'Loughlin was a general and commander of the Air Force Logistics Command, with headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Duane Harlan Cassidy was a general in the United States Air Force and the former commander of the Military Airlift Command and United States Transportation Command.
Robert F. Coverdale was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who served as vice commander in chief, Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Thomas Albert Aldrich was a major general in the United States Air Force who served as commander, Twenty-Second Air Force, Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Travis Air Force Base, California.
Donald William Bennett was a major general in the United States Air Force who served as commander, Twenty-Second Air Force, Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Travis Air Force Base, California.
David R. Smith was a major general in the United States Air Force who served as Commander of the United States Air Force Reserve Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C., and commander, Headquarters Air Force Reserve, a separate operating agency located at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. As chief of Air Force Reserve, he served as the principal adviser on Reserve matters to the Air Force Chief of Staff. As commander of AFRES, he had full responsibility for the supervision of U.S. Air Force Reserve units around the world. He was also commander of the 10th Air Force.
George David Miller is a retired American Air Force lieutenant general whose last assignment was vice commander in chief, Strategic Air Command, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. He assumed this position September 1, 1981, and served until August 31, 1984.
Anthony J. Burshnick is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. He was vice commander in chief, Military Airlift Command, with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base.
Robert Duane Beckel is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. He was the commander of the 15th Air Force at March Air Force Base, California.