William J. Begert

Last updated
William J. Begert
William J Begert.jpg
General William J. Begert
Born (1946-06-09) June 9, 1946 (age 78)
Lewiston, Maine
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Air Force
Years of service1968–2004
Rank US-O10 insignia.svg General
CommandsPacific Air Forces
Air Mobility Warfare Center
60th Military Airlift Wing
436th Military Airlift Wing
Battles / wars Vietnam War
Awards Legion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
Air Medal (12)

General William J. Begert (born June 9, 1946) [1] is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He served as commander, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Component Commander for the Commander, United States Pacific Command, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. As commander, he had responsibility for USAF activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports 55,500 airmen serving principally in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

Contents

Background

Begert graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1968 and served as an instructor and evaluator pilot in C-141 Starlifter, O-2 Skymaster and C-5 Galaxy aircraft early in his career. During the Vietnam War, he was assigned as a forward air controller at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew more than 300 combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. He has more than 875 combat hours. In earlier assignments, Begert commanded a flying squadron and two USAF wings. He was chief of the Mobility Forces Division on the Air Staff. At Scott AFB, Illinois, he served as chief of staff as well as director of operations and logistics for Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command, and as inspector general for Headquarters Air Mobility Command. Begert was the first commander of the USAF Air Mobility Warfare Center at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. He also served as the vice commander of United States Air Forces in Europe during the air war over Serbia. Prior to becoming PACAF commander, he was the assistant vice chief of staff for Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C. Begert retired on August 1, 2004. In 2005, Begert was named vice president for military international programs & business development with Pratt & Whitney, Military Engines. He is married to the former Joanne Feeley of Palos Park, Illinois. The Begerts have a son, Bill, a daughter, Kary, and two grandchildren.

Education

Assignments

Flight information

Awards and decorations

COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon.svg Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg
Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Meritorious Service ribbon.svg
Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Medal ribbon.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Silver oakleaf-3d.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Air Medal with two silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation ribbon.svg Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png Presidential Unit Citation
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award-3d.svg
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg Valor device.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Oak leaf cluster, bronze.svg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Organizational Excellence ribbon.svg
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Combat Readiness Medal ribbon.svg
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with three service stars
Silver-service-star-3d.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg
Vietnam Service Medal with six service stars
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars
KosovoRib.svg Kosovo Campaign Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg
Armed Forces Service Medal with two service stars
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon.svg Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Silver oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
Air Force Training Ribbon.svg Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross ribbon.svg Award-star-silver-3d.png Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one silver and one bronze stars
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

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References

  1. "Release".