Andrew Philip Iosue
General, U.S. Air Force

Andrew Philip Iosue was born on 7 November 1927 in Somerville, MA. He graduated from Everett High School in 1945 and then attended the University of Massachusetts where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Bacteriology in 1951.

Military Career

He entered active duty in July 1951 as a Medical Service Officer with primary duty as a Bacteriologist at Westover Air Force Base, MA. Iosue next entered flight training. He received his pilot wings in March 1954 at Reese AFB, TX, and completed training at Mather AFB, CA, in September 1954. He then was assigned to the 36th Air Rescue Squadron at Johnson Air Base, Japan.

From July 1957 to August 1960, he was an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Cornell University. He subsequently returned to operational duties with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, SC. In June 1963, Iosue received his initial assignment in tactical airlift, when he joined the 317th Troop Carrier Wing at Evreux Air Base, France, flying C-130 Hercules. He moved with the wing in 1964 to Lockbourne AFB, OH, where he remained until July 1966 as a C-130 Instructor Pilot and Chief of Wing Training. Iosue then spent four years as Chief of the Rated Officer Assignments Section for the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph AFB.

Vietnam

In July 1970, he went to the Republic of Vietnam and Commanded the 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. The unit was responsible for the Forward Air Controllers (FACs) in Southeast Asia. In May 1971, he became Commander of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan. Highlights of this assignment included developing and implementing a C-130 low-level drop system in support of operations at An Loc, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1972; flying more than 200 combat missions while in Southeast Asia; and in January 1973, in support of the release of American Prisoners of War (POWs), flying the first U.S. Air Force aircraft to land at Gia Lam Airbase in Hanoi in 19 years.

Later Years

From June 1973 to July 1975, Iosue was assigned as Deputy Director of Personnel Programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, DC. He later became Director. He was then named Commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service and Deputy Chief of Staff, Recruiting, for Air Training Command at Randolph AFB.

Iosue took Command of the Air Force Military Training Center at Lackland AFB, TX, in September 1976. In March 1979, his assigned driver chased Ed Roney, an Airman who was in basic training at the time, after Roney failed to salute the General's staff car as it passed. Roney escaped and made his way back to his BMTS. When Roney graduated from BMTS a couple of weeks later, he sent the General two Domino's pizzas. In April 1979, Iosue returned to Air Force Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower and Personnel.

On 1 July 1983, Iosue was promoted to the four-star rank of General and took command of Air Training Command.

General Iosue retired from the Air Force on 1 September 1986. During his service, Iosue became a Command Pilot with over 6,500 flying hours; he also earned the Parachutist Badge.

Medals and Awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (3 Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Awards)

Air Medal (4 Awards)

Air Force Commendation Medal

Presidential Unit Citation (2 Awards)

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2 Awards)

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

Badges

Command Pilot Badge
Parachutist Badge

Honors

• Iosue received an Honorary Doctor of Aeronautics Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, in December 1983.

• He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Akron in May 1985.