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First Name: Bernard

Last Name: Randolph

Birthplace: New Orleans, LA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Middle Name: P.



Date of Birth: 10 July 1933



Rank: General

Years Served: 1956-1990
Bernard P. Randolph

   
Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Bernard P. Randolph

General, U.S. Air Force

Bernard P. Randolph was born on 10 July 1933 in New Orleans, LA. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1954. His first assignment after completing aviation cadet training at Ellington Air Force Base, TX, and Mather Air Force Base, CA, was with the Strategic Air Command at Lincoln Air Force Base, NE, from June 1956 to June 1962. He instructed and evaluated KC-97 Stratotanker and B-47 Stratojet flight crews. While there, he was a member of a select crew.

Randolph attended the University of North Dakota until July 1965 and then was assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Station, CA, as Chief, On-Orbit Operations, Space Systems Division. He next was assigned as Assistant Deputy Program Director for Launch and Orbital Operations, and was responsible for all payload operations.

From August 1968 to October 1969, Randolph attended Air Command and Staff College, and Auburn University. He then was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam as an Airlift Operations Officer at Chu Lai and Airlift Coordinator at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. He was responsible for the total operation of about 50 C-7 and C-123 airlift sorties daily from Chu Lai and later coordinated the operations of all airlift control elements throughout the Republic of Vietnam.

Upon his return to the U.S. in November 1970, Randolph was assigned to Air Force Systems Command Headquarters as Chief of Command Plans in test evaluation, and then as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

He attended Air War College from August 1973 to June 1974 and was a distinguished graduate. After graduation, he returned to Los Angeles Air Force Station as Director, Space Systems Planning, for the Space and Missile Systems Organization. In April 1975, he became Deputy Program Director and, later, Program Director for the Air Force Satellite Communications System. He assumed responsibility for Space Defense Systems at Space Division Headquarters, Los Angeles Air Force Station, in March 1978. In this capacity, he managed a program to design and develop the U.S. anti-satellite system with its supporting surveillance, command and control, and survivability aspects.

From July 1980 to September 1981, Randolph served as Vice Commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, GA. He then became Director of Space Systems and Command, Control and Communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC. Randolph returned again to Los Angeles Air Force Station as Vice Commander and Deputy Commander for Space Systems Acquisition for Space Division in May 1983. In June 1984, he became Vice Commander of Air Force Systems Command. He returned to Air Force Headquarters in May 1985 and served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition.

On 1 August 1987, Randolph was promoted to the four-star rank of General and assumed his final command as Commander, Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC).

General Randolph retired from the Air Force on 31 March 1990. During his service, he was a Command Pilot and also earned the Master Space and Missile Badge.

He earned Bachelor (magna cum laude) and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of North Dakota through the Air Force Institute of Technology program in 1964 and 1965, respectively. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1959, and Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate in 1969, concurrently earning a Master's degree in Business Administration from Auburn University.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Presidential Unit Citation

Badges

Command Pilot Badge
Master Space and Missile Badge



Honoree ID: 817   Created by: MHOH

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