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Raymond Judson Reeves |
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Graduate, U.S. Military Academy, Class of 1934 |
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Biography: | ||||
Raymond Judson Reeves General, U.S. Air Force Raymond Judson Reeves was born on 5 February 1909 in Chattanooga, TN. He moved to Washington, DC, at an early age where he attended grammar and high school. After two years at the University of Maryland he entered the U.S. Military Academy. He graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1934. Reeves entered flying training the same year and received his pilot wings in October 1935 at Kelly Field, TX. In February 1936 he was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, Philippine Islands. Two and a half years later he returned to the U.S. and was assigned to the Air Corps Technical School at Lowry Field, CO. At the beginning of World War II, he was assigned as Director of Training, Army Air Forces Technical School, Gulfport Field, MS. Reeves later served as Director of Training, and then Commanding Officer, of the Army Air Forces Technical School at Yale University. Under his command, the school graduated more than 14,000 officers specifically trained in aircraft maintenance, engineering, air and ground communications, aircraft armament and aerial intelligence photography. In 1945 he was assigned to the Far East Command as Chief of the Redeployment Section, later becoming Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Supply. During his Far East Air Forces tour of duty, he also served as Deputy Commanding Officer, 13th Fighter Command; Chief of Staff, 85th Fighter Wing; and as Commander of Fort William McKinley. Following duty assignments at U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, Reeves was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Wiesbaden, Germany, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel. During this time, USAFE was helping to reinforce the North Atlantic Treaty Organization through a buildup of U.S. Air Force units in Europe. He was responsible for manning combat and support units, as well as for personnel policies, for a command of more than 100,000 people in more than 15 countries of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Returning to U.S. Air Force Headquarters in 1954, he was assigned as Director of Military Personnel under the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel. In July 1959 he became Vice Commander of the Military Air Transport Service with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base, IL, and, in August 1963, he became Commander-in-Chief, Alaskan Command with additional duty as Commander, Alaskan NORAD Region. On 29 July 1966 Reeves was promoted to the four-star rank of General and assigned as Commander-in-Chief of NORAD/CONAD, with headquarters at Ent Air Force Base, CO. General Reeves retired from the Air Force on 31 July 1969. Medals and Awards Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon (2 Awards) Death and Burial Raymond J. Reeves died on 16 November 1998. He is buried at the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, CO. |
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Honoree ID: 820 | Created by: MHOH |