Lawrence Albert Skantze

General, U.S. Air Force

Lawrence Albert Skantze was born on 24 June 1928 in the Bronx, NY. After graduation from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a radio operator. In 1948, he received a competitive appointment from the U.S. Atlantic Fleet to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. He graduated from the USNA in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

He completed his basic pilot training at Marana, AZ, and advanced training at Reese AFB, TX, where he received his pilot wings in August 1953. He next entered B-26 combat crew training and in February 1954 was assigned to the 90th Bombardment Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. In January 1955, he returned to the U.S. to become Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of 14th Air Force at Robins AFB, GA. Skantze entered the Air Force Institute of Technology in August 1957 and graduated in 1959.

His initial research and development assignment was as Project Engineer with the joint Air Force-Atomic Energy Commission Nuclear Powered Airplane Program in Germantown, MD. In August 1961, he was a Staff Officer assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington, DC. From June 1963 to August 1965, he was Assistant Executive Officer to the Under-Secretary of the Air Force.

Graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College the following year, Skantze served for three and a half years as Director of System Engineering and Advanced Planning in the Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program at the Space and Missile Systems Organization in Los Angeles.

From August 1969 to May 1971, he was assigned to Headquarters Air Force Systems Command at Andrews AFB, MD, initially as Director of Assignments and later as Assistant for Senior Officer Management. He then became Deputy for the AGM-69A Short-Range Attack Missile at the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.

After serving as Deputy for the E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System Program at Hanscom AFB, MA, from June 1973 to June 1977, he returned to Air Force Systems Command Headquarters as Deputy Chief of Staff for Systems. Skantze took Command of the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in March 1979.

In August 1982, Skantze was named Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition at Air Force Headquarters. He was responsible for all U.S. Air Force research, development and acquisition programs. On 6 October 1983, Skantze was promoted to the four-star rank of General and appointed as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force in Washington. He assumed Command of Air Force Systems Command in August 1984.

General Skantze retired from the Air Force on 31 July 1987. He was a Command Pilot and also earned the Senior Missileman Badge.

He received a Master of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, in 1959. He completed Squadron Officer School at Maxwell AFB, AL, and Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA.

Medals and Awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards)

Army Commendation Medal

Badges

Command Pilot Badge

Senior Missileman Badge

Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge