James P. McCarthy
Encyclopedia
James P. McCarthy is a former General
in the United States Air Force
and the former Commander in Chief of the European Command.
, where he graduated from Lincoln High School.
The was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1957 after graduating his bachelor of science degree from Kent State University
. He completed pilot training at Graham Air Force Base, Florida
, and Greenville Air Force Base
, Mississippi
, and was awarded pilot wings in June 1959. He then was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing, Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio
, as a B-47 Stratojet
pilot. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1963.
In June 1964 he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy
, Colorado
, as an air officer commanding, with responsibility for advising and assisting a squadron of cadets in their training. While at the academy, McCarthy established the cadet soaring program and served as its first officer in charge. In June 1967 he began F-4 Phantom II
fighter training and was assigned as a pilot and operations officer with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Yokota Air Base
, Japan
. During his two years there, his squadron was deployed to Osan Air Base
, South Korea
, during several international incidents.
The general transferred to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base
, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1970 as chief of the Operations Plans Division. In December 1970 he became commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang. He flew 152 combat missions in the F-4E Phantom II.
McCarthy returned to the United States
in June 1971 and was assigned to the Office of the Director of Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force
, Washington D.C.. That same year, he graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
. He was responsible for basing Air Force units both overseas and in the United States. He received a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1974. A year before, in August 1973, he entered the National War College
and, after graduating in August 1974, became the vice commandant of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy
. Part of his responsibilities included directing the academy's preparation for the initial admission of women in July 1976. He transferred to the 97th Bombardment Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas
., in March 1977 as vice commander and became commander in September 1978. In March 1979 the general was named commander of the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base
, California
.
In May 1980 he returned to Air Force headquarters as special assistant for M-X matters, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition. He was responsible for the M-X program, and directed the program through most of its concept formulation phase. In October 1982 he became the director of legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington D.C.. In that position he advised the secretary and all principal civilian and military officials of the Department of the Air Force concerning legislative affairs and congressional relations.
In July 1984 he transferred to Headquarters Strategic Air Command
, Offutt Air Force Base
, Nebraska
, where he served as deputy chief of staff for plans, developing policies, programs and requirements for the command. The general assumed command of 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base
, Louisiana
, in January 1987, and was responsible for SAC operations in the eastern half of the United States
, Europe
and the Middle East
. He was next assigned as deputy chief of staff for programs and resources, Air Force headquarters, in March 1988, responsible for Air Force programming, manpower and foreign military sales. He assumed his final position as commander of the United States European Command
in September 1989.
He was promoted to general Oct. 1, 1989, with same date of rank. He retired on November 30, 1992. During his retirement, he has written a number of books. He has also become a professor in the political science department at the United States Air Force Academy
. He also has served on the board of directors of EADS North America, ISX and NAVSYS.
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and the former Commander in Chief of the European Command.
Early life
McCarthy was born in 1935, in Canton, OhioCanton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, where he graduated from Lincoln High School.
The was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1957 after graduating his bachelor of science degree from Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
. He completed pilot training at Graham Air Force Base, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and Greenville Air Force Base
Greenville Air Force Base (Mississippi)
Greenville Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base in Greenville, Mississippi. It was closed in the 1960s and redeveloped into Mid-Delta Regional Airport.- History :...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and was awarded pilot wings in June 1959. He then was assigned to the 301st Bombardment Wing, Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, as a B-47 Stratojet
B-47 Stratojet
The Boeing Model 450 B-47 Stratojet was a long-range, six-engined, jet-powered medium bomber built to fly at high subsonic speeds and at high altitudes. It was primarily designed to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union...
pilot. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1963.
In June 1964 he was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, as an air officer commanding, with responsibility for advising and assisting a squadron of cadets in their training. While at the academy, McCarthy established the cadet soaring program and served as its first officer in charge. In June 1967 he began F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
fighter training and was assigned as a pilot and operations officer with the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Yokota Air Base
Yokota Air Base
, is a United States Air Force base in the city of Fussa, one of 26 cities in the Tama Area, or Western Tokyo.The base houses 14,000 personnel. The base occupies a total area of and has a runway...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. During his two years there, his squadron was deployed to Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base
Osan Air Base , is a United States Air Force facility located in the Songtan section of Pyeongtaek City, South Korea, south of Seoul. Despite its name, Osan AB is not within Osan City, which is to the north. The base is the home of the Pacific Air Forces' 51st Fighter Wing, and a number of tenant...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, during several international incidents.
The general transferred to the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1970 as chief of the Operations Plans Division. In December 1970 he became commander of the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang. He flew 152 combat missions in the F-4E Phantom II.
McCarthy returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in June 1971 and was assigned to the Office of the Director of Programs, Headquarters United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, Washington D.C.. That same year, he graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
. He was responsible for basing Air Force units both overseas and in the United States. He received a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1974. A year before, in August 1973, he entered the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
and, after graduating in August 1974, became the vice commandant of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. Part of his responsibilities included directing the academy's preparation for the initial admission of women in July 1976. He transferred to the 97th Bombardment Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
., in March 1977 as vice commander and became commander in September 1978. In March 1979 the general was named commander of the 93rd Bombardment Wing at Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced and about east southeast of San Francisco, California....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
In May 1980 he returned to Air Force headquarters as special assistant for M-X matters, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition. He was responsible for the M-X program, and directed the program through most of its concept formulation phase. In October 1982 he became the director of legislative liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington D.C.. In that position he advised the secretary and all principal civilian and military officials of the Department of the Air Force concerning legislative affairs and congressional relations.
In July 1984 he transferred to Headquarters Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base
Offutt Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation near Omaha, and lies adjacent to Bellevue in Sarpy County, Nebraska. It is the headquarters of the U.S...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, where he served as deputy chief of staff for plans, developing policies, programs and requirements for the command. The general assumed command of 8th Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-southeast of Bossier City, Louisiana.The host unit at Barksdale is the 2d Bomb Wing , the oldest Bomb Wing in the Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, in January 1987, and was responsible for SAC operations in the eastern half of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. He was next assigned as deputy chief of staff for programs and resources, Air Force headquarters, in March 1988, responsible for Air Force programming, manpower and foreign military sales. He assumed his final position as commander of the United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
in September 1989.
He was promoted to general Oct. 1, 1989, with same date of rank. He retired on November 30, 1992. During his retirement, he has written a number of books. He has also become a professor in the political science department at the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. He also has served on the board of directors of EADS North America, ISX and NAVSYS.
Awards
Awards earned during his career:- Defense Distinguished Service MedalDefense Distinguished Service MedalThe Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...
- Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters - Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with seven oak leaf clusters - Air Force Commendation Medal
- Presidential Unit CitationPresidential Unit CitationThe Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with a "V" device and five oak leaf clusters
- Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
- Combat Readiness MedalCombat Readiness MedalThe Combat Readiness Medal is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1964. The original Combat Readiness Medal was an award senior to the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded for superior and meritorious duty to the United States Air Force...
- National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
with a service star - Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
- Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with four service stars - Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters
- Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Gold Palm
- Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours in 28 aircraft