John D. Stevenson (Air Force general)
Encyclopedia
John D. Stevenson was a U.S. Air Force general. A Native of Laramie, Wyoming, he graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1937, ranked 15th in a class of 300. On graduation he entered the Army Air Force Flying School, completing this training in October 1938. He was serving in Puerto Rico
in command of the 22nd Pursuit Squadron when Pearl Harbor was attacked. In June 1942, he was transferred to England where he served on the staff of General Eisenhower. In November 1942, he served in North Africa as a staff officer. In April 1943, he was named commander of a 27th Fighter Bomber Group. In August 1943, he was shot down and captured by the Germans. Following his return to the ZI in April 1945 he served as Assistant Chief of Staff; Operations ; Tactical Air Command ; IG for Aiways and Air Communications
Service ; Chief of Plans Division for MATS; Chief Atomic Energy. He was graduated from the Air War College in 1948. In February 1952, he was named commander of the newly-activated 49th Air Division
at Langley Air Force Base. In 1966, he retired from the Air Force and became a NASA
administrator. From 1967 until 1971, he was director of mission operations in the Office of Manned Space Flight. His decorations include:
Legion of Merit ; Distinguished flying Cross ; Air Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Purple Heart(two Oak Leaf Clusters); British D.F.C.
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1937, ranked 15th in a class of 300. On graduation he entered the Army Air Force Flying School, completing this training in October 1938. He was serving in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in command of the 22nd Pursuit Squadron when Pearl Harbor was attacked. In June 1942, he was transferred to England where he served on the staff of General Eisenhower. In November 1942, he served in North Africa as a staff officer. In April 1943, he was named commander of a 27th Fighter Bomber Group. In August 1943, he was shot down and captured by the Germans. Following his return to the ZI in April 1945 he served as Assistant Chief of Staff; Operations ; Tactical Air Command ; IG for Aiways and Air Communications
Service ; Chief of Plans Division for MATS; Chief Atomic Energy. He was graduated from the Air War College in 1948. In February 1952, he was named commander of the newly-activated 49th Air Division
49th Air Division
The 49th Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at RAF Sculthorpe, England. It was inactivated on 1 July 1956.-History:...
at Langley Air Force Base. In 1966, he retired from the Air Force and became a NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
administrator. From 1967 until 1971, he was director of mission operations in the Office of Manned Space Flight. His decorations include:
Legion of Merit ; Distinguished flying Cross ; Air Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Purple Heart(two Oak Leaf Clusters); British D.F.C.