Kenneth P. Bergquist (United States Air Force)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth P. Bergquist was an officer of the United States Air Force
, and its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces
, who ultimately attained the rank of Major General
.
in 1912. His family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota
in 1928, and he graduated from Central High School
. He attended the University of North Dakota
for a year, before enrolling in the United States Military Academy
in 1931. Upon his graduation in 1935, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
in the United States Army
.
Bergquist began flight training
at Randolph Air Force Base
in 1935, and completed flight training at Kelly Air Force Base
, receiving his pilot's wings
in October 1936.
Bergquist's first posting was to Langley Air Force Base. In December 1937, he became assistant operations
officer of the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley. He next became assistant operations officer of the 2nd Wing at General Headquarters Air Force, also at Langley.
After a promotion to First Lieutenant
, Bergquist was posted to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Army Airfield
in mid-1939. He was promoted to become the 18th Pursuit Group's operations and intelligence officer in June 1940. A year later, he became a Colonel
and operations officer of the 14th Pursuit Wing (soon to be renamed the Hawaiian Interceptor Command). The Hawaiian Interceptor Command suffered heavy casualties during the December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor
by the Empire of Japan
. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War II
, the Hawaiian Fighter Command was redesignated the 7th Fighter Command, and Bergquist remained its operations officer.
In June 1942, Bergquist traveled to New Caledonia to oversee air defense for the United States Armed Forces
on that island.
Following the creation of the United States Army Air Forces
in June 1942, Bergquist was assigned to the General Headquarters Air Force in Washington, D. C. in July 1942. There, he served in the operations section.
In 1944, he was posted to the 73d Air Division
in the Pacific Theater
, seeing duty during the Battle of Saipan
. He then served as operations officer of the 7th Fighter Command during the Battle of Iwo Jima
.
Bergquist returned to Army Air Force Headquarters in Washington in September 1945, becoming deputy to the assistant chief of staff for operations.
In July 1947, in the midst of the Greek Civil War
, Bergquist was posted to Athens
as a military
air attaché
. He returned to the United States in August 1949.
Bergquist then spent a year at the National War College
, and then in 1950, joined the headquarters of the Continental Air Command
at Mitchel Air Force Base
. During his time in Greece, the United States Army Air Forces had been superseded by the United States Air Force
, and Bergquist was now a member of the USAF. When the Air Defense Command was reestablished in January 1951, Bergquist became director of plans and requirements at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado
. In this capacity, he was responsible for planning the U.S.'s air defense system. From September 1951 until June 1955, he was deputy chief of staff for operations of the Air Defense Command. He then returned to Air Force headquarters in Washington, D. C., serving as director of operations for two years, and then as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations.
In June 1958, Bergquist was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base
as deputy commander (Air Research and Development Command). There, he was responsible for defense systems integration. In 1960, he became Commander of the Command and Control Development Division. When the Air Force Systems Command
and the Air Force Logistics Command
were established in April 1961, the organizations at Hanscom were consolidated and renamed the Electronic Systems Center
, with Bergquist as the ESC's first commander.
Bergquist became head of the Air Force Communications Service in February 1962.
He retired on July 1, 1965.
Bergquist died on August 4, 1993.
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 its predecessor, the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
, who ultimately attained the rank of Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
.
Biography
Kenneth P. Bergquist was born in Crookston, MinnesotaCrookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
in 1912. His family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
in 1928, and he graduated from Central High School
Central High School (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
Central High School is a public senior high school in the Grand Forks Public Schools district. It is located near the University of North Dakota. It has a main focus on athletics and is regionally renowned in ice hockey, golf and tennis.-Location:...
. He attended the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
for a year, before enrolling in the United States Military Academy
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 1931. Upon his graduation in 1935, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Bergquist began flight training
Flight training
Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills....
at Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
in 1935, and completed flight training at Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Air Force Base
Kelly Field Annex and is a former United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, the runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field Annex" and control of it was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio...
, receiving his pilot's wings
United States Aviator Badge
A United States Aviator Badge refers to three types of aviation badges issued by the United States military, those being for Army, Air Force, and Naval aviation....
in October 1936.
Bergquist's first posting was to Langley Air Force Base. In December 1937, he became assistant operations
Operations (military staff)
Military Operations is a concept and application of military science that involves planning the operations for the projected maneuvering forces's provisions, services, training, and administrative functions—to allow them to commence, insert, then egress from combat...
officer of the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley. He next became assistant operations officer of the 2nd Wing at General Headquarters Air Force, also at Langley.
After a promotion to First Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
, Bergquist was posted to the 18th Pursuit Group at Wheeler Army Airfield
Wheeler Army Airfield
Wheeler Army Airfield , also known as Wheeler Field and formerly as Wheeler Air Force Base, is a United States Army post located in the City & County of Honolulu and in the Wahiawa District of the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii...
in mid-1939. He was promoted to become the 18th Pursuit Group's operations and intelligence officer in June 1940. A year later, he became a Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and operations officer of the 14th Pursuit Wing (soon to be renamed the Hawaiian Interceptor Command). The Hawaiian Interceptor Command suffered heavy casualties during the December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
by the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Hawaiian Fighter Command was redesignated the 7th Fighter Command, and Bergquist remained its operations officer.
In June 1942, Bergquist traveled to New Caledonia to oversee air defense for the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
on that island.
Following the creation of the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
in June 1942, Bergquist was assigned to the General Headquarters Air Force in Washington, D. C. in July 1942. There, he served in the operations section.
In 1944, he was posted to the 73d Air Division
73d Air Division
The 73d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command, based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 1 April 1966.-World War II:...
in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
, seeing duty during the Battle of Saipan
Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
. He then served as operations officer of the 7th Fighter Command during the Battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
.
Bergquist returned to Army Air Force Headquarters in Washington in September 1945, becoming deputy to the assistant chief of staff for operations.
In July 1947, in the midst of the Greek Civil War
Greek Civil War
The Greek Civil War was fought from 1946 to 1949 between the Greek governmental army, backed by the United Kingdom and United States, and the Democratic Army of Greece , the military branch of the Greek Communist Party , backed by Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Albania...
, Bergquist was posted to Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
as a military
Military attaché
A military attaché is a military expert who is attached to a diplomatic mission . This post is normally filled by a high-ranking military officer who retains the commission while serving in an embassy...
air attaché
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
. He returned to the United States in August 1949.
Bergquist then spent a year at 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 then in 1950, joined the headquarters of the Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command
Continental Air Command was a Major Command of the United States Air Force responsible primarily for administering the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.-Lineage:...
at Mitchel Air Force Base
Mitchel Air Force Base
Decommissioned in 1961, Mitchel Field became a multi-use complex currently home to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.-Origins:...
. During his time in Greece, the United States Army Air Forces had been superseded by 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 Bergquist was now a member of the USAF. When the Air Defense Command was reestablished in January 1951, Bergquist became director of plans and requirements at its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. In this capacity, he was responsible for planning the U.S.'s air defense system. From September 1951 until June 1955, he was deputy chief of staff for operations of the Air Defense Command. He then returned to Air Force headquarters in Washington, D. C., serving as director of operations for two years, and then as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations.
In June 1958, Bergquist was assigned to Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base
Hanscom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southwest of Bedford, Massachusetts. The facility is a joint use civil airport/military base with Hanscom Field which provides general aviation and charter service.The host unit at Hanscom is the non-flying...
as deputy commander (Air Research and Development Command). There, he was responsible for defense systems integration. In 1960, he became Commander of the Command and Control Development Division. When the Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command
Air Force Systems Command is a former United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland...
and the Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command
Air Force Logistics Command was a United States Air Force command. Its headquarters was located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio...
were established in April 1961, the organizations at Hanscom were consolidated and renamed the Electronic Systems Center
Electronic Systems Center
Electronic Systems Center is a product center of Air Force Materiel Command headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Its mission is to develop and acquire command and control, communications, computer, and intelligence systems. ESC consists of professional teams specializing in...
, with Bergquist as the ESC's first commander.
Bergquist became head of the Air Force Communications Service in February 1962.
He retired on July 1, 1965.
Bergquist died on August 4, 1993.