Nicholas Kehoe
Encyclopedia
Nicholas B. Kehoe is a retired United States Air Force
lieutenant general who served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War
. His last active duty assignment was as the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. After over 34 years of military service, LtGen Kehoe continued in public service as the Assistant Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As of March 1, 2003, he became the President and CEO
of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
with a Bachelor of Science
degree. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 8, 1966.
Kehoe is a command pilot with over 3,600 hours of flight hours in T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15 and other aircraft. During the Vietnam War, he served two combat tours, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 28 Air Medals.
In September 1998, LtGen Kehoe became the inspector general, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon
, Washington, D.C. — overseeing Air Force inspection policy; criminal investigations; counterintelligence operations; the complaints and fraud, waste and abuse programs; intelligence oversight and two field operating agencies, the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
LtGen Kehoe retired from the Air Force on October 1, 2000 after over 34 years of service
with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross
with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal
with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal
with 27 oak leaf clusters, an Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and a Vietnam Service Medal
.
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...
lieutenant general who served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. His last active duty assignment was as the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. After over 34 years of military service, LtGen Kehoe continued in public service as the Assistant Inspector General in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As of March 1, 2003, he became the President and CEO
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Air Force career
In 1966, Kehoe graduated from the United States Air Force AcademyUnited 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...
with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 8, 1966.
Kehoe is a command pilot with over 3,600 hours of flight hours in T-37, T-38, F-4, F-15 and other aircraft. During the Vietnam War, he served two combat tours, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 28 Air Medals.
In September 1998, LtGen Kehoe became the inspector general, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
, Washington, D.C. — overseeing Air Force inspection policy; criminal investigations; counterintelligence operations; the complaints and fraud, waste and abuse programs; intelligence oversight and two field operating agencies, the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
LtGen Kehoe retired from the Air Force on October 1, 2000 after over 34 years of service
Summary of assignments
- September 1966 - September 1967, student, undergraduate pilot training, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
- September 1967 - June 1968, student, F-4 combat crew training, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and George Air Force Base, California
- June 1968 - June 1969, F-4 pilot, 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udon Royal Thai Air Force BaseUdon Thani International AirportUdonthani International Airport is an airport located near the city of Udon Thani in Udon Thani Province in the northeast region of Thailand. It is approximately 280 miles northeast of Bangkok...
, Thailand - June 1969 - February 1970, F-4 upgrade training, George Air Force Base, California
- February 1970 - March 1971, F-4 pilot, 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam
- March 1971 - December 1973, T-38 instructor pilot and assistant chief, Wing Operations Division, Williams Air Force Base, Arizona
- December 1973 - December 1976, staff officer and chief, Airspace and Air Traffic Control Division, Directorate of Training, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- December 1976 - December 1978, chief of training, 86th Tactical Fighter Group, and operations officer, 512th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, West Germany
- December 1978 - June 1979, student, Royal Air Force Air War College, Royal Air Force Cranwell, England
- June 1979 - August 1981, senior U.S. Air Force adviser to British Joint Warfare Wing, National Defense College, Latimer, England
- August 1981 - September 1983, director of social actions, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
- September 1983 - January 1986, deputy commander for operations and vice commander, 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
- January 1986 - October 1986, director of inspection, Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia
- October 1986 - August 1988, vice commander and commander, 12th Flying Training Wing, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- August 1988 - May 1990, assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and requirements, Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- May 1990 - July 1992, deputy director for regional plans and policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Headquarters U. S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
- July 1992 - October 1994, assistant chief of staff for operations and logistics, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium
- October 1994 - November 1995, commander, 19th Air Force, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
- November 1995 - September 1998, deputy chairman, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee, Headquarters NATO, Brussels, Belgium
- September 1998 - October 2000, inspector general, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Promotion record
- Second Lieutenant Jun 8, 1966
- First Lieutenant Dec 8, 1967
- Captain Jun 1, 1969
- MajorMajor (United States)In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
Mar 1, 1975 - Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant Colonel (United States)In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Apr 1, 1978 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Sept 1, 1982 - Brigadier GeneralBrigadier general (United States)A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Jun 1, 1990 - Major GeneralMajor 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...
Dec 1, 1992 - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant General (United States)In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
Oct 31, 1995
Awards and decorations
LtGen Kehoe's military awards and decoration include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of MeritLegion of Merit
The 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 oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The 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 27 oak leaf clusters, an Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and a Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The 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...
.
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...
with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
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 oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
with three 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 twenty seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
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...