Bernard P. Randolph

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Bernard P. Randolph
Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star

Bernard Peter Randolph (July 10, 1933 – January 4, 2021)^[2] was a United States Air Force General who served as the Commander of Air Force Systems Command (COMAFSC) from 1987 to 1990.

Early life and education

Randolph was born in 1933, in

in 1974.

Military career

His first assignment after completing aviation cadet training and undergraduate navigator training (UNT) at

flightcrews and while there, he was also a member of a select combat crew.

Randolph then attended graduate school at the University of North Dakota until July 1965 and then was assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Station, California, as Chief, On-orbit Operations, Space Systems Division. He next was assigned as Assistant Deputy Program Director for Launch and Orbital Operations, and was responsible for all payload operations.

From August 1968 to October 1969, Randolph concurrently attended

airlift sorties daily from Chu Lai and later coordinated the operations of all airlift control elements throughout the Republic of Vietnam.

Upon his return to the United States in November 1970, General Randolph was assigned to Air Force Systems Command headquarters as chief of command plans in test evaluation, and then as the executive officer to the deputy chief of staff for operations.

Randolph attended

as director, space systems planning, for the Space and Missile Systems Organization. In April 1975, he became deputy program director and, later, program director for the Air Force Satellite Communications System. He assumed responsibility for space defense systems at Space Division headquarters, Los Angeles Air Force Station, in March 1978. In this capacity he managed a program to design and develop the U.S. anti-satellite system with its supporting surveillance, command and control, and survivability aspects.

From July 1980 to September 1981, the general served as vice commander of the

, Georgia. He then became director of space systems and command, control and communications, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research, Development and Acquisition, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. General Randolph returned again to Los Angeles Air Force Station as vice commander and deputy commander for Space Systems Acquisition for Space Division in May 1983. In June 1984 he became vice commander of Air Force Systems Command. He returned to Air Force headquarters in May 1985 and served as deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition. He assumed his final command as commander, Air Force Systems Command, in July 1987.

Randolph was the second African-American to be promoted to 4-star rank in the Air Force and, as a master navigator, was the first USAF navigator to achieve 4-star rank and to command an Air Force Major command (MAJCOM).[3] He retired from active duty on March 31, 1990.

Death

Randolph died of complications from COVID-19 on January 4, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.^[4]

Awards

General Randolph's military decorations and awards include the

.

• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
• Legion of Merit
• Bronze Star
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal
• Air Force Presidential Unit Citation

He was promoted to general August 1, 1987, with same date of rank.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force

Links

• Official Biography