John F. Gonge

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John F. Gonge
63d Military Airlift Wing

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Disitnguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Order of the Sword

John F. Gonge (born November 5, 1921) is a former lieutenant general in the United States Air Force. He was served as vice commander-in-chief of the Military Airlift Command from 1975 to 1977.[1]

Biography

General Gonge was born in 1921, in

Lubbock Army Air Field
, Texas, where he received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant in December 1943. He completed his multiengine training in March 1944.

During World War II, he flew the

Biggs Field
, Texas.

A career transport pilot, General Gonge has remained with airlift forces through

Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. In October 1948, he was transferred to the Flying Division, Air Training Command, and later became protocol officer for the 3510th Basic Pilot Training Wing, both at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. He returned to Kelly Air Force Base in February 1950 as aide to the commander, Continental Division, Military Air Transport Service
.

In May 1953, General Gonge went to

Philippine Islands, in July 1958, and was assigned as commander of the 1506th Support Squadron
.

In July 1960, he was transferred to Headquarters Western Transport Air Force (redesignated

22d Air Force) at Travis Air Force Base, California, where he served first as chief, Program Division and later as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans and manpower. In July 1963, General Gonge was transferred to Scott Air Force Base
, Illinois, and became deputy assistant chief of staff, Military Air Transport Service.

He attended the National War College, Washington, D.C., from August 1965 to June 1966. He next was assigned to the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as chief, Resources Capability Branch, Office of the Special Assistant for Strategic Mobility; then as chief of the Short and Mid-Range Branch; and later as chief of the Policy Branch, Plans Division.

In July 1969, he returned to Travis Air Force Base as vice commander of the

21st Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base
, New Jersey, in March 1971. He commanded the 22d Air Force at Travis Air Force Base from August 1972 to August 1975, when he became vice commander of the Military Airlift Command. On Feb. 1, 1977, when MAC was designated as a specified command, General Gonge's position title was changed to vice commander in chief, MAC. General Gonge retired on 1977.

He is a command pilot with more than 13,000 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the

Distinguished Unit Citation
Emblem.

He turned 100 in November 2021.[2]

References

  1. ISBN 9781563110290
    .
  2. ^ "Air Force, Travis Credit Union to celebrate Lt. Gen. John F. Gonge's 100th birthday". Daily Republic. Retrieved January 7, 2022.

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

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