William L. Kirk

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William L. Kirk
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (5)
Bronze Star Medal

William Leslie Kirk (July 11, 1932 – April 26, 2017) was a

United States Air Forces in Europe/Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE) from 1987 to 1989.[1][2]

Kirk was born in 1932, in

Air War College
in 1971.

He enlisted in the USAF in 1951 and became an aviation cadet in February 1953. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's wings in April 1954.

After completing pilot training at

Johnson Air Base
, Japan, in June 1957.

Kirk returned to the United States in November 1957 and again was assigned to the 17th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. From September 1960 to June 1964 he served, first, as pilot, then as Assistant Flight Commander, and finally as flight commander with the

F-4 Phantom II
replacement training unit.

In June 1966 he completed the F-4

Eglin AFB
, Florida. He assumed command of the 4538th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB in January 1969.

After completing the Air War College in June 1971, General Kirk was assigned as chief of the Tactics Branch and, later, as deputy chief of the Tactical Division, Directorate of Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C. where he was credited with developing the

49th Tactical Fighter Wing
.

He then served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters

United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, in July 1982. He became commander of 9th Air Force in July 1985. He assumed his final position as CINCUSAFE/COMAAFCE in April 1987. He retired from the USAF on April 12, 1989[2] and died on April 26, 2017.[6][7]

Flight Information

  • Rating:
    Command pilot
  • Flight hours: More than 6,000
  • Aircraft flown:
    F-16 Fighting Falcon

Major awards and decorations

US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges
 Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Width-44 scarlet ribbon with width-4 ultramarine blue stripe at center, surrounded by width-1 white stripes. Width-1 white stripes are at the edges. Bronze Star Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Medal with two silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award
with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

  1. ^ "General William L. Kirk".
  2. ^ a b Snyder, Thomas; Shaw, Shelia (January 28, 1992). "Profiles In Leadership 1942-1992". Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 230–237. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Marquis Who's Who on the Web
  4. ^ "Maj. William L. Kirk, 433rd TFS Mig Killer".
  5. ^ "GoE Foundation :: Eagles". goefoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2016-09-04.
  6. ^ "'A very dear and trusted friend'".
  7. ^ "William Kirk Obituary (1932 - 2017) - Niceville, FL - Northwest Florida Daily News". Legacy.com.

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

See also

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