William P. Acker
William P. Acker | |
---|---|
432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing U.S. Military Enlistment Processing Command Air Training Command Third Air Force | |
Battles/wars | Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | See below |
Major General William Preston Acker (October 22, 1930 – July 24, 2018) was a major general in the United States Air Force and educator.[1][2]
Biography
Acker was born in
advanced management Program in 1973.Career
In June 1952 the General entered pilot training at
He transferred to
After completing the Armed Forces Staff College in September 1967, he moved to Southeast Asia as flight commander and operations officer with the
His next assignment was as chief of the Tactical Training and Standardization Branch at Headquarters
In August 1970 he returned to the United States to enter the Air War College. Graduating in May 1971, he became chief of the Officer Management Division, Directorate of Personnel Resources, Air Force Military Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. After attending Harvard University's six-week advanced management program in June 1973, General Acker was appointed vice commander of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Returning to Thailand in March 1974, he assumed command of the
From March 1976 to February 1978, he was deputy commanding general, U.S. Military Enlistment Processing Command, Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He then became commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service and deputy chief of staff, recruiting, Headquarters Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base. In March 1979 General Acker took command of the Air Force Military Training Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and in July 1981 returned to Randolph Air Force Base, as vice commander of Air Training Command. Acker assumed command of the Third Air Force in 1983 before retiring in 1985. Following is retirement from the Air Force he served as the 19th President of Georgia Military College from 1985–1992.
Flight information
- Rating: Command pilot
- Flight hours: 5,000 hours
- Aircraft flown: F-84, F-100, F-4
- Pilot wings from: Bartow Air Force Base, Florida
Awards and decorations
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge |
Personal decorations | |
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
| |
Defense Superior Service Medal | |
Legion of Merit | |
Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Meritorious Service Medal | |
Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters | |
Air Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster | |
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
| |
Service awards | |
Combat Readiness Medal | |
Campaign and service medals | |
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star | |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | |
Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars | |
Service, training, and marksmanship awards | |
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
| |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
| |
Foreign awards | |
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
| |
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
| |
Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Effective dates of promotion
Insignia | Rank | Date |
---|---|---|
Major general | July 1, 1975 |