Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg Jr. (born August 12, 1928) is a retired major general in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

Early life and education

Vandenberg was born in

Riverside, California Riverside is a city in and the county seat of Riverside County, California, United States. It is named for its location beside the Santa Ana River. As of the 2020 census, the city has a population of 314,998. It is the most populous city in th ...

, on August 12, 1928, to Dutch parents. His father was General Hoyt Vandenberg and his great uncle was U.S. Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg. Vandenberg obtained a

Master of Science A Master of Science (; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree. In contrast to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medici ...

degree in

international relations International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...

from

George Washington University The George Washington University (GW or GWU) is a Private university, private University charter#Federal, federally-chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Originally named Columbian College, it was chartered in 1821 by ...

in 1969.

Military career

Vandenberg graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1951 (where Buzz Aldrin was one of his classmates). In 1953, Vandenberg was assigned to the 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Later he would serve as a flight commander with the 413th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1961, after which he was assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1963, Vandenberg was appointed operations officer with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. During the

Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...

, Vandenberg commanded the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Upon returning stateside he was assigned to

The Pentagon The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense, in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The building was constructed on an accelerated schedule during World War II. As ...

to work in the Office of the Director of Plans. He would graduate from the National War College in 1969 and return to The Pentagon to work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1971, Vandenberg became commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing. Vandenberg was named Vice Commandant of Cadets at the

United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is a United States service academies, United States service academy in Air Force Academy, Colorado, Air Force Academy Colorado, immediately north of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Colorado Springs. I ...

in 1972. He would serve as Commandant from 1973 to 1975, during which time he assumed the rank of brigadier general. From 1976 to 1979, Vandenberg served at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, first as Deputy Director of Plans, later as Director of Operations and Readiness, and finally as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Readiness. Vandenberg was ultimately named Vice Commander in Chief of the Pacific Air Forces. His retirement was effective as of January 1, 1981.

Awards and decorations

Inducted in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio.

Meeting Charles Lindbergh

In an interview with journalist David Leighton, published in the '' Arizona Daily Star'' newspaper, on May 27, 2014, Vandenberg shared this story about meeting well-known aviator Charles Lindbergh:

References

External links

David Leighton, "Street Smarts: Retired Tucsonan a decorated fighter pilot, leader in the Air Force," Arizona Daily Star, May 27,2014
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vandenberg, Hoyt S. People from Riverside, California United States Air Force generals Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Legion of Merit Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Medal American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War George Washington University alumni United States Military Academy alumni Elliott School of International Affairs alumni 1928 births Living people Military personnel from California