Charles J. Adams
Encyclopedia
Charles J. Adams was a Brigadier General
in the United States Air Force
.
in 1921. He attended the University of Utah
and the University of Nebraska at Omaha
.
Adams died on May 28, 2002.
in 1942. He was commissioned an officer the following year. After receiving his commission, he served as a flying instructor at Walnut Ridge Army Airfield
until 1944, when he was transferred to the 5th Fighter Squadron
. During his time with the 5th, he served in the China Burma India Theater of World War II
.
Following the war, Adams was assigned to Kelly Field before joining the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition
. With the expedition, he would help to chart the Antarctic
coastline. He would also transfer to the Air Force after its inception.
During the Korean War
, Adams was assigned to the 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
piloting a North American B-45 Tornado. He returned with the squadron to the United States
as a Boeing B-47 Stratojet commander and was later named Deputy Director of Operations of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
In 1955, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command
, and in 1958, entered the field of missiles and would help to establish Vandenberg Air Force Base
. At Vandenberg, Adams would train crews in the SM-65 Atlas.
From 1962 to 1967, Adams was assigned to The Pentagon
, including serving for a time as Chief, Strategic Division, Directorate of Studies and Analysis in the Officer of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He later assumed command of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing
and the 821st Strategic Aerospace Division
before returning to The Pentagon in 1971, at which time he was named Deputy Director for Strategic Forces in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff.
His retirement was effective as of February 1, 1973.
Awards he received include the Legion of Merit
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Air Medal
, the Air Force Commendation Medal
, the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
Biography
Adams was born in Sanpete County, UtahSanpete County, Utah
Sanpete County is a county located in the U.S. state of Utah. The population according to the 2010 U.S. Census was 27,822. It was possibly named for a Ute Indian chief named Sanpitch, which was corrupted to Sanpete. Its county seat is Manti and its largest city is Ephraim.-Geography:According to...
in 1921. He attended the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
and the University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
.
Adams died on May 28, 2002.
Career
Adams originally enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1942. He was commissioned an officer the following year. After receiving his commission, he served as a flying instructor at Walnut Ridge Army Airfield
Marine Corps Air Facility Walnut Ridge
Marine Corps Air Facility Walnut Ridge is a former United States Army and United States Marine Corps airfield located in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. After it was closed, it was redeveloped into Walnut Ridge Regional Airport.-Army Airfield:...
until 1944, when he was transferred to the 5th Fighter Squadron
5th Flying Training Squadron
The 5th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates T-1 Jayhawk aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
. During his time with the 5th, he served in the China Burma India Theater of World War II
China Burma India Theater of World War II
China Burma India Theater was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjunction with British and Chinese Allied air and land forces in China, Burma, and India during World War II...
.
Following the war, Adams was assigned to Kelly Field before joining the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition
Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition
The Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition was an expedition from 1947-1948 which researched the area surrounding the head of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica.-Background:...
. With the expedition, he would help to chart the Antarctic
Antarctic
The Antarctic is the region around the Earth's South Pole, opposite the Arctic region around the North Pole. The Antarctic comprises the continent of Antarctica and the ice shelves, waters and island territories in the Southern Ocean situated south of the Antarctic Convergence...
coastline. He would also transfer to the Air Force after its inception.
During the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Adams was assigned to the 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
The 322d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, stationed at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio...
piloting a North American B-45 Tornado. He returned with the squadron to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as a Boeing B-47 Stratojet commander and was later named Deputy Director of Operations of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
In 1955, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
, and in 1958, entered the field of missiles and would help to establish Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
. At Vandenberg, Adams would train crews in the SM-65 Atlas.
From 1962 to 1967, Adams was assigned to The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
, including serving for a time as Chief, Strategic Division, Directorate of Studies and Analysis in the Officer of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He later assumed command of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing
44th Missile Wing
The 44th Missile Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Twentieth Air Force, being assigned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. It was deactivated on 4 July 1994....
and the 821st Strategic Aerospace Division
821st Strategic Aerospace Division
The 821st Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota...
before returning to The Pentagon in 1971, at which time he was named Deputy Director for Strategic Forces in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff.
His retirement was effective as of February 1, 1973.
Awards he received include the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, the Air Force Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
, the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.