Raymond J. Reeves
Encyclopedia
General Raymond Judson Reeves (February 5, 1909 – November 16, 1998) was a United States Air Force four star general who served as Commander in Chief, North American Air Defense Command/Commander in Chief, Continental Air Defense Command (CINCNORAD/CINCONAD) from 1966 to 1969.
Reeves was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee
, in 1909. He moved to Washington, D.C., at an early age where he attended grammar and high school. After two years at the University of Maryland
he entered the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York. He graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1934.
He entered flying training the same year and received his pilot wings in October 1935 at Kelly Field, Texas. In February 1936 he was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, Philippine Islands. Two and a half years later he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Air Corps Technical School at Lowry Field, Colorado.
At the beginning of World War II, he was assigned as director of training, Army Air Forces Technical School, Gulfport Field, Mississippi. Later Reeves served as director of training, then commanding officer of the Army Air Forces Technical School at Yale University
. Under his command, the school graduated more than 14,000 officers specifically trained in aircraft maintenance, engineering, air and ground communications, aircraft armament and aerial intelligence photography.
In 1945 he was assigned to the Far East Command as chief of the Redeployment Section, later becoming assistant chief of Air Staff for Supply. During his Far East Air Forces tour of duty he also served as deputy commanding officer, 13th Fighter Command; chief of staff, 85th Fighter Wing; and as commander, Fort William McKinley
.
Following duty assignments at U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Reeves was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Wiesbaden
, Germany, as assistant chief of staff for personnel. During this time USAFE was helping to reinforce the North Atlantic Treaty Organization through a buildup of U.S. Air Force units in Europe. He was responsible for manning combat and support units, as well as for personnel policies for a command of more than 100,000 people in more than 15 countries of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Returning to U.S. Air Force headquarters in 1954, he was assigned as director of military personnel under the deputy chief of staff, personnel. In July 1959 he became vice commander of the Military Air Transport Service
with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base
, Illinois, and in August 1963 he became commander in chief, Alaskan Command
with additional duty as commander, Alaskan NORAD Region.
In August 1966 Reeves was appointed commander in chief of NORAD/CONAD, with headquarters at Ent Air Force Base
, Colorado.
His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster.
He retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1969 and died November 16, 1998.
Reeves was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, in 1909. He moved to Washington, D.C., at an early age where he attended grammar and high school. After two years at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
he entered the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at West Point, New York. He graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1934.
He entered flying training the same year and received his pilot wings in October 1935 at Kelly Field, Texas. In February 1936 he was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, Philippine Islands. Two and a half years later he returned to the United States and was assigned to the Air Corps Technical School at Lowry Field, Colorado.
At the beginning of World War II, he was assigned as director of training, Army Air Forces Technical School, Gulfport Field, Mississippi. Later Reeves served as director of training, then commanding officer of the Army Air Forces Technical School at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. Under his command, the school graduated more than 14,000 officers specifically trained in aircraft maintenance, engineering, air and ground communications, aircraft armament and aerial intelligence photography.
In 1945 he was assigned to the Far East Command as chief of the Redeployment Section, later becoming assistant chief of Air Staff for Supply. During his Far East Air Forces tour of duty he also served as deputy commanding officer, 13th Fighter Command; chief of staff, 85th Fighter Wing; and as commander, Fort William McKinley
Fort William McKinley
Fort William McKinley, was established in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War in 1901 when the whole land south of Pasig River down to Alabang was declared a U.S. Military Reservation. During the World War II era, it was where USAFFE had its headquarters for the Philippine Department...
.
Following duty assignments at U.S. Air Force Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Reeves was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. It has about 275,400 inhabitants, plus approximately 10,000 United States citizens...
, Germany, as assistant chief of staff for personnel. During this time USAFE was helping to reinforce the North Atlantic Treaty Organization through a buildup of U.S. Air Force units in Europe. He was responsible for manning combat and support units, as well as for personnel policies for a command of more than 100,000 people in more than 15 countries of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Returning to U.S. Air Force headquarters in 1954, he was assigned as director of military personnel under the deputy chief of staff, personnel. In July 1959 he became vice commander of the Military Air Transport Service
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...
with headquarters at Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
, Illinois, and in August 1963 he became commander in chief, Alaskan Command
Alaskan Command
The Alaskan Command is a regional military command of the United States Armed Forces focusing on the state of Alaska. A sub-unified command of the United States Pacific Command, Alaskan Command is charged with maintaining air sovereignty, deploying forces for worldwide contingencies as directed by...
with additional duty as commander, Alaskan NORAD Region.
In August 1966 Reeves was appointed commander in chief of NORAD/CONAD, with headquarters at Ent Air Force Base
Ent Air Force Base
Ent Air Force Base was a United States Air Force facility opened in 1951 on the site of a closed sanatorium in conjunction with the move of the United States Air Force's Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command , to Colorado Springs, Colorado...
, Colorado.
His military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster.
He retired from the Air Force on July 31, 1969 and died November 16, 1998.