Richard C. Sanders
Encyclopedia
Richard Condie Sanders was the youngest general officer
in Air Force history. Born in 1915, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah
in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was appointed a second lieutenant, Field Artillery
Reserve, Sept. 4, 1936, while still in college. He served on extended active duty from July 28, 1937, to June 30, 1938, and from July 5, 1938, to Sept. 30, 1938. He then enlisted as a flying cadet on Oct. 4, 1938, and upon completion of his training was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on Aug. 25, 1939. He was called to active duty the next day and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Corps
, Regular Army, on July 1, 1940.
, Wash., serving with the 10th Field Artillery as battalion reconnaissance and supply officer. He was with the 5th Infantry Brigade on Civilian Conservation Corps
duty at Camp Soda Springs, Yakima, Wash., from July to September 1938, when he began his primary flying training at Randolph Field, Texas. Upon graduation from the Air Corps Primary Flying School, he went to Kelly Field, Texas, for advanced training, and upon graduation from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in September 1939, was assigned to Mitchell Field, Long Island, N.Y., as assistant squadron adjutant, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron. He later served at Langley Field, Va., and Greenville Army Air Base, S.C., with the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron as intelligence and engineering officer. In February 1942, he was assigned to the Tenth Air Force at Patterson Field, Ohio, and Fort Myers, Florida
.
He was assigned to the IX Bomber Command in August 1942, and served overseas in the North African and European Theater of Operations as executive officer of a Bombardment Group, chief of staff, XX Bomber Command
, and in November 1943, became commanding officer of a bombardment group. In January 1944, he was named administrative officer of the IX Bomber Command in the European Theater of Operations, promoted to Brigadier General
June 1944 (age 28), and in November 1944, was announced as chief of staff of the IX Bomber Command which was then serving in France. In August 1945, he became commanding general of the 99th Bomber Group
in Germany and three months later, was assigned to Headquarters Air Forces Personnel Distribution Command, Louisville, Ky. In March 1946, he was announced as commanding that installation. He retired July 1, 1950.
in January 1943, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Middle East Theater. He was awarded an oak leaf cluster to this decoration in May 1943.
In January 1943, he was given the Air Medal
and won two oak leaf clusters for this award in January 1944. In January 1946, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
.
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
in Air Force history. Born in 1915, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from 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...
in 1937 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was appointed a second lieutenant, Field Artillery
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
Reserve, Sept. 4, 1936, while still in college. He served on extended active duty from July 28, 1937, to June 30, 1938, and from July 5, 1938, to Sept. 30, 1938. He then enlisted as a flying cadet on Oct. 4, 1938, and upon completion of his training was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on Aug. 25, 1939. He was called to active duty the next day and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
, Regular Army, on July 1, 1940.
Service
In July 1937, he was ordered to Fort LewisFort Lewis
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a United States military facility located south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington. The facility is under the jurisdiction of the United States Army Joint Base Garrison, Joint Base Lewis-McChord....
, Wash., serving with the 10th Field Artillery as battalion reconnaissance and supply officer. He was with the 5th Infantry Brigade on Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
duty at Camp Soda Springs, Yakima, Wash., from July to September 1938, when he began his primary flying training at Randolph Field, Texas. Upon graduation from the Air Corps Primary Flying School, he went to Kelly Field, Texas, for advanced training, and upon graduation from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in September 1939, was assigned to Mitchell Field, Long Island, N.Y., as assistant squadron adjutant, 18th Reconnaissance Squadron. He later served at Langley Field, Va., and Greenville Army Air Base, S.C., with the 18th Reconnaissance Squadron as intelligence and engineering officer. In February 1942, he was assigned to the Tenth Air Force at Patterson Field, Ohio, and Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
.
He was assigned to the IX Bomber Command in August 1942, and served overseas in the North African and European Theater of Operations as executive officer of a Bombardment Group, chief of staff, XX Bomber Command
XX Bomber Command
The XX Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Far East Air Forces, based on Okinawa. It was inactivated on July 16, 1945.- History:...
, and in November 1943, became commanding officer of a bombardment group. In January 1944, he was named administrative officer of the IX Bomber Command in the European Theater of Operations, promoted to Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
June 1944 (age 28), and in November 1944, was announced as chief of staff of the IX Bomber Command which was then serving in France. In August 1945, he became commanding general of the 99th Bomber Group
99th Air Base Wing
The 99th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command United States Air Force Warfare Center. It is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada...
in Germany and three months later, was assigned to Headquarters Air Forces Personnel Distribution Command, Louisville, Ky. In March 1946, he was announced as commanding that installation. He retired July 1, 1950.
Decorations
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished 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...
in January 1943, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Middle East Theater. He was awarded an oak leaf cluster to this decoration in May 1943.
In January 1943, he was given 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:...
and won two oak leaf clusters for this award in January 1944. In January 1946, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
.