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    HomeAbout UsBiographiesDisplay      110406-F-JZ021-735.JPGEngage On
        
        110406-F-JZ021-735.JPGMAJOR GENERAL MARVIN S. ERVINMajor General Marvin S. Ervin is director of forces, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. 

General Ervin was born in 1940, in Hemingway, S.C., and graduated from Dillon (S.C.) High School. He earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from the University of South Carolina in 1963 and a master of arts degree in personnel counseling from Troy State University in 1973. The general completed Squadron Officer School in 1969, Air Command and Staff College as a distinguished graduate in 1975, and Air War College as a distinguished graduate in 1983. He also is a graduate of the University of Virginia's Advanced Management Program. 

The general entered the Air Force in September 1963 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He then attended flying training at Craig Air Force Base, Ala. Upon completion of training he was assigned to the 76th Air Transport Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., where he flew C-130Es. He later spent a year flying the C-130E with the 41st Military Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base. 

From May 1967 to May 1968 he served with the 29th Military Airlift Squadron, McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., where he flew C-130Es and was a simulator instructor with the 438th Military Airlift Wing. General Ervin then transferred to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, as part of a unit move that transferred C-130E's from the Military Airlift Command to the Tactical Air Command. He was in the initial cadre that formed the 348th Tactical Airlift Squadron and served as a wing flight examiner with the 514th Tactical Airlift Wing there. 

After attending Squadron Officer School, General Ervin departed Dyess Air Force Base for a Southeast Asia assignment. From May 1970 to May 1971 he was an MC-130 Combat Talon pilot flight examiner with the 1st Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam. Returning to the United States, the general served on the faculty of Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Prior to departing Maxwell, he earned a master's degree from Troy State University, and graduated from Air Command and Staff College. 

In June 1975 he became a special air mission pilot in the VC-140 with the 89th Military Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md. After instructor pilot duty with the 99th and 1st Military Airlift squadrons, he became the wing executive officer. He returned to Charleston Air Force Base in June 1979 as a C-141 pilot with the 41st Military Airlift Squadron. He then became chief of current operations, 437th Military Airlift Wing. In July 1981 he assumed command of the 76th Military Airlift Squadron. 

General Ervin attended Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, from August 1982 to June 1983, and then was assigned to the Air Staff in Washington, D.C. While at the Pentagon, he served as chief, Airlift and Rescue Division, Directorate of Operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Air Force headquarters. In June 1985 he was assigned as vice commander, 437th Military Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base.  

From June 1986 until July 1988 he was commander of the 63rd Military Airlift Wing, Norton Air Force Base, Calif. He then served as assistant deputy chief of staff for programs and resources, Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The general was assigned as deputy director of operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Air Force headquarters, in September 1989, and became director of operations in January 1992. He assumed his current position in August 1992. 

The general is a command pilot with more than 8,000 flying hours, including more than 600 combat hours, in the B-1, E-3, F-4, OV-10, F-15, F-16, C-20, C-21, T-29, C-130, MC-130, C-131, VC-140, C-141 and Jaguar GR-1. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" device, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with service star, Vietnam Service Medal with eight service stars, Humanitarian Service Medal with three devices, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

He was promoted to major general Oct. 1, 1991, with same date of rank. 

(Current as of September 1992)
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