Department of the United States Air Force LogoBiography
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            MAJOR GENERAL RALPH  H. JACOBSONMaj. Gen. Ralph H. Jacobson is assistant vice commander of the Space Division, Los Angeles Air Force Station, Calif.
General Jacobson was born in 1931, in Salt Lake City and grew up in Bountiful, Utah. He graduated from Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah, in 1950 and attended the University of Utah until 1952 when he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. General Jacobson graduated with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in 1956. He earned a master of science degree in astronautics from the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1962 and a second master of science degree in business administration from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., in 1966. He completed the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1966; Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., in 1974; and Naval War College at Newport, R.I., in 1976.
He entered pilot training at Malden Air Force Base, Mo., in July 1956 and received his wings at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in August 1957. He then served as a C-119 and C-123 pilot and aircraft commander in the 778th Troop Carrier Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C. He entered the astronautical engineering course at the Air Force Institute of Technology in September 1960. Following graduation in August 1962, he was assigned to the Ballistics Systems Division, Norton Air Force Base, Calif., as project officer for the inertial guidance system used on the Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile.
In July 1966 the general was assigned to the Directorate of Plans, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., where he served for three years as an action officer. He volunteered for service in Southeast Asia and from July 1969 to July 1970 he was assigned as wing operations staff officer with the 14th Special Operations Wing at Nha Trang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, where he flew 299 sorties in UC-123K's.
General Jacobson was then assigned to the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects, Los Angeles Air Force Station. He served successively as a research and development project officer, division chief and deputy director for research. Following graduation from the Naval War College, he returned to Los Angeles Air Force Station as commander of the Air Force Satellite Control Facility. In March 1979 he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development and Acquisition at Air Force headquarters, initially as assistant deputy chief of staff for space shuttle development and operations. In June 1980 he was named director of space systems and command, control and communications. He assumed his present duties in January 1983.
The general is a command pilot with 3,800 flying hours in C-119s, C-123s, C-131s and U-3s. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He wears the Master Missile Badge.
He was promoted to major general April 1, 1983, with date of rank July 1, 1979.
(Current as of June 1986)Department of the Air Force Logo