James B . Davis ( general ) General James Burr Davis ( born November 14 , 1935 ) was a U . S . Air Force general and was chief of staff , Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons , Belgium . Biography . Early life and qualifications . General Davis was born in Wayne , Nebraska , in 1935 , where he attended Wayne City High School and Wayne State College . He earned a bachelor ' s degree in military science from the U . S . Naval Academy in 1958 and a master ' s degree in public administration from Auburn University in 1976 . He completed Armed Forces Staff College in 1971 and Air War College as a distinguished graduate in 1976 . Early flight experience . The general completed pilot training at Bartow Air Force Base , Florida , and Greenville Air Force Base , Mississippi . After receiving wings in 1959 , he was assigned as a KC - 97 Stratotanker pilot with the 4050th Air Refueling Wing , Westover Air Force Base , Massachusetts . In December 1964 he was assigned to Headquarters 8th Air Force , Westover . In July 1966 he moved to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . , as an action officer in the Special Actions Branch . He transferred in June 1967 to George Air Force Base , California for F - 4 Phantom II replacement training . Vietnam . In January 1968 the general was assigned to the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron , Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand , serving as a combat pilot and assistant operations officer . By September 1968 he had flown 100 combat missions over North Vietnam . In October 1968 he was selected as aide to the commander in chief , U . S . Air Forces in Europe , Lindsey Air Station , West Germany . Three months later , when the commander in chief was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium , General Davis also moved and became the aide to the chief of staff there . Staff college . After graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College in June 1971 , he transferred to the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas . During this tour of duty , he served as chief , Special Category Manning Section , then deputy chief and , later , chief of the Rated Career Management Branch . In June 1976 he graduated from the Air War College and was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing , Hill Air Force Base , Utah , first as assistant deputy commander for operations , then as deputy commander for operations and , later , as vice commander . Commands . From May 1979 to June 1980 he commanded the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing , Nellis Air Force Base , Nevada . General Davis then transferred to Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , and served as Tactical Air Command ' s deputy chief of staff for personnel . In September 1982 he was assigned as director of personnel programs in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Manpower and Personnel , Air Force headquarters . The general became assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel , Air Force headquarters , and commander , Air Force Military Personnel Center , in September 1984 . He then served as deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence , Headquarters Pacific Air Forces , Hickam Air Force Base , Hawaii , from August 1986 until August 1987 , when he became vice commander in chief , Pacific Air Forces . From January 1988 until July 1991 he was commander of U . S . Forces Japan , and 5th Air Force , Yokota Air Base , Japan . Additionally , from November 5 , 1990 , until February 18 , 1991 , General Davis concurrently served as commander , Pacific Air Forces . He assumed final position in July 1991 . Honors . The general was a command pilot with more than 4 , 500 flying hours , including 270 combat hours . His military awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal , Air Force Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters , Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters , Presidential Unit Citation , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with " V " device and two oak leaf clusters , National Defense Service Medal with two service stars , Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal , Vietnam Service Medal with silver service star , Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Short , Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long , Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with eight oak leaf clusters , Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon , Air Force Training Ribbon , Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal . He also has received the Order of National Security Merit , Gouges Medal - South Korea , Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure - Japan , and Award of Knight Grand Cross with Sash - Thailand . Additionally , he has been inducted into the Order of the Sword , which is the highest honor noncommissioned officers can bestow . Retirement . He was promoted to general on July 24 , 1991 , with same date of rank , and retired from the Air Force on August 1 , 1993 .