Walter T . Galligan Lieutenant General Walter Turbush Galligan ( March 14 , 1925 – December 22 , 2010 ) was an American Air Force lieutenant general who was commander of U . S . Forces Japan , and Fifth Air Force , with headquarters at Yokota Air Base , Japan . As commander of U . S . Forces , Japan , he was the senior U . S . military representative in Japan . As commander of Fifth Air Force , he was responsible for the conduct of U . S . air operations in Japan and the Republic of Korea . Biography . Galligan was born in 1925 , in Bronx , New York , where he graduated from St . Michael ' s Academy in 1942 . He graduated from the U . S . Military Academy , West Point , N . Y . , in 1945 with a bachelor of science degree , his pilot wings , and commission as second lieutenant . Later that same year , he qualified as a pilot in B - 17 and B - 25 aircraft and in 1946 , completed Junior Staff Officer Course . In March 1946 he went to Tullin Air Base , Vienna , Austria , where he became the legal officer and base adjutant . During the Berlin airlift , 1948 – 1949 , Galligan piloted C - 47 aircraft between Wiesbaden Air Base , Germany , and Tempelhof Airport , Berlin . Galligan returned to the United States in March 1949 and served as squadron adjutant in the 78th Fighter Wing , Hamilton Air Force Base , California , for five months . He then became a student at the Central Instructors School at Vance Air Force Base , Oklahoma , where from August 1949 to August 1951 he served as an instructor in T - 6 , T - 28 and B - 25 aircraft . In August 1951 he entered the U . S . Air Force Institute of Technology Program at Wright - Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio , where he received his master of science degree in industrial administration in 1953 . He completed transition training in B - 29 aircraft at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , in October 1953 . He then transferred to Schilling Air Force Base , Kansas , as a B - 29 aircraft commander with the 40th Bombardment Wing ; became a B - 47 aircraft commander in 1954 ; and moved with the wing to Forbes Air Force Base , Kan . , in 1961 as the assistant deputy commander for operations . Following graduation from the Armed Forces Staff College , Norfolk , Virginia , in February 1963 , Galligan was assigned to the Office of Legislative Liaison , Office of the Secretary of the Air Force , as assistant for program control and administration and later was deputy chief , Congressional Investigation Division . In 1965 he completed the executive advanced management program at Harvard University , Mass . , and from August 1966 to July 1967 , attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces , Washington , D . C . He next served as vice commander of the 401st Tactical Fighter Wing , Torrejon Air Base , Spain . In August 1968 he went to Lindsey Air Station , Germany , as the director of operations , U . S . Air Forces in Europe . In August 1969 he transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as commander of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base . In June 1970 he was assigned to Headquarters Seventh Air Force , Tan Son Nhut Air Base , as director of the Tactical Air Control Center and in October 1970 became director of combat operations . Galligan assumed the duties of commandant of cadets , United States Air Force Academy , Colorado , in February 1971 . He was assigned as commander of the U . S . Air Force Security Service in February 1973 . He assumed duties as commander of U . S . Forces , Japan , and Fifth Air Force in May 1974 . His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster , Meritorious Service Medal , Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters , Army Commendation Medal , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with " V " device , Combat Readiness Medal , and the Medal for Humane Action . He was awarded by the Republic of Vietnam , the Air Force Distinguished Service Order , First Class , and the Military Cross of Gallantry with palm . He is a command pilot . He was promoted to the grade of lieutenant general effective May 8 , 1974 , with same date of rank . He died in 2010 .