Theodore S . Coberly Brigadier General Theodore Simpson Coberly ( February 18 , 1921 – March 26 , 2011 ) was an American air force brigadier general who was director of reconnaissance and electronic warfare , deputy chief of staff , research and development , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . Biography . Coberly was born at Morgantown , West Virginia , in 1921 , the son of James G . B . Coberly and Edith Simpson Coberly . He attended Alderson - Broaddus College at Philippi , W . Va . , and graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor of science degree in 1959 . He entered active military service as an aviation cadet in the U . S . Army Air Corps in August 1942 . In June 1943 he received his pilot wings and commission as second lieutenant . During World War II , he served primarily as an instructor at the Advanced Instructors School at Foster Field , Texas , and director , gunnery training at Matagorda Island , Texas . In March 1946 he was assigned to the Far East Air Material Command and in June 1947 was transferred to the 36th Fighter Squadron , 8th Fighter Group , in Japan . In July 1948 he returned to the United States and was assigned to administrative positions with the 1st Air Base Group , March Air Force Base , Calif . , and in August 1950 was transferred to the 1st Fighter Group at George Air Force Base , Calif . During the Korean War from December 1951 to June 1952 , Coberly served with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Korea and became squadron commander . He returned to the United States and from October 1952 to August 1955 held various positions with Sacramento Air Materiel Area headquarters at McClellan Air Force Base , Calif . , and Headquarters Western Air Procurement District , Los Angeles , Calif . In August 1955 he entered the Air Command and Staff College , Maxwell Air Force Base , Ala . In July 1956 Coberly was assigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force in Washington , D . C . , where he served in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Materiel , as project officer in the Weapons Systems Division . He entered the Air War College in August 1960 . After graduation in July 1961 , he went to Wright - Patterson Air Force Base and served with Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Division , Air Force Systems Command , as deputy director for operations ; then as systems program director , F - 105 ; and lastly as systems program director . Coberly went to England in July 1966 and was assigned as vice commander , 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing , Royal Air Force , Alconbury , and became commander in May 1967 . He returned to Washington , D . C . , in August 1968 for a tour of duty with the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as deputy director for operations , National Military Command Center . In August 1969 he assumed command of the Defense Contract Administration Services Region , Defense Supply Agency , at Los Angeles , Calif . Coberly returned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force in August 1970 and was named director of reconnaissance and electronic warfare , in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Research and Development . His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross , Bronze Star Medal , Air Medal with oak leaf cluster , Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters , Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon , and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon . He was promoted to the temporary grade of brigadier general effective Oct . 1 , 1968 , with date of rank July 8 , 1968 . He died at Monroe , Ohio in 2011 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on July 18 , 2011 .