James M . Breedlove James Montgomery Breedlove ( born September 8 , 1922 ) was an American air force major general who was commander , U . S . Air Force Southern Air Division of the Tactical Air Command and deputy commander in chief , United States Southern Command , Quarry Heights , Canal Zone . Biography . Breedlove was born in Franklin , Kentucky , in 1922 , where he graduated from Franklin High School in 1940 . He attended Emory Junior College , Valdosta , Ga . , until June 1942 , and then the University of Louisville , Ky . In September 1943 he entered the U . S . Military Academy at West Point , N . Y . , and graduated in June 1947 with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U . S . Army Air Corps . After graduation from the academy , he attended pilot training at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , and Williams Air Force Base , Ariz . He graduated in October 1948 and was assigned as a jet fighter pilot with the 56th Fighter - Interceptor Group , Selfridge Air Force Base , Mich . In December 1950 he was transferred to the 3625th Combat Crew Training Wing , Tyndall Air Force Base , Fla . In December 1951 , during the Korean War , Breedlove went to Korea and served with the 601st Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Kimpo , as a controller . He flew 39 combat missions . In November 1952 he returned to the United States and went to Langley Air Force Base , Va . , where he was assistant base operations officer . Later , he joined the 404th Tactical Fighter Group and performed duties as a squadron supply officer , fighter pilot , flight commander and squadron operations officer . In December 1955 Breedlove became operations officer for the 50th Fighter - Bomber Wing at Hahn , Germany . In January 1957 he was assigned to the U . S . Air Forces in Europe as aide - de - camp to the commander in chief , and in September 1957 he became chief , Jet Aircraft Branch , Directorate of Operations . Breedlove returned to the United States in December 1957 as assistant executive to the deputy chief of staff , operations , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . In August 1962 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk , Va . From January 1963 to January 1966 , he was assigned as operations officer of the 3510th Flying Training Wing , Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , and later became director of operations . In January 1966 General Breedlove went to England where he attended the Imperial Defence College in London . In January 1967 he was assigned as a special assistant to the deputy chief of staff , operations , Headquarters 3d Air Force at South Ruislip . He later became deputy commander for operations , 81st Tactical Fighter Wing , at Bentwaters . In July 1968 he assumed duties as director of readiness inspection , Headquarters U . S . Air Forces in Europe , Lindsey Air Station , Germany . General Breedlove was transferred to Thailand in June 1969 as vice commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base , and assumed command of the wing in December 1969 . He flew 162 combat missions with a total of 378 flying hours in the F - 4E Phantom II aircraft . In August 1970 General Breedlove was assigned as vice commander of the 3500th Pilot Training Wing at Reese Air Force Base , Texas , and assumed command of the wing in October 1970 . He became deputy chief of staff , operations , Air Training Command , with headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , in April 1971 . He was assigned as deputy director , Defense Mapping Agency , Department of Defense , in August 1973 . General Breedlove assumed command of the U . S . Air Forces Southern Command in the Canal Zone in October 1974 . When the Tactical Air Command assumed responsibility for USAFSO Jan . 1 , 1976 , he was appointed commander , U . S . Air Force Southern Air Division of the Tactical Air Command and deputy commander in chief , U . S . Southern Command . He is a command pilot . His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross , Bronze Star Medal , Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster , Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon , and the Royal Thai Supreme Command Forward Master Badge . He was promoted to the grade of major general May 1 , 1973 , with date of rank Aug . 5 , 1969 . He retired in May 1977 . He currently lives in Horseshoe Bay , Texas