Robert J . Dixon Robert James Dixon ( April 9 , 1920 – March 21 , 2003 ) was a United States Air Force four - star general who served as Commander , Tactical Air Command ( COMTAC ) from 1973 to 1978 . He also served simultaneously as commander in chief of U . S . Air Forces for both the Atlantic and U . S . Readiness commands . Biography . Dixon was born in New York City in 1920 . He graduated from Dartmouth College in June 1941 with a bachelor of arts degree in literature . In 1941 he entered pilot training in the Royal Canadian Air Force and in November 1942 was commissioned a pilot officer ( second lieutenant ) . He then graduated with a navigator rating from the RCAF Astro Navigation School . After completing Spitfire training at Dyce , Scotland , he was assigned to the 541 Squadron Royal Air Force a Photo Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Benson , England . In September 1943 Dixon was transferred to the U . S . Army Air Forces and assigned to the 7th Photographic Group , Eighth Air Force , European Theater of Operations . In 1944 Dixon assumed command of the 14th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron , 7th Photographic Group , which had Mark XI Spitfires , P - 38s and P - 51s . He flew missions in four different aircraft for a total of 235 combat flying hours in 65 missions . He was shot down by flak while doing reconnaissance of the oil refinery at Merseburg , Germany . He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until released by U . S . Forces in May 1945 . After hospitalization , Dixon served at Will Rogers Field , Oklahoma City , Oklahoma , and Rapid City , South Dakota . He was an instructor at the West Point Preparatory School in 1947 and then was assigned as group and wing personnel officer for the 82d Fighter Wing , Grenier Field , New Hampshire . From November 1948 to 1953 , Dixon served in the Directorate of Personnel , Headquarters Strategic Air Command . He next served 11 months in Korea with the 4th Fighter - Interceptor Wing as wing inspector and then as commander of the 335th Fighter - Interceptor Squadron . He completed 28 combat missions before the Korean armistice . Dixon returned to the United States in 1954 . He was assigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force and subsequently served as assistant to the deputy chief of staff , plans and operations , for National Security Council affairs . In this capacity he was Air Force action officer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff , the State Department and the National Security Council . He graduated from the Air War College in 1959 and was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe , Paris , France , as staff missile planner . Reassigned to the Pentagon in 1962 , he served as assistant deputy director for war plans and later as assistant for joint and National Security Council matters , deputy chief of staff , plans and operations . In this latter capacity , Dixon was the Air Force planner for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters . In September 1965 Dixon was assigned to the 45th Air Division , Strategic Air Command , at Loring Air Force Base , Maine , as division commander with B - 52 / KC - 135 units at Loring and Dow Air Force bases , Harmon and Goose air bases . From July 1967 until July 1969 , he was assigned as assistant deputy chief of staff , personnel for military personnel , and commander , U . S . Air Force Military Personnel Center , Randolph Air Force Base , Texas . While in this assignment , he received the 1969 Eugene M . Zuckert Management Award . In July 1969 Dixon was transferred to the Republic of Vietnam as vice commander , Seventh Air Force . He flew 36 combat missions during this tour in Southeast Asia . On August 1 , 1970 , he was promoted to lieutenant general and assumed the duties of deputy chief of staff , personnel , Headquarters U . S . Air Force . He served in that position until October 1 , 1973 , at which time he was promoted to general and assumed command of Tactical Air Command . Dixon retired from the military on May 1 , 1978 and died on March 21 , 2003 . Awards and decorations . He was a command pilot with more than 6 , 000 flying hours . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross , Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross , Bronze Star , Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters , Purple Heart , British Distinguished Flying Cross and French Croix d ' Officier de la Légion d ' honneur .