Harrison Lobdell , Jr . Harrison Lobdell , Jr . ( born March 12 , 1924 ) is a retired American Air Force major general who was commandant , National War College , National Defense University , Fort Lesley J . McNair , Washington , D . C . from 1976 to 1978 . Biography . Lobdell was born in 1924 , in Los Angeles , California . He graduated from high school at the New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell in 1941 and completed junior college in 1943 . He graduated from the U . S . Military Academy , West Point , New York , in 1946 with a bachelor of science degree in military science and commission as a second lieutenant . He attended the Army Command and General Staff College in 1959 , the Air War College in 1964 , and received his master ' s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1964 . After graduation from the academy , he entered flying school at Williams Field , Arizona , received his pilot wings in November 1946 , then completed fighter pilot transition training . Lobdell next was assigned to the 162d Reconnaissance Squadron at Brooks Field , Texas , and later at Langley Field , Va . , where he served as a photographic reconnaissance pilot and supply officer from November 1946 to September 1948 . He was transferred to the 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Johnson Air Base , Japan , in September 1948 . In his new assignment he served as photographic reconnaissance pilot , squadron adjutant , and personnel officer . In March 1949 he joined the 13th Bombardment Squadron , 3d Bombardment Group , at Yokota Air Base , Japan , and served as pilot , adjutant , training and armament officer , and flight commander . During the Korean War , as a member of the 13th BMS ' famed " Grim Reapers " he led the first U . S . Air Force mission over North Korea as a B - 26 Invader bomber pilot . He completed 60 missions over Korea as a night - intruder pilot . In January 1951 Lobdell was transferred to Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . , as a night and electronic reconnaissance operations staff officer with the Directorate of Requirements , Deputy Chief of Staff , Research and Development . He served in this position until July 1954 , when he was transferred to Shaw Air Force Base , S . C . , as a reconnaissance pilot . In January 1955 he reported to the U . S . Air Force Academy , Colo . , as deputy director for physical training . In August 1958 he was assigned as a student at the Army Command and General Staff College , Fort Leavenworth , Kan . Lobdell joined the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Spangdahlem , Germany , in July 1959 and served as executive officer . He moved with the wing to Royal Air Force Station Chelveston and then to Royal Air Force Station Alconbury , England , where he became chief , Plans Division . In February 1961 he assumed command of the 1st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron , also at Alconbury , and in February . 1962 returned to the 10th Wing as chief , Tactical Operations Division . He later went to Toul - Rosieres Air Base , France , to be assistant deputy commander for operations for the wing . In August 1963 Lobdell entered the Air War College , Maxwell Air Force Base , Alabama After graduation in August 1964 , he returned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force and was assigned as a plans and programs officer in the Directorate of Doctrine , Concepts and Objectives . During this tour of duty , he was concerned with various aspects of advanced planning including future aerospace capabilities , limited war doctrine , concepts and objectives . Lobdell went to Southeast Asia in June 1967 as commander of Detachment 1 , 432d TRW at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base , Thailand , and in August was assigned as deputy commander for operations / reconnaissance , 355th Tactical Fighter Wing at Takhli . During these assignments he flew 105 missions — 66 over North Vietnam — in the EB - 66 Destroyer aircraft . In August 1968 he returned to the United States and was assigned to Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , as director of operations for the 3510th Flying Training Wing . In June 1969 he assumed command of the 3560th Pilot Training Wing , ATC , at Webb Air Force Base , Texas , and in April 1970 he returned to Randolph Air Force Base to command the 3510th Flying Training Wing . In January 1971 he became inspector general for Headquarters Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base . Lobdell was appointed director , European Division , Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense ( International Security Affairs ) , Washington , D . C . , in February 1971 . He assumed duty as deputy chief of staff for plans , U . S . Air Forces in Europe , with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base , Germany , in August 1974 . Lobdell became commandant of the National War College on September 1 , 1976 . He is a command pilot . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster , Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters , Air Force Commendation Medal , Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem , Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon , and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon . He was promoted to the grade of major general February 12 , 1975 , with date of rank July 1 , 1972 . He retired September 1 , 1978 . He currently resides in San Antonio , Texas