Avelin P . Tacon , Jr . Avelin Paul Tacon Jr . ( born December 4 , 1914 ) was an American Air Force major general . He received his education from Murphy High School and Spring Hill College in his birthplace of Mobile , Alabama , prior to entering Primary Flying School at Randolph Field , Texas , in October 1936 . After graduation from primary and advanced flying schools at Randolph and Kelly fields , he was rated a pilot in October 1937 . As a second lieutenant , he was assigned to the 3rd Attack Group for a short period and later to the 55th Pursuit Squadron , 20th Pursuit Group , Barksdale Field , La . He served with the 55th for five years , eventually becoming the squadron commander . During that time , the squadron served at Moffett and Hamilton fields , Calif . , and was eventually permanently assigned to Drew Field , Tampa , Fla . In January 1943 , then Lieutenant Colonel Tacon was transferred to Westover Field , Mass . , to assume command of the newly organized 359th Fighter Group . The group was ordered to Europe in November 1943 and became operational at one of the many bases in England . As commander of his group , he led his men on fighter sweeps against occupied France and Germany and bomber escort missions . After completion of his combat tour , he became executive officer of the 67th Fighter Wing with headquarters near Peterborough , England . After the cessation of hostilities in Europe , Tacon was assigned to Headquarters American Graves Registration Command in Paris , for the purpose of organizing a staff section to aid in the location of missing aircrews . He remained in this assignment until April 1946 when he returned to the United States . Upon return from Europe , he was assigned to duty within the Operations Division , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Operations , at Headquarters U . S . Air Force in Washington . After completion of this tour , he went to the Air War College , Maxwell Air Force Base , Ala . After his 1949 graduation , he was assigned as assistant deputy for operations , Headquarters Air Training Command . Tacon assumed command of Nellis Air Force Base , Nevada , in January 1951 . At that time , the base was engaged in training replacement jet fighter pilots for fighter units stationed in Korea . In August 1952 , he was reassigned to attend the National War College at Fort Lesley J . McNair , Washington , D . C . Graduating in June 1953 , he was ordered to Korea to assume command of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing , stationed at Osan . The armistice with the North Koreans was declared the night Tacon landed in Japan ; therefore , he missed possible combat in the Korean conflict by only a few hours . During his tour with the 18th he formed and personally led a precision acrobatic team of F - 86s that was used in the rendition of honors to dignitaries visiting Fifth Air Force Headquarters at Osan . He was reassigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command , Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , in August 1954 . He served as director of operations and training until 1957 when he took command of Foster Air Force Base , Texas , as wing commander of the 450th Fighter Wing . During his tour at Foster , the now Brigadier Tacon led the first deployment of a century series F - 100 jet fighter squadron to Japan on Operation Mobile Zebra . The flight , accomplished by using air to air inflight refueling - with KB - 50 tankers - was successfully completed and all of the squadron returned to Foster approximately one month after departure . Tacon served as commander at Foster until the base was deactivated during the summer of 1958 . While en route by car to assume command of the 831st Air Division at George Air Force Base , California , the Formosan crisis erupted . After being located by state police , he rushed to assume command of the Twelfth Air Force Task Force Command Element ( Reserve ) in Formosa . He returned to George to take command of the division there and continue a policy of leadership by example . In August 1959 , Tacon led six F - 104 tactical fighters on Starblazer I from Myrtle Beach , S . C . , to Moron Air Base , Spain . This was the first Atlantic crossing of the F - 104 and paved the way for subsequent deployments of Starfighter squadrons . In June 1960 , he was transferred to Twelfth Air Force Headquarters in Waco to become deputy commander . He was promoted to major general in 1961 . Once again , in October 1961 , Tacon found himself in the " thick " of another crisis , this time Berlin . Many fighter wings were activated and ordered to France to stave the crisis . The Twelfth Air Force deputy commander was ordered to inspect the progress of the deploying units and made important stops at Newfoundland , Iceland , England and France , the path of the National Guard fighters . Tacon served as deputy commander , 12th Air Force until May 1962 when he was transferred to the Philippines to assume the duties of chief , Joint United States Military Advisory Group to the Republic of the Philippines . In this capacity , he is responsible for administering the U . S . Military Assistance Program to the Philippines , furnishing technical advice to the Armed Forces of the Philippines , and serving as a member of the staff of the American ambassador to the Philippines . Tacon is a command pilot with 300 combat hours . The general holds the Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters , Air Medal with six Clusters , Commendation Medal , and the Croix de Guerre with Palm . He retired July 31 , 1967 .