A . J . Beck Abe Jack Beck ( May 24 , 1914 – July 2 , 2006 ) was an American air force major general who was commander of Warner Robins Air Materiel Area , Air Force Logistics Command , with headquarters at Robins Air Force Base , Ga . Beck was born in Dallas , Texas , in 1914 , where he received his basic education . He graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from Southern Methodist University , Dallas School of Law in 1939 . After a year of private law practice , he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet and in August 1941 was awarded his pilot wings and commission as second lieutenant at Luke Field , Arizona . He remained at Luke Field as an instructor pilot , engineering officer , and aide - de - camp to Lieutenant General Ennis C . Whitehead . During World War II in June 1942 he was ordered to duty in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations where he served three years , principally as an air operations officer at group , wing and Air Force level . During the campaigns in New Guinea , Netherland East Indies and the Philippines , Beck flew 133 combat missions in bomber , fighter , and troop carrier aircraft . While piloting a P - 38 Lightning fighter , he shot down one enemy aircraft . Beck returned from overseas in May 1945 to enter the Army Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas . He graduated from the course in August and was assigned to Headquarters Fourth Air Force in San Francisco , California . He served there until his release from active military duty in August 1946 . In July 1947 Beck returned to active duty at Carswell Air Force Base , Texas , with Headquarters Eighth Air Force . This was the beginning of a pioneering series of key staff and command assignments in the Strategic Air Command spanning a 19 - year period . In August 1948 he was transferred to Headquarters Strategic Air Command at Andrews Air Force Base , Maryland , as judge advocate ; and in November 1948 , he moved with the Headquarters to Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska , still serving as judge advocate . From January 1952 to July 1954 , he was deputy commander and then commander of the 3902d Air Base Wing at Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska . The next three years he was at Whiteman Air Force Base , Missouri , as commander of SAC ' s 340th Bombardment Wing , a B - 47 organization . In July 1957 Beck was assigned as commander , 4082d Strategic Wing at Goose Air Base , Labrador ; and in July 1959 he became chief of staff for Headquarters Eighth Air Force at Westover Air Force Base , Mass . In July 1961 he moved to Pease Air Force Base , New Hampshire , as commander of the 817th Air Division . In August 1963 Beck was assigned to Headquarters SAC as inspector general , and in August 1964 he became director of Materiel . He assumed duties in September 1966 as senior Air Force member , Military Studies and Liaison Division , Weapons Systems Evaluation Group , Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering , Office of the Secretary of Defense . Beck was assigned in July 1968 as commander of the Warner Robins Air Materiel Area at Robins Air Force Base , Georgia . His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters , Distinguished Flying Cross , Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters , Army Commendation Medal , Presidential Unit Citation Emblem with three oak leaf clusters , and British Military Cross . He was promoted to the temporary grade of major general effective October 1 , 1963 , with date of rank May 3 , 1959 . He retired January 8 , 1972 .