Bennie L . Davis Bennie Luke Davis ( May 12 , 1928September 23 , 2012 ) was a United States Air Force general who served as the commander - in - chief of Strategic Air Command , and as the director of Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff , with its headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska . The command was the major American nuclear deterrent force with bombers , tankers , reconnaissance aircraft and intercontinental ballistic missiles . The Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff coordinated United States nuclear war plans and develops the Single Integrated Operational Plan . Early life and education . Davis was born in McAlester , Oklahoma on May 12 , 1928 . He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1950 with a commission as a second lieutenant and a bachelor of science degree . He earned a master of science degree from The George Washington University , Washington , D . C . , in 1967 ; and graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College , Norfolk , Virginia , in 1964 ; and the National War College , Fort Lesley J . McNair , Washington , D . C . , in 1967 . Career . After graduation from West Point , Davis entered the U . S . Air Force and attended pilot training at Vance Air Force Base , Oklahoma , earning his pilot wings in August 1951 . He then was assigned as a twin - engine pilot at James Connally Air Force Base , Texas . Davis completed B - 29 Superfortress combat crew training in October 1953 and then reported to Okinawa as a B - 29 aircraft commander with the 307th and later the 19th Bombardment Wing . He returned to the United States with the 19th Bombardment Wing in June 1954 and served as a B - 47 Stratojet aircraft commander and instructor pilot at Pinecastle Air Force Base , Florida . In June 1956 he again moved with the 19th Bombardment Wing , this time to Homestead Air Force Base , Florida . After completing B - 52 combat crew training in September 1961 , Davis become a B - 52H instructor pilot with the 93rd Bombardment Squadron at Kincheloe Air Force Base , Michigan . In February 1964 he entered the Armed Forces Staff College . He graduated in June 1964 and was assigned to SAC headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base as a requirements officer in the Aerospace Systems Branch , Plans Requirements Division . General Davis entered the National War College in August 1966 and while attending the college earned a master of science degree . Davis transferred to Clark Air Base in the Philippines , in October 1967 as a B - 57 tactical bomber pilot with the 13th Bombardment Squadron . The squadron was later redesignated as Detachment 1 , 8th Tactical Bombardment Squadron , and he become its operations officer . He flew more than 350 combat hours on 142 missions over Vietnam . In August 1968 , Davis joined the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington , D . C . , where he served in the Directorate of Operations as an operations officer and later as chief of the Current Operations Branch , Strategic Operations Division . In August 1970 he was assigned as the Air Force member of the Chairman ' s Staff Group , Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff . In 1969 he attended the advanced management program at the Harvard School of Business . Davis transferred to Randolph Air Force Base , Texas , in June 1972 to serve as vice commander , U . S . Air Force Military Personnel Center , and deputy assistant deputy chief of staff for military personnel for Headquarters U . S . Air Force . The center was later redesignated the Manpower and Personnel Center . In June 1974 he become commander of the U . S . Air Force Recruiting Service and deputy chief of staff , recruiting , for Air Training Command . In July 1975 , Davis was assigned as director , personnel plans , Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff , Personnel , Headquarters U . S . Air Force , Washington , D . C . He was named deputy chief of staff , personnel ( later manpower and personnel ) in June 1977 . In April 1979 Davis was promoted to General , and took command of Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base . He assumed command of SAC in August 1981 . Later life and death . Davis retired on August 1 , 1985 , and died September 23 , 2012 of natural causes in Georgetown , Texas where he had been living since his retirement . Awards and decorations . General Davis is a command pilot with more than 9 , 000 flying hours . His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal ( Air Force ) , Silver Star , Legion of Merit , Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf cluster s , Bronze Star , Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters , Joint Service Commendation Medal , Air Force Commendation Medal , Presidential Unit Citation Emblem and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award . >