Ray B . Sitton Ray Benjamin Sitton ( November 6 , 1923 – August 16 , 2013 ) was an American lieutenant general , command pilot and navigator . He was Director of the Joint Staff , Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Washington , D . C . Biography . Sitton was born in 1923 , in Calhoun , Georgia , where he graduated from Sonoraville High School as valedictorian of the class of 1941 . He received a bachelor of science degree in military science from the University of Maryland in 1954 , and a master ' s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1967 . He entered the Enlisted Reserve in August 1942 and was called to active duty in February 1943 . Through the Army Air Corps aviation cadet program , he received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant at Eagle Pass Army Air Field , Texas , in December 1943 . During World War II , he served as a basic flying instructor at Independence Army Air Field , Kan . , and in February 1945 he went to the Southwest Pacific area where he was a pilot , adjutant and aide - de - camp with XI Army Corps and the Far East Air Forces . From October 1947 to January 1950 , he served in a variety of positions with the Air Proving Ground , Eglin Air Force Base , Fla . , including adjutant and group personnel officer , and during this period attended the Air Tactical School . He next attended the University of Colorado . In September 1950 he was assigned to Headquarters U . S . Air Force as chief of the Top Secret Branch in the Staff Message Division . He entered the Air Command and Staff School , Maxwell Air Force Base , Ala . , in January 1954 . Sitton was transferred to Korea in August 1954 and assigned to the 5th Air Force where he served as air operations officer , chief of the Flight Section , and chief , Operations and Training Branch , 314th Air Division . He returned to the United States in August 1955 , attended pilot aerial observer training at James Connally Air Force Base , Texas , and was awarded his navigator wings . He next was assigned to the B - 47 pilot transition course at McConnell Air Force Base , Kan . In August 1956 he went to Homestead Air Force Base , Fla . , where he held a variety of positions , including B - 47 aircraft commander , squadron operations officer , squadron commander , chief of the 379th Bombardment Wing training division and assistant deputy commander for operations for the wing . In November 1959 he was assigned to the 4137th Strategic Wing at Robins Air Force Base , Ga . , where he served as commander of the 342d Bombardment Squadron ; commander of the organizational maintenance squadron ; and chief of the Operations and Training Division ; assistant deputy commander for operations ; and deputy commander for operations for the 4137th Wing . Sitton was assigned to Headquarters Strategic Air Command , Offutt Air Force Base , Neb . , in June 1963 , first as chief of the Operations and Training Branch , Office of the Inspector General , and in July 1965 was named deputy director of information . He entered the National War College in Washington , D . C . , in August 1966 and graduated in July 1967 . Sitton then joined the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Washington , D . C . , in the Operations Directorate , where he was assistant deputy director for operations for the National Military Command Center ; then chief , Current Operations Branch ; and lastly chief , Strategic Operations Division . In June 1970 Sitton assumed duties as commander of the 17th Bombardment Wing , SAC , Wright - Patterson Air Force Base , Ohio , and in May 1971 was named commander of the 19th Air Division , SAC , with headquarters at Carswell Air Force Base , Texas . He assumed duties as assistant deputy chief of staff for plans , Strategic Air Command , at Offutt Air Force Base , Neb . , in January 1972 ; became deputy chief of staff for plans in March 1973 ; and assumed duties as deputy chief of staff for operations in September 1973 . In July 1974 Sitton was assigned as director for operations ( J - 3 ) , Joint Staff , Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , Washington , D . C . He assumed his present duties in July 1976 . He has flown more than 8 , 500 hours in 40 different types of aircraft , and is authorized to wear the Master Missileman Badge . His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster , Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster , Joint Service Commendation Medal , Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster , and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon . Sitton died August 16 , 2013 , aged 89 .