Louis T . Seith Louis Theodore " Ted " Seith ( January 17 , 1921 – March 6 , 2007 ) was a former General in the United States Air Force and the former Chief of Staff , Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe . Biography . Early life . Seith was born in Quincy , Massachusetts , in 1921 , received his secondary education in San Diego , California , and graduated from Brown Military Academy , Pacific Beach , California , in 1938 . He entered the United States Military Academy West Point in 1939 , where he played varsity football and graduated with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps in 1943 . He attended flying school while at the academy and received his pilot wings in 1942 . After graduation he entered B - 17 Flying Fortress flight training and later joined the 483rd Bombardment Group at Tampa , Florida . He commanded the 840th Bombardment Squadron when the group went to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations , in March 1944 , and became group operations officer in January 1945 . He participated in the campaigns of Rome - Arno , Po Valley , Rhineland , North Apennines , Central Europe , Northern France , Southern France , and Southern Europe . He flew 52 combat missions during his World War II service . Seith returned to the United States in August 1945 and was assigned to the United States Military Academy as a physics instructor . In 1948 he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command , Langley Air Force Base , Virginia , first as aide to Lieutenant General Elwood " Pete " Quesada and later as a member of the TAC staff . During this period he attended the Air Tactical School . From July 1950 to August 1953 , he was an aircraft accident investigator and flight safety research plans and policy officer with the deputy inspector general , Headquarters United States Air Force . He left this assignment to attend the Air Command and Staff School which he completed in December 1953 . During the next three and one - half years , he served with the Far East Air Forces , first with the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron in Japan and later as director of fighter bomber operations , Headquarters Japan Air Defense Force . He ended the tour of duty in Japan as director of plans , Headquarters Fifth Air Force . He joined the staff of the United States Air Force Academy in June 1957 as operations and training officer to the commandant of cadets , and became deputy commandant two years later . He left this assignment to attend the National War College , and following graduation in June 1961 , he assumed command of the 414th Fighter Group , Oxnard Air Force Base , California . In July 1963 he was assigned to Headquarters United States Air Force as deputy director of education and training in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff For Personnel . He returned to the U . S . Air Force Academy in July 1965 and was appointed commandant of cadets . In December 1967 he became chief of staff , Headquarters Seventh Air Force , Tan Son Nhut Air Base , Republic of Vietnam . He assumed duties as deputy commander , Seventh Air Force / Thirteenth Air Force , in June 1968 . Seith became commander , United States Military Assistance Group , Thailand , and chief , Joint United States Military Advisory Group , Thailand , in May 1969 . General Seith joined the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff , in August 1971 as vice director , J - 3 ( operations ) , and in July 1972 was named director for plans and policy ( J - 5 ) . In August 1974 General Seith was assigned to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe as chief of staff . He was promoted to the grade of general effective Aug . 1 , 1974 , with same date of rank . Seith died on March 6 , 2007 at a retirement community in Sterling , Virginia after suffering multiple strokes . His hometown was Fort Walton Beach , Florida . At some point , the Air Force Aid Society named an award after him . Awards . Awards earned during his career include the :