Andrew P. Iosue
Encyclopedia
Andrew Philip Iosue (ˈɒz.weɪ ; born November 7, 1927) is a retired United States Air Force
four-star general who served as Commander, Air Training Command
(COMATC) from 1983 to 1986.
. He graduated from Everett High School
in 1945 and then attended the University of Massachusetts
where he received a bachelor of science degree in bacteriology
in 1951. He entered active duty in July 1951 as a medical service officer with primary duty as a bacteriologist at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Iosue next entered flight training. He received his pilot wings in March 1954 at Reese Air Force Base
, Texas, and completed training at Mather Air Force Base
, California, in September 1954. He then was assigned to the 36th Air Rescue Squadron
at Johnson Air Base, Japan.
From July 1957 to August 1960, he was an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Cornell University
. He subsequently returned to operational duties with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
, South Carolina. In June 1963 Iosue received his initial assignment in tactical airlift, when he joined the 317th Troop Carrier Wing at Evreux Air Base, France, flying C-130 Hercules
. He moved with the wing, in 1964, to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, where he remained until July 1966 as a C-130 instructor pilot and chief of wing training. Iosue then spent four years as chief of the Rated Officer Assignments Section for the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base
.
and commanded the 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. The unit was responsible for the forward air controllers in Southeast Asia. In May 1971 he became commander of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
, Taiwan. Highlights of this assignment included developing and implementing a C-130 low-level drop system in support of operations at An Loc
, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1972; flying more than 200 combat missions while in Southeast Asia; and in January 1973, in support of the release of American prisoners of war, flying the first U.S. Air Force aircraft to land at Gia Lam Airbase in Hanoi
, in 19 years.
Iosue took command of the Air Force Military Training Center, Lackland Air Force Base
, Texas, in September 1976. In March 1979, his assigned driver chased Ed Roney, an airman who was in basic training at the time after Roney failed to salute the general's staff car as it passed. Roney escaped and made his way back to his BMTS. When Roney graduated from BMTS a couple of weeks later, he sent the general two Domino's pizzas. In April 1979 he returned to Air Force headquarters as deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. He took command of Air Training command in 1983, and retired from the air force on September 1, 1986.
, Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross
with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal
with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.
Iosue received an honorary doctor of aeronautics degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
in Prescott, Arizona
, in December 1983 and an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Akron
in May 1985.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
four-star general who served as Commander, Air Training Command
Air Training Command
Air Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
(COMATC) from 1983 to 1986.
Early years
Iosue was born in 1927 in Somerville, MassachusettsSomerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
. He graduated from Everett High School
Everett High School (Massachusetts)
Everett High School is a public high school in Everett, Massachusetts. In the 2007-2008 school year, it had 1,774 students. After being at the Broadway Street location for almost 100 years, a new high school was built on Elm Street, opening in September, 2007....
in 1945 and then attended the University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
where he received a bachelor of science degree in bacteriology
Bacteriology
Bacteriology is the study of bacteria. This subdivision of microbiology involves the identification, classification, and characterization of bacterial species...
in 1951. He entered active duty in July 1951 as a medical service officer with primary duty as a bacteriologist at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Iosue next entered flight training. He received his pilot wings in March 1954 at Reese Air Force Base
Reese Air Force Base
Reese Air Force Base was a base of the United States Air Force located 6 mi west of Lubbock, Texas, about 225 mi WNW of Fort Worth...
, Texas, and completed training at Mather Air Force Base
Mather Air Force Base
Mather Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force Base located east of Sacramento at Rancho Cordova, California on the south side of U.S. Route 50....
, California, in September 1954. He then was assigned to the 36th Air Rescue Squadron
36th Rescue Flight
The 36th Rescue Flight is part of the 336th Training Group at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It operates UH-1N Iroquois Twin Huey aircraft conducting search and rescue missions in support of the US Air Force Survival School.-History:...
at Johnson Air Base, Japan.
From July 1957 to August 1960, he was an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
. He subsequently returned to operational duties with the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force facility, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was established in 1940 as a World War II training base and was also used for coastal patrols during the war...
, South Carolina. In June 1963 Iosue received his initial assignment in tactical airlift, when he joined the 317th Troop Carrier Wing at Evreux Air Base, France, flying C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
. He moved with the wing, in 1964, to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, where he remained until July 1966 as a C-130 instructor pilot and chief of wing training. Iosue then spent four years as chief of the Rated Officer Assignments Section for the Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base
Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located east-northeast of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 902d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
.
Vietnam
In July 1970 he went to the Republic of VietnamSouth Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
and commanded the 504th Tactical Air Support Group at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. The unit was responsible for the forward air controllers in Southeast Asia. In May 1971 he became commander of the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base
Ching Chuan Kang Air Base is a Republic Of China Air Force base located on Taiwan. It is the home to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, with three squadrons of Ching-kou air-defense /attack fighters...
, Taiwan. Highlights of this assignment included developing and implementing a C-130 low-level drop system in support of operations at An Loc
An Loc
An Loc is a small town in Bình Phước Province in southern Vietnam, located approximately 90 km north of Saigon with a population of 15,000...
, Republic of Vietnam, in May 1972; flying more than 200 combat missions while in Southeast Asia; and in January 1973, in support of the release of American prisoners of war, flying the first U.S. Air Force aircraft to land at Gia Lam Airbase in Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
, in 19 years.
Later career
From June 1973 to July 1975, Iosue was assigned as deputy director of personnel programs, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He later became director. He was then named commander of the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service and deputy chief of staff, recruiting for Air Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base.Iosue took command of the Air Force Military Training Center, Lackland Air Force Base
Lackland Air Force Base
Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located west-southwest of San Antonio, Texas. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command ....
, Texas, in September 1976. In March 1979, his assigned driver chased Ed Roney, an airman who was in basic training at the time after Roney failed to salute the general's staff car as it passed. Roney escaped and made his way back to his BMTS. When Roney graduated from BMTS a couple of weeks later, he sent the general two Domino's pizzas. In April 1979 he returned to Air Force headquarters as deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. He took command of Air Training command in 1983, and retired from the air force on September 1, 1986.
Awards
Iosue was a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours and earned the Parachutist Badge. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service Medal
The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with oak leaf cluster and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.
Iosue received an honorary doctor of aeronautics degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in the US specializing in aviation and aerospace engineering. It teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace. Called "The Harvard of the Sky" by Time Magazine in 1979, Embry-Riddle has a history dating back to...
in Prescott, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott is a city in Yavapai County, Arizona, USA. It was designated "Arizona's Christmas City" by Arizona Governor Rose Mofford in the late 1980s....
, in December 1983 and an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
in May 1985.