Joseph K. Spiers
Encyclopedia
Major General Joseph K. Spiers (born 1937) is a retired United States Air Force general.
Spiers was born in Tarboro, North Carolina
. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University
(where he was initiated into Phi Kappa Tau
fraternity) and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering through the Air Force Institute of Technology
program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1967. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1964, Air Command and Staff College in 1973, and the Air War College in 1976.
Upon graduation from college in 1959, he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After completing pilot training at Moore Air Force Base
, Texas, and Craig Air Force Base
, Alabama, he served in the Air Training Command at Craig as an instructor pilot and academic instructor in T-33s and T-37s.
The general entered the Air Force Institute of Technology program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
, Ohio, in September 1965. Upon graduation in July 1967 with a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, he transferred to George Air Force Base
, California, and upgraded into the F-4 Phantom. He then served a year with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam and South Korea, flying 102 combat missions.
He returned to the United States in March 1969 and spent the next six years in the Air Force Systems Command at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base
, California. Assignments at Edwards included project engineer for F-4E category II testing; the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School; research test pilot in the A-7, F-4, F-15, F-104 and U-2; deputy director, F-15 Joint Test Force; and maintenance control officer for the Flight Test Center.
General Spiers completed Air War College in June 1976 and for the next four years served with the Air Force Logistics Command, Ogden Air Logistics Center
, Hill Air Force Base
, Utah, as chief of the F-16 Acquisition Division (system manager). From June 1980 to June 1982 he served as a military staff assistant to the director of defense test and evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Undersecretary of Defense for Research Engineering and Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
In July 1982 the general returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as deputy for strategic missiles, space, electronic and armament programs, Air Force Acquisition Logistics Division. He became vice commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in April 1983 and in August 1984 commanded the Logistics Operations Center. In July 1985 he became commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center. He was assigned as deputy chief of staff for logistics, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii, in August 1986. General Spiers returned as commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in May 1988. He became the commander of the Oklahoma City Air Material Area in September 1989 and retired from there in retiring from there in July 1st, 1994. After retirement, he moved back to his family home planning to restore it.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit
, Distinguished Flying Cross
, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
, Meritorious Service Medal
, Air Medal
with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal
, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
, Vietnam Service Medal
with five service stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He was promoted to major general July 1, 1988, with same date of rank.
Spiers was born in Tarboro, North Carolina
Tarboro, North Carolina
Tarboro is a city located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. It is part of the Rocky Mount, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the town had a total population of 13,121. It is the county seat of Edgecombe County. Tarboro is located in North Carolina's Inner Banks region...
. He received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
(where he was initiated into Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
fraternity) and a master of science degree in aerospace engineering through the Air Force Institute of Technology
Air Force Institute of Technology
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a graduate school and provider of professional and continuing education that is part of the United States Air Force. It is located on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. A component of Air University and Air Education and Training Command, AFIT has been...
program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 1967. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1964, Air Command and Staff College in 1973, and the Air War College in 1976.
Upon graduation from college in 1959, he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. After completing pilot training at Moore Air Force Base
Moore Air Force Base
Moore Air Base is an inactive United States Air Force facility located fourteen miles northwest of Mission, Texas. It was inactivated on 1 February 1961...
, Texas, and Craig Air Force Base
Craig Air Force Base
Craig Air Force Base near Selma, Alabama, was a U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training base that closed in 1977. As an active air force base, Craig had two parallel runways, a large aircraft parking ramp and several large maintenance hangars....
, Alabama, he served in the Air Training Command at Craig as an instructor pilot and academic instructor in T-33s and T-37s.
The general entered the Air Force Institute of Technology program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
, Ohio, in September 1965. Upon graduation in July 1967 with a M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, he transferred to George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base
George Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located within city limits, 8 miles northwest of central Victorville, California, about 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. The facility was closed by the Base Realignment and Closure 1992 commission at the end of the Cold...
, California, and upgraded into the F-4 Phantom. He then served a year with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam and South Korea, flying 102 combat missions.
He returned to the United States in March 1969 and spent the next six years in the Air Force Systems Command at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
, California. Assignments at Edwards included project engineer for F-4E category II testing; the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School; research test pilot in the A-7, F-4, F-15, F-104 and U-2; deputy director, F-15 Joint Test Force; and maintenance control officer for the Flight Test Center.
General Spiers completed Air War College in June 1976 and for the next four years served with the Air Force Logistics Command, Ogden Air Logistics Center
Ogden Air Logistics Center
The Ogden Air Logistics Center performs depot maintenance on a number of US Air Force weapon systems. Specifically it supports A-10 Thunderbolt II, B-2 Spirit, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and LGM-30G Minuteman III systems...
, Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base
Hill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
, Utah, as chief of the F-16 Acquisition Division (system manager). From June 1980 to June 1982 he served as a military staff assistant to the director of defense test and evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Undersecretary of Defense for Research Engineering and Acquisition, Washington, D.C.
In July 1982 the general returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as deputy for strategic missiles, space, electronic and armament programs, Air Force Acquisition Logistics Division. He became vice commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in April 1983 and in August 1984 commanded the Logistics Operations Center. In July 1985 he became commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center. He was assigned as deputy chief of staff for logistics, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii, in August 1986. General Spiers returned as commander of the Air Force Acquisition Logistics Center in May 1988. He became the commander of the Oklahoma City Air Material Area in September 1989 and retired from there in retiring from there in July 1st, 1994. After retirement, he moved back to his family home planning to restore it.
The general is a command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours. His military awards and decorations include the 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...
, 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...
, Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
, Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
, 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 four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
, Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with five service stars, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe 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...
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished 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...
Defense Meritorious Service MedalDefense Meritorious Service MedalThe Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...
Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
Air MedalAir MedalThe 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 four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service MedalNational Defense Service MedalThe National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalThe Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
Vietnam Service MedalVietnam Service MedalThe Vietnam Service Medal is a military award which was created in 1965 by order of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The distinctive design was the creation of sculptor Thomas Hudson Jones, a former employee of the Army Institute of Heraldry. The medal is issued to recognize military service during...
with five service stars
Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Short
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with five oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry CrossVietnam Gallantry CrossThe Vietnam Gallantry Cross was a military decoration of South Vietnam which wasestablished in August 1950. Also known as the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Gallantry Cross was awarded to any military personnel who have accomplished deeds of valor or displayed heroic conduct while fighting an...
(with Palm)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
He was promoted to major general July 1, 1988, with same date of rank.