Lawrence J. Fleming
Encyclopedia
Lawrence J. Fleming was a Major General
in the United States Air Force
.
in 1922. He would attend St. Norbert College
. Fleming died on September 2, 2006.
in 1942. He was commissioned an officer in 1944. During World War II
he served with the 55th Fighter Group
. Following the war he was assigned to the 1st Fighter Group
before being transferred to the 94th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
. Later he served as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force
of the United Kingdom
, during which time he piloted a Gloster Meteor
. In 1955 he was assigned to the 327th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
. Fleming would later be assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group
. While serving with the MAAG he would complete parachutist training with the Belgian Army. He was later assigned to the 29th Air Division before being given the command of the 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
and the 343d Composite Group
. During the Vietnam War
he piloted a Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Later in his career he would become Chief of Staff of the United States Southern Command
in the Panama Canal Zone
. His retirement was effective as of September 1, 1975.
Awards he received include the Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Meritorious Service Medal
, the Air Medal
with silver oak leaf cluster and bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal
with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Outstanding Unit Award
with oak leaf cluster.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in the United States Air Force
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...
.
Biography
Fleming was born in Green Bay, WisconsinGreen Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
in 1922. He would attend St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College
St. Norbert College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Founded in October 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Norbertine priest and educator, the school was named after Saint Norbert of Xanten. In 1952, the college became coeducational and today enrolls about 2,175...
. Fleming died on September 2, 2006.
Career
Fleming originally enlisted in the United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
in 1942. He was commissioned an officer in 1944. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served with the 55th Fighter Group
55th Operations Group
The 55th Operations Group is a component of the 55th Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska....
. Following the war he was assigned to the 1st Fighter Group
1st Operations Group
The 1st Operations Group is the flying component of the 1st Fighter Wing, assigned to the USAF Air Combat Command. The group is stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. The 1st Operations Group is the oldest major air combat unit in the United States Air Force, being a successor organization...
before being transferred to the 94th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
94th Fighter Squadron
The 94th Fighter Squadron ' is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 1st Operations Group and stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia....
. Later he served as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, during which time he piloted a Gloster Meteor
Gloster Meteor
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. It first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force...
. In 1955 he was assigned to the 327th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
327th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 327th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 64th Air Division stationed at Thule AB, Greenland. It was inactivated on March 25, 1960-History:...
. Fleming would later be assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group
Military Assistance Advisory Group
Military Assistance Advisory Group is a designation for American military advisers sent to assist in the training of conventional armed forces of Third World countries. Before and during the Vietnam War, there were three of these groups operating in Southeast Asia...
. While serving with the MAAG he would complete parachutist training with the Belgian Army. He was later assigned to the 29th Air Division before being given the command of the 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 13th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Minot Air Defense Sector, stationed at Glasgow Air Force Base, Montana. It was inactivated on 30 June 1968-History:...
and the 343d Composite Group
343d Composite Wing
The 343d Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Alaskan Air Command, stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. It was inactivated on 20 August 1993-History:...
. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
he piloted a Douglas A-1 Skyraider. Later in his career he would become Chief of Staff of the United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
. His retirement was effective as of September 1, 1975.
Awards he received 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...
with two oak leaf clusters, the 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...
, the 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...
, the 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 silver oak leaf cluster and bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Outstanding Unit Award
Outstanding Unit Award
The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is an award of the United States Air Force which was first created in 1954. The award is presented as a ribbon to any command of the U.S...
with oak leaf cluster.