Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Seth
Jefferson
McKee
November 6, 1916

–

December 26, 2016

Born:

McGehee

, 

Arkansas

Home:

Cape Girardeau

, 

Missouri

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Seth McKee entered military service as a member of the Missouri National Guard in 1935. After serving as a Fighter Pilot in the Army Air Forces in World War II, earning a Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1973 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    370th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Seth Jefferson McKee, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 370th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Force of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1973

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Seth Jefferson McKee, United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Commander in Chief of North American Air Defense Command and Continental Air Defense Command (NORAD/CONAD), with headquarters at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, and subsequently with additional duty as Commander of U.S. Aerospace Defense Command, from 1969 to 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McKee culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Seth Jefferson McKee, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McKee and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    370th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 34 (February 26, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Colonel (Air Corps) Seth Jefferson McKee (ASN: 0-373845), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 370th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel McKee, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Seth Jefferson McKee, United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McKee and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Seth Jefferson McKee, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General McKee and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.