Navy Federal Credit Union

Leon Kiley was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1939 upon graduation from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1969 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1955 – 1958

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Leo Austin Kiley, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief and subsequently as Chief of the Research Directorate’s Biophysics Division, Air Force Special Weapons Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, from 1955 to 1958. General Kiley was involved in defining personnel hazards associated with radiation from nuclear weapons. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Kiley 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:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1959 – 1964

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Leo Austin Kiley, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Weapons Effects and Tests Group, Field Command, Defense Atomic Support Agency, from 1959 to 1963. In this important position General Kiley managed the nuclear weapons effects tests programs in Nevada and Pacific areas. From 1963 to 1964 General Kiley managed all Department of Defense weapons effects tests at the Nevada and Pacific test sites, the last series of U.S. nuclear tests in the atmosphere before the current nuclear test ban treaty. He also played a major role in formulating plans for the nation’s present underground nuclear test program. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Kiley and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.