Hoyt Vandenberg graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1923. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Army Air Forces during World War II, earning a Silver Star among other awards. Transferring to the new U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947, he served from 1947 to 1948 as the FIRST Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and subsequently from 1948 to 1953 as the SECOND Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He retired in 1953 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.
Sponsored by:
Hoyt
Sanford
Vandenberg
January 24, 1899
–
April 2, 1954
Born:
Milwaukee
,
Wisconsin
Home:
Lowell
,
Massachusetts
Buried:
Arlington
,
Virginia
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
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Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Brigadier GeneralDivision:
Northwest African Strategic Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, Northwest African Strategic Air Force, General Orders No. 5 (April 14, 1943)(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 Brigadier General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Chief of Staff of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force, in aerial operations in the North Africa Theater of Operations, in 1942 and 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Brigadier General Vandenberg, 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.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Northwest African Strategic Air ForceAction Date:
1943 – 1944
Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff of the TWELFTH Air Force and subsequent as Chief of Staff of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force from 1943 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Vandenberg and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
Northwest African Strategic Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Unites States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Chief of Staff, Northwest African Strategic Air Force, in 1943. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Army Air CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
April 18, 1939 – June 30, 1941
War Department General Orders No. 46 (1943), Amended by General Orders No. 20 (March 29, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving in the Office of the Chief of the Air Corps from 18 April 1939 to 30 June 1941. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Vandenberg and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
1944
War Department, General Orders No. 89 (November 28, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the NINTH Air Force for his part in planning the invasion of Normandy, France in 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Vandenberg and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 27 (July 10, 1953)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg (ASN: 0-15355/4A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1947 to 1948, and subsequently as Chief of Staff of the Air Force from 1948 to 1953. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Vandenberg 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.