Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Joseph
James
Nazzaro
March 21, 1913

–

February 5, 1990

Born:

New York

, 

New York

Home:

New York

, 

New York

Buried: 

Colorado Springs

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery

Joseph Nazzaro graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1936. After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, in which he earned 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 1971 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    381st Bombardment Group (H)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 197 (October 30, 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 Colonel (Air Corps) Joseph James Nazzaro (ASN: 0-20364), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Command Pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy), EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Nazzaro, 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:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    Department of the Air Force

    Action Date:

    1957 – 1959
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Joseph James Nazzaro, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Personnel Planning, Department of the Air Force, from 1957 to 1959. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Nazzaro and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    381st Bombardment Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Joseph James Nazzaro, United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 381st Bombardment Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. 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 Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Division:

    Pacific Air Forces

    Action Date:

    1969 – 1971
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Joseph James Nazzaro, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of 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, Pacific Air Force, from 1969 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Nazzaro 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 Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Strategic Air Forces in Europe

    Action Date:

    1944
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Joseph James Nazzaro, 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 Director of Operations, Strategic Air Forces in Europe, in 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Nazzaro and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    Strategic Air Command

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Joseph James Nazzaro, 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 as Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Air Command, from 1967 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Nazzaro and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    1962 – 1964
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB-33 (1965)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Lieutenant General Joseph James Nazzaro, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, EIGHTH Air Force, from 1962 to 1964. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Nazzaro 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 Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    316th Bombardment Wing

    Action Date:

    1945 – 1946
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Joseph James Nazzaro, United States Army Air Forces, 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 as Chief of Staff and Commanding Officer of the 316th Bombardment Wing, in the Pacific, from 1945 to 1946. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Nazzaro and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    1947 – 1949
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Joseph James Nazzaro, 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 at the Air Command and Staff School, Maxwell, Air Force Base, from 1947 to 1949. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Nazzaro and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.