Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Spoor
Samuel
December 24, 1913

–

April 1, 2002

Born:

St. Louis

, 

Missouri

Home:

Hinsdale

, 

Illinois

Buried: 

Colorado Springs

, 

Colorado

Cemetery:

U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery

John Samuel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1939. He retired in 1972 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1961 – 1963
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. G-78 & G-86 (1963)

    (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 Brigadier General John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), 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 of the Air Force Task Group and Deputy Commander for Air of Joint Task Force 8, which planned and conducted the DOMINIC series of nuclear tests in the Pacific from 1961 to 1963. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Samuel 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:

    322d Bombardment Group (M)

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 66 (May 8, 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) John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Command Pilot of a B-26 Marauder Bomber and as Commanding Officer of the 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), NINTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, in 1944 and 1945. Colonel Samuel led a formation of Marauder Bombers in an attack that destroyed an important German bridge. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Colonel Samuel, 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:

    Weapons Systems Evaluation Group

    Action Date:

    1968 – 1970
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), 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 as Senior Air Force Member, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, from 1968 to 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Samuel 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:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    Bombardment Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer of a Bombardment Group, NINTH Air Force, 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    1953 – 1956
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), 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 from 1953 to 1956. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Samuel 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:

    Major General

    Division:

    Lowry Air Field

    Action Date:

    1971 – 1972
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John Spoor Samuel (ASN: 0-21742), 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 Commanding General, Lowry Air Field, from 1971 to 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Samuel 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.