William Kirk received his commission and pilot wings in 1954. During the Vietnam War, as a fighter pilot, he was credited with destroying two enemy aircraft in aerial combat, and earned two Silver Stars and five Distinguished Flying Crosses. He retired in 1989 as a U.S. Air Force 4-Star General.
Sponsored by:
William
L.
Kirk
1932-07-11
–
Born:
Rayville
,
Louisiana
Home:
Rayville
,
Louisiana
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Silver Star
-
Legion of Merit
-
Silver Star
-
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. 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.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William L. Kirk, 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 Kirk and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.
-
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William L. Kirk, 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, U.S. Air Forces Central Europe, with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, West Germany, from 1987 to 1989. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Kirk 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.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General William L. Kirk, 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 Kirk 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 Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. 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.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorRegiment:
8th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, ThailandAction Date:
Vietnam War
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major William L. Kirk, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as an F-4 Fighter Pilot of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in aerial combat in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1968. 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.