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 General Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), 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, Tactical Air Command, from 1 October 1961 to 9 October 1963. General Sweeney’s dynamic leadership, initiative, and dedicated efforts materially influenced Army-Air Force relationships by creating a degree of rapport, cooperation, and understanding, which greatly increased national and international effectiveness of military planning and operations. The achievements of General Sweeney in this important assignment are in keeping with the highest standards of performance and traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
15th Air ForceAction Date:
1953 – 1955
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding General of the FIFTEENTH Air Force from 1953 to 1955. 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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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
73d Bombardment WingDivision:
20th Air ForceAction Date:
March 9, 1945
Headquarters, XXI Bomber Command, General Orders No. 41 (March 14, 1945)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) Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Command Pilot of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber of the 73d Bombardment Wing, TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial operations on 9 March 1945. Colonel Sweeney was participating in the greatest mass flight of B-29 aircraft ever dispatched against a single target. The historical very long range low altitude attack was a carefully planned and superbly executed incendiary mission launched from bases in the Mariana Islands against urban Tokyo. Three Hundred B-29 aircraft dropped the greatest load of bombs ever carried over such a vast distance. With exceptional precision and with devastating effect plane after plane released its bomb load with an efficiency, thoroughness and intrepidity that left transportation and communication facilities, plants and installations a mass of blazing wreckage. By this bold stroke the enemy suffered a crushing blow, resulting in the complete destruction of 15 square miles of Japan’s capitol city and the devastation of large industrial targets. Colonel Sweeney by his untiring efforts and initiative aided immeasurably in the careful and efficient preparation of this wing for its assigned task. His outstanding bravery and courageous leadership in the face of enemy opposition during this attack were a distinct contribution to the eminently successful conduct of this mission and will always be worthy of emulation.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Bombardment SquadronRegiment:
11th Bombardment Group (H)Division:
Hawaiian Air ForceAction Date:
June 3 – 6, 1942
Headquarters, Hawaiian Department, U.S. Army, General Orders No. 155 (September 24, 1942)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber and Commander of the 431st Bombardment Squadron, 11th Bombardment Group (H), HAWAIIAN Air Force. Colonel Sweeney led his squadron in action at Midway Island against the Japanese Fleet from 3 to 6 June 1942, being opposed by enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire which demanded the highest type of courage. The extraordinary leadership and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Sweeney have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Hawaiian Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
GeneralAction Date:
October 10, 1963 – July 31, 1965
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. GB-200 (July 31, 1965)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 General Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), 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, Tactical Air Command, from 10 October 1963 to 31 July 1965. During this period, General Sweeney’s outstanding professional knowledge, forceful leadership, and initiative resulted in the development of tactical weapons and air mobility concepts, specifically tailored to the global requirements of the Air Force. Throughout this period of increasingly dangerous tension and recurrent crises, his superb command ability and enthusiasm for realistic military training were major factors in the improved responsiveness of the Tactical Air Command to support the world-wide commitments of the United States. General Sweeney’s personal efforts in welding the various elements of the Tactical Air command into a cohesive and outstandingly effective organization were vitally significant to the security of the United States and the Free World. In this important assignment, he has consistently demonstrated professional qualities which are in the best traditions of the military service. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Sweeney culminate a long and distinguished career of more than 35 years in the service of his country, and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Action Date:
1942 – 1944
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), 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 from 1942 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sweeney 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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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
73d Bombardment WingAction Date:
1944 – 1945
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Walter Campbell Sweeney, Jr. (ASN: 0-18080), 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 with the 73d Bombardment Wing, from 1944 to 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Sweeney and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.