Richard C Sanders

American military figure, the youngest general officer in the history of the United States Air Force. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1937, with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was appointed a second lieutenant, Field Artillery Reserve on 4 September 1936, while still in college. He served on extended active duty from 28 July 1937 to 30 June 1938, and from 5 July 1938 to 30 September 1938. He then enlisted as a flying cadet on 4 October 1938, and, on completion of his training, was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Reserve, on 25 August 1939. He was called to active duty the next day and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Corps, Regular Army, on 1 July 1940. He was assigned to the IX Bomber Command in August 1942, and served overseas in the North African and European Theater of Operations as executive officer of a Bombardment Group, chief of staff, XX Bomber Command, and in November 1943, became commanding officer of a bombardment group. In January 1944, he was named administrative officer of the IX Bomber Command in the European Theater of Operations, promoted to Brigadier General June 1944 (age 28), and in November 1944, was announced as chief of staff of the IX Bomber Command which was then serving in France. In August 1945, he became commanding general of the 99th Bomber Group in Germany and three months later, was assigned to Headquarters Air Forces Personnel Distribution Command, Louisville, Kentucky. In March 1946, he was announced as commanding that installation. The same month his appointment as a brigadier general was terminated and he was administratively reduced to the rank of colonel. He retired on 1 July 1950. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in January 1943, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the Middle East Theater. In January 1943, he was also given the Air Medal and won two oak leaf clusters in January 1944. In January 1946, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He died on 20 September 1976. Link to Wikipedia biography