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William Fulton McKee

Vice-Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency

Chronology of His Life and Career

Born in Chilhowie, Virginia, on October 17, 1906.

Graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps on June 13, 1929.

First assigned to 13th Coast Artillery at Fort Barrancas, Florida.

Spent two years as a battery officer in the First Coast Artillery at Fort Randolph, Panama.

Transferred to the 63rd Coast Artillery at Fort MacArthur, California, where he served as Battery Commander, Assistant Adjutant of the Harbor Defenses of Los Angeles, and later as Executive Officer of the Civilian Conservation Corps in that area.

Completed a course at the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia, in June 1936, and then sent to the Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippines, as Regimental Adjutant, plans training and intelligence officer, and Battery Commander of the 63rd Coast Artillery.

Transferred to the Presidio at San Francisco, California, as an assistant to G-2 of 9th Corps Area in October 1938.

Promoted to Captain in June 1939.

Transferred to Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico as Battery Commander of the 66th Coast Artillery in October 1938. Later became Commanding Officer of the 66th, which was transferred to Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico. Then served as Executive Officer of the Caribbean Interceptor Command.

Promoted to Major in October 1941.

Assigned to the 71st Coast Artillery at Fort Story, Virginia, as 1st Batallion Commanding Officer and Regimental Adjutant. Continued same duties when his division moved to the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, Virginia.

Moved to the Headquarters of the Army Air Forces in January 1942. Later appointed Chief of the Anti-Aircraft and Airdrome Defense Section and Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division. Soon thereafter, he became Executive Officer for the Directorate of Air Defense

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in February 1942, and to Colonel in September 1942.

Became Deputy Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations, Committments and Requirements in November 1943.

Promoted to Brigadier General in February 1945.

Appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Transport Command, with headquarters at Washington, D.C., in January 1946.

Became Commanding General of the Air Transport Command European Division, stationed at Paris, France, in August 1946. Transferred to U.S. Air Force Headquarters at Wiesbaden, Germany, in August 1946, and became Commanding General of the Headquarters Command at Wiesbaden in September.

Returned to the United States in August 1947.

Appointed Assistant Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force on September 27, 1947.

Promoted to Major General in February 1948.

Assigned to Headquarters Air Materiel Command as Vice Commander on June 10, 1953. The Command was redesignated Air Force Logistics Command on June 10, 1953.

Pesented the first annual Distinguished Management Award of the Air Force Association on July 31, 1957.

Promoted to 3-Star General in August 1957.

Became a 4-Star General and assumed the post of Commander of the Air Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on August 1, 1961.

Moved to Washington, D.C., and became Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force on July 1, 1962.

Retired from active duty on July 1, 1964. Received a Distinguished Service Medal from President Lyndon B. Johnson in a ceremony at the White House.

Became Assistant Administrator for Management Development at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on September 1, 1964.

Became Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency on July 1, 1965. Held position through Johnson's administration.

Served as president of Schriever-McKee Associates from 1968 to 1987.

Died in San Antonio, Texas, on February 28, 1987. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

SOURCES
Arlington National Cemetery www.arlingtoncemetery.net
New York Times www.nytimes.com

SEE ALSO
United States Military Academy at West Point
President Lyndon B. Johnson

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