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First Name: Robert

Last Name: Bazley

Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Middle Name: W.



Date of Birth: 05 December 1925

Date of Death: 16 December 2012

Rank: General

Years Served: 1943-1946, 1951-1987
Robert W. Bazley

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Robert W. Bazley

General, U.S. Air Force

Robert W. Bazley was born on 5 December 1925 in Pittsburgh, PA. He graduated from Brentwood High School.

Military Career

Bazley enlisted in September 1943 and entered active duty through the aviation cadet program in January 1944. He received his navigator wings and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces in March 1945.

The end of World War II coincided with his completion of B-29 combat crew training and Bazley was released from active duty in February 1946. He then entered the University of Pittsburgh and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1949.

In November 1951, Bazley was recalled to active duty and served as an RB-26 navigator with the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea. During the Korean War, he flew 50 combat sorties.

Bazley entered pilot training in August 1953 and in August 1954 received his pilot wings. Following F-84 fighter weapons training, he transferred to Royal Air Force Station Wethersfield, England, where he served as a pilot, Flight Commander and Assistant Operations Officer with the 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

From May 1958 to June 1960, Bazley was assigned to the 3502nd U.S. Air Force Recruiting Group with duty in Pittsburgh. He then transferred to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Upon his return to England in April 1965, he served at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath as Operations Officer for the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron and later as Chief, Operations Division, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing. He returned to the U.S. in 1967 and completed the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1968.

In August 1968, he Commanded the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, at Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. He flew 257 combat missions in F-100s. From September 1969 to June 1970, Bazley served in the Directorate of Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC. He then joined the Directorate of Operations in the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Bazley served as Commander of Randolph AFB, TX, from June-November 1972. He then moved to Laredo AFB, TX, and assumed Command of the 38th Flying Training Wing.

From October 1973 to August 1975, he commanded the 323rd Flying Training Wing at Mather AFB, CA. He was then assigned as Inspector General for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He became the command's Assistant for Readiness in June 1976.

He took Command of the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center at Norton AFB, CA, in May 1978. From July 1979 to June 1980, he commanded Sheppard Technical Training Center, Sheppard AFB, TX. He then returned to England as Commander of 3rd Air Force at Royal Air Force Station Mildenhall. Bazley returned to Ramstein Air Base in July 1981 as Vice Commander- in-Chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Two years later he assumed duties as Inspector General of the U.S. Air Force at Air Force Headquarters. He was responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff for U.S. Air Force inspection, safety, security, investigative, complaint, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence programs.

He assumed Command of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, HI, in September 1984 and was promoted to the rank of four-star General on 1 November 1984.

General Bazley retired from the Air Force on 1 January 1987. During his service, Bazley became a Command Pilot and Navigator with over 4,500 flying hours.

Medals and Awards

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)

Distinguished Flying Cross (2 Awards)

Bronze Star Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal (16 Awards)

Air Force Commendation Medal (2 Awards)

Badges

Command Pilot Badge
Navigator Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Honors

Bazley was inducted into the Order of the Sword by the non-commissioned officers of U.S. Air Forces in Europe in May 1983 when he served as Vice Commander of that organization. This award is given for conspicuous and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the non-commissioned officers' corps.

Death and Burial

General Robert W. Bazley passed away quietly at his home in Chapel Hill, NC, on 16 December 2012 in the company of his wife, Sandra, and her son, Jeff. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dolores B. Bazley, on 4 June 2002. She is buried next to him at Arlington National Cemetery.



Honoree ID: 440   Created by: MHOH

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