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First Name: Robert

Last Name: Oaks

Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Middle Name: C.



Date of Birth: 14 February 1936



Rank: General

Years Served: 1959-1994
Robert C. Oaks

   
Graduate, U.S. Air Force Academy, Class of 1959

Engagements:
•  Vietnam War (1960 - 1973)

Biography:

Robert C. Oaks

General, U.S. Air Force

Robert C. Oaks was born on 14 February 1936 in Los Angeles, CA, to Charles and Ann Oaks. He grew up in Provo, UT, where he graduated from Brigham Young High School in 1954.

In 1959, Oaks was a member of the first class to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Military Science. He earned a Master's degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University in 1967 and graduated from the Naval War College in 1974.

Military Assignments

Upon completing pilot training, Oaks served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. He was once shot down over the Mekong Delta.

He held several key planning and personnel staff positions at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, DC and U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

His command positions included the 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, ID; 86th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Allied Air Forces Southern Europe, in Naples, Italy; Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, TX; and eventually, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

On 1 July 1990, Oaks was promoted to the four-star rank of General. His assignments at that rank included:

• Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE) and Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (COMAAFCE) 1990-1993;

• Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE) and Commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe (COMAIRCENT), 1993-1994.

General Oaks retired from the Air Force in 1994. During his service, he became a Command Pilot.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2 Awards)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (9 Awards)

Badges

Command Pilot Badge

In Retirement

Following his retirement, Oaks was employed at U.S. Airways as Senior Vice President.

In 2000, Oaks resigned from this position when he was called to serve as a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.



Honoree ID: 804   Created by: MHOH

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