User:William A Roberts/Edmund A. Rafalko

Edmund A. Rafalko General Rafalko was born in 1924, in Stoughton, Mass., where he attended public schools. He was an athletic standout, Valedictorian of his class in 1942 and inducted into the Stoughton High School Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Achievement in 1986. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and in June 1945 completed an accelerated three-year program, graduating with a commission as second lieutenant, his pilot rating, and a bachelor of science degree. While at the academy, he earned letters in football, basketball and baseball.

After transition training in the B-25 and B-26, he flew with the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In January 1948 he returned to the United States as a Strategic Air Command bomber pilot at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Five months later, he joined the 96th Bombardment Squadron, Chatham Air Force Base, Ga., as an aircraft commander.

General Rafalko moved to Hunter Air Force Base, Ga., in November 1950, where he served seven years as aircraft commander in the 96th Bombardment Squadron; commander of the 2d Air Refueling Squadron; and then commander of the 96th Bombardment Squadron.

General Rafalko was transferred to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, in August 1957, to serve first as deputy base commander and then vice commander of the 3970th Combat Support Group.

In September 1960 he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., graduated in June 1961, and joined the staff at the Squadron Officer School. While at Maxwell, he received his master of arts degree from The George Washington University in an off-duty program. In July 1963 General Rafalko began a four-year assignment as director of athletics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.

General Rafalko returned to Strategic Air Command in June 1967 as vice commander of the 2d Bombardment Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and became commander in October 1967. He was transferred to the 4258th Strategic Wing at U-Tapao, Thailand, in November 1968, to serve as vice commander. In January 1970 he became the deputy inspector general at Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

In September 1970 General Rafalko began service with the Air Force Logistics Command as commander of the 2750th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In June 1972 he was transferred to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to be the vice commander of the Ogden Air Materiel Area. He returned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in June 1973, as the deputy chief of staff, Plans and Operations, for the Air Force Logistics Command. In July 1974 General Rafalko assumed duties as commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters. He has accumulated more than 7,000 hours of flying in both reciprocating and jet-engine aircraft and has earned a command pilot rating.

He was promoted to the grade of major general effective April 2, 1973, with date of rank Aug. 1, 1969.

Edmund Anthony Rafalko was born in Stoughton, Massachusetts on August 6, 1924. He was an athletic standout, Valedictorian of his class in 1942 and inducted into the Stoughton High School Hall of Fame for Extraordinary Achievement in 1986. Edmund graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1945 where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football and was selected an by the Associated Press and the Sporting News. He was the last surviving starter of the first National Champion football team of 1944. Highlights of his military career include welcoming President Eisenhower to Spain in 1959. While serving as the fourth Director of Athletics at the Air Force Academy beginning in 1963, he established annual schedules with Army and Navy beginning in 1965 and helped design the Field House. In 1967 he assumed command of his original SAC unit, the 2nd Bombardment Wing at Barksdale AFB and while there, absorbed the 379th Wing from Dow AFB, creating the first B-52 Super Wing. Beginning in 1969 he served as Strategic Wing Vice Commander flying B-52s and KC-135s from U-Tapao, Thailand, completing 127 bombing and refueling missions and earning his third Legion of Merit and six Air Medals. In 1971, as Base Commander of Wright-Patterson AFB, he welcomed President Nixon to dedicate the Air Force Museum and overcame anti-war efforts to close the base and to disrupt operations. As Ogden Air Logistics Commander at Hill AFB, primary missions were expanded to include the newly acquired F-16, in addition to 2,800 F-4 aircraft, 1,000 Minuteman and 54 Titan intercontinental ballistic missiles. During his time in Utah, he collaborated with Frederick I. Herzberg to develop quality and cost efficiency programs. Following a highly distinguished military career, Maj Gen Rafalko retired from the US Air Force on September 1, 1977, earning the Distinguished Service Medal. His decorations include Legion of Merit with two oak clusters, and six Air Medals among many other honors. At retirement he had flown more than 7,000 hours of military flying as Command pilot. He earned a Masters of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University in 1962. Maj Gen Rafalko joined E-Systems in Salt Lake City, Utah and then moved to their corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas as Strategic Planning Director until his retirement in 1987. Maj Gen Rafalko continued his avid support of the military and athletics and remained active through his involvement with many organizations. Among them are the Falcon Foundation at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, the Fort Worth Air Power Council, the Military Ball in Dallas, Texas, the selection committee for nominations to the three military academies on behalf of Congressman Dick Army of Texas, the Service Academy Golf Classic, the North Texas Association of West Point Graduates, the Air Force Association, the Order of Deadalians, the Aviation Heritage Association and the Executive Council of the Military History Center at the University of North Texas. Edmund remained an avid golfer until very recently, having shot below his age on three occasions, at ages 71, 84 and 86