Stearley, Ralph F. (Ralph Francis), 1898-1973

Ralph Francis Stearley (b. 1898, Brazil, Ind.-d. Feb. 1, 1973), U.S. Air Force officer, was a West Point graduate who transferred to the Air Corps in 1925 and obtained his pilot wings the following year. He served for two years with the 4th Composite Group in the Philippines in the late 1920s. Following further education, he served on the Canadian-American Military Board and was appointed chief, Air Group of the Military Intelligence Service of the War Department General Staff. In 1944 he joined the 9th Tactical Air Force in Europe as operations officer. Later in the War, he served as operations officer, Allied Airborne Army; commanding general, 9th Tactical Air Division of the 9th Air Force operating in France and Northern Germany; and commander, Air Section, 15th Army Theater General Board in Europe. He became commanding general, 20th Air Force, on Okinawa in 1950.