Meyer, John C. (John Charles), 1919-1975

John C. Meyer (b. Apr. 3, 1919, Brooklyn, N.Y.-d. Dec. 2, 1975), U.S. Air Force officer, received his commission and pilot wings in 1940 after graduating from college. During World War II, he was assigned to the 8th Air Force in England and commanded the 487th Fighter Squadron. Later in the War he served as deputy commander, 352nd Fighter Group, and was the leading American Ace in Europe, flying 200 combat missions. In 1950 he assumed command of the 4th Fighter Group and took his F-86 Sabrejet group to Korea, participating in the first UN offensive campaign. In 1963, General Meyer became commander, Tactical Air Command's 12th Air Force, and later was selected as vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. He ended his career as commander in chief of the Strategic Air Command and the director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff. He retired in 1974.

General. USAF, 1939-1974. Born 3 April 1919, Brooklyn, NY. AB, Dartmouth College, 1947. Air War College, 1956. Flying Cadet, 1939-1940; commissioned Second Lieutenant, Air Reserve, July 1940. Career assignments include: various duties as company and field grade officer, 1940-1959; Commander, 57th Air Division, 1959-1961; Commander, 45th Air Division, 1961-1962; Deputy Director of Plans, HQ Strategic Air Command (SAC), 1962-1963; Commander, Twelfth Air Force, 1963-1966; successively Deputy Director and Vice Director, The Joint Staff, Office of Joint Chief of Staff, 1966-1967; Director for Operations, OJCS, 1967-1969; Vice Chief of Staff, HQ USAF, 1969-1972; concurrently Commander-in-Chief, HQ SAC, and Director, Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, 1972-1974. Retired August 1974. Died 2 December 1975, Marina del Rey, CA.