Thatcher, Herbert B. (Herbert Bishop), 1909-1986

Air Force officer.

Herbert Bishop Thatcher (1909-1986) was born in East Orange, New Jersey, and attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he graduated in 1932. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army. After completing flight instruction and attending the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas, he was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1936. After his transfer, he served as a pilot in reconnaissance and bomber units at various Army Air Bases around the U.S. and the Territory of Hawaii until September, 1942. As World War II progressed, Thatcher was assigned to the European Theater and served in command roles with the 323rd Bomb Group, and later, with the 99th Combat Wing. In October, 1945, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces. Returning home after the war, he served at Andrews Field, Maryland, and Olmstead Army Air Base, Pennsylvania, before being redeployed to the Far East. In 1947, Thatcher assumed command of the 314th Composite Wing at Headquarters, 5th Air Force, Japan. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1949, he served in both the Continental Air Command and the Air Defense Command. In 1951, he assumed command of the Western Air Defense Force, headquartered at Hamilton AFB, California. From January, 1952 until July, 1956, Thatcher was assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, at Washington, D.C. His administrative and command roles included Deputy Director of Plans, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development. In July, 1956, he was appointed Deputy Commander in Chief for U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Wiesbaden, Germany, and in April, 1958, became Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group until August, 1960. Thatcher then returned to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force and was assigned various roles with the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1961, he was promoted to Chief of Staff, United Nations Command with U.S. Forces in Korea. Thatcher returned to the U.S. to become Commander of the Air Defense Command in August, 1963. He would retire from duty as a General in 1967. Thatcher''s career achievements were numerous; among them were the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal and Purple Heart. He also received several foreign decorations, including the British Distinguished Flying Cross, French Legion of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre with palm.