Friedman, Robert J. (Robert Joseph), 1913-2003

Robert Joseph Friedman (1913-2003) was born at Bethpage, Long Island, New York, where he attended local schools before entering the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in 1936. He had received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery in the Reserve Officer Corps in 1935, and entered military service after completing his studies. Prior to World War II, he served with the 83rd Field Artillery at Fort Benning, Georgia and in various roles with the Fort Douglas District of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Having left the military briefly, he re-entered at the start of the war and was assigned duties in aircraft maintenance engineering at Headquarters Air Service Command, Wright Field, Ohio. In early 1945, he was sent to England where he served with the 95th Bombardment Group and later at Headquarters, 3rd Air Division at Thetford. Towards the end of the war in Europe, he served in the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns. Friedman returned to the U.S. after the war and served again at Wright Field performing duties related to aircraft engineering. He was transferred soon after to Headquarters, U.S. Army Air Forces in September, 1946. Sent to a command with the Far East Air Forces in 1950, he participated in planning and air policies for the Korean Conflict. In June, 1953, he graduated from the Air War College and assumed the position of Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller, Headquarters Air Defense Command at Ent AFB, Colorado. Between 1956 and 1963, he served in numerous administrative command roles at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, including: Deputy Director and Director of the Budget, Director of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Requirements, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Resources. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller at Andrews AFB, Maryland in 1961. For nearly two years beginning in August, 1967, he served as United Nations Command and Chief of Staff, U.S. Forces Korea. Prior to his retirement from active duty on February 1, 1970, he assumed his final role as Vice Commander of the Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Friedman was a highly decorated officer throughout his Air Force career. Among his numerous decorations were the following: Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force Design) with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design), Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two service stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Korean Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Service Medal, The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (First Class-Knight Grand Cross), and the Korea Order of National Security Merit Second Class. Friedman had achieved the rank of Lieutenant General by the time of his retirement. He died on March 20, 2003.

From the description of Friedman, Robert J. (Robert Joseph), 1913-2003 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10679542