Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Jr.

Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg, Jr. (born August 12, 1928) is a retired Major General in the United States Air Force.

Biography
Vandenberg was born in Riverside, California in 1928. His father was General Hoyt Vandenberg and his great uncle was U.S. Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg. Vandenberg would obtain a M.S. in International Relations from George Washington University in 1969.

Career
Vandenberg graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1951. In 1953 Vandenberg was assigned to the 86th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Later he would serve as a flight commander with the 413th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing. He graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in 1961, after which he was assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing. In 1963 Vandenberg was appointed Operations Officer with the 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. During the Vietnam War Vandenberg commanded the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Upon returning stateside he was assigned to The Pentagon to work in the Office of the Director of Plans. He would graduate from the National War College in 1969 and return to The Pentagon to work with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1971 Vandenberg became commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing. Vandenberg was named Vice Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy in 1972. He would serve as Commandant from 1973 to 1975, during which time he assumed the rank of Brigadier General. From 1976 to 1979 Vandenberg served at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, first as Deputy Director of Plans, later as Director of Operations and Readiness, and finally as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Readiness. Vandenberg was ultimately named Vice Commander in Chief of the Pacific Air Forces. His retirement was effective as of January 1, 1981.

Awards he has received include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters and bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Outstanding Unit Award, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross.