United States Air Force General. His military career ended under a cloud in April 1972, when he was removed from command after allegations he ordered unauthorized bombing missions into North Vietnam and authorized falsification of reports to conceal those missions. Lavelle retired in 1972 in the grade of Major General, two grades lower than the last grade he served on active duty. In August 2010, Lavelle was nominated posthumously by President Barack Obama for advancement on the retired rolls to his former rank, after investigation determined he had been authorized by President Richard Nixon to conduct the missions. Investigation turned up no evidence Lavelle falsified the pertinent records or knew of their existence, and in fact showed he took corrective actions. A 1938 graduate of John Carroll University, he received his pilot wings and a commission in the Army Air Corps in June 1940. During World War II he saw combat in Europe, where he served with the 412th Fighter Squadron. When the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate Service in 1947, he was one of two Air Force officers who helped divide assets and responsibilities with the Army. In the 1950s, he helped lead Air Force supply and support in the Korean War, and assisted in the development of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as the East Coast's primary aerial port. In the 1960s, he led numbered Air Force-size elements of the German, French and Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Air Forces for NATO in Europe, directed Air Force aerospace programs and commanded Seventeenth Air Force in Germany, overseeing operations spanning Europe, parts of the Mediterranean and Libya. In 1970 he was vice commander of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, then was named commander of Seventh Air Force and deputy commander for air operations, U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam.
United States Air Force General. His military career ended under a cloud in April 1972, when he was removed from command after allegations he ordered unauthorized bombing missions into North Vietnam and authorized falsification of reports to conceal those missions. Lavelle retired in 1972 in the grade of Major General, two grades lower than the last grade he served on active duty. In August 2010, Lavelle was nominated posthumously by President Barack Obama for advancement on the retired rolls to his former rank, after investigation determined he had been authorized by President Richard Nixon to conduct the missions. Investigation turned up no evidence Lavelle falsified the pertinent records or knew of their existence, and in fact showed he took corrective actions. A 1938 graduate of John Carroll University, he received his pilot wings and a commission in the Army Air Corps in June 1940. During World War II he saw combat in Europe, where he served with the 412th Fighter Squadron. When the U.S. Air Force was established as a separate Service in 1947, he was one of two Air Force officers who helped divide assets and responsibilities with the Army. In the 1950s, he helped lead Air Force supply and support in the Korean War, and assisted in the development of McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as the East Coast's primary aerial port. In the 1960s, he led numbered Air Force-size elements of the German, French and Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Air Forces for NATO in Europe, directed Air Force aerospace programs and commanded Seventeenth Air Force in Germany, overseeing operations spanning Europe, parts of the Mediterranean and Libya. In 1970 he was vice commander of Pacific Air Forces at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, then was named commander of Seventh Air Force and deputy commander for air operations, U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam.
Bio by: John Andrew Prime
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Lavelle memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
