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Walter Kross
United States general / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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General Walter Kross (born October 3, 1942)[1] is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Transportation Command/Commander, Air Mobility Command from 1996 to 1998.
Walter Kross | |
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Born | (1942-10-03) October 3, 1942 (age 81) Bronx, New York |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1964–1998 |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Air Mobility Command United States Transportation Command 15th Air Force 436th Military Airlift Wing |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (3) |
Kross was commissioned through Officer Training School in December 1964. His early career combined both fighter and airlift experience as he flew 157 F-4 combat missions, 100 over North Vietnam. He later transitioned to airlift, then senior executive and congressional pilot support. He was assigned to Headquarters United States Air Force for six years, part of that time in the Chief's Staff Group. He has served as commander of a C-5 wing, as director of operations and logistics for all defense transportation requirements in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and as director of operations for Air Force headquarters. Additionally, Kross was commander of the provisional force in charge of standing up Air Mobility Command, as well as its first vice commander. He was also commander of 15th Air Force, Travis Air Force Base, California, then director, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.