John W. Handy Explained

John W. Handy
Birth Date:29 April 1944
Birth Place:Raleigh, North Carolina
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Air Force
Serviceyears:1967–2005
Rank:General
Commands:United States Transportation Command
Air Mobility Command
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
21st Air Force
Tanker Airlift Control Center
Battles:Vietnam War
Gulf War
Awards:
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)

John William Handy[1] (born April 29, 1944)[2] is a retired United States Air Force officer. Serving from 1967 to 2005, he reached the rank of general and held a number of high-ranking commands.

Handy was commissioned in 1967, and received his pilot wings in 1968. His early commands included the 21st Air Force at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey; the Air Mobility Command's Tanker Airlift Control Center; two airlift wings; and a maintenance squadron. He then served as director of operations and logistics for the United States Transportation Command; director of programs and evaluations; and deputy chief of staff for installations and logistics with the Air Staff in Washington, D.C. His final two postings were as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, from 2000 to 2001, and Commander of the United States Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, from October 2001 until September 2005.

Handy is a command pilot with more than 5,000 flying hours, principally in airlift aircraft. As a C-130 Hercules pilot, he logged more than 300 combat hours in Southeast Asia.

Education

Flight information

Awards and decorations

Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Antarctica Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other achievements

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate . Biographical and Financial Information Requested of Nominees . 2002 . 1506–1508 . U.S. Government Printing Office . Washington, D.C. . 9780160692970 . 2021-03-30.
  2. http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=1223 U.S. Dept of Defense News Release