BRIGADIER GENERAL ROGER M. CROW
Retired July 1, 1967

Brigadier General Roger M. Crow was born in Topeka, Kan., in 1914. He completed his formal education at Kansas State College in 1938, receiving a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. 

His military career began in October 1938 when he was appointed a flying cadet. Upon graduation from primary and advanced flying schools at Randolph and Kelly fields in Texas, he was rated a pilot and commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Reserves Aug. 26, 1939. He went on to receive his regular commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Corps July 1, 1940. General Crow's first assignment was as a flight instructor at Randolph Field, Texas. 

He served as commanding officer of the Civil Contract Flying School at Coleman, Texas from April 22, 1942 until Jan. 17, 1943. Later in 1943 he entered the Air Command and Staff School and upon graduation the following August was named training inspector at Ellington Field, Texas. In 1944 he completed Advanced Navigation Training at San Marcos, Texas, where he remained as director of training for approximately one year. The following year he was assigned to the Air Transport Command and served as assistant chief of staff, personnel, European Division, ATC. In March 1946, he became commanding officer of Ciampino Air Field at Rome, Italy and in June 1947 he was named commanding officer of Orly Field, Paris, France. 

General Crow returned to the United States in September 1947 and became chief, Plans Division, Headquarters Air Transport Command. His next assignment came Dec. 1, 1948, as chief, Strategy and Mobilization Branch, Plans Division, Headquarters Military Air Transport Command. On April 1, 1950 he was reassigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force with duty in the Directorate of Operations. 

On Feb. 1. 1951, General Crow became commanding officer of Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., where he served until July 1, 1953. Following this assignment, General Crow attended the 1953-54 class at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Upon completion of this school, he was assigned as deputy commander, 96th Bomb Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Okla., where he served until assuming command of the 43d Bomb Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., July 2, 1956. He was appointed director of operations for Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force July 20, 1958, and July 15, 1960, became deputy commander, 1st Strategic Aerospace Division, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. On Sept. 1, 1962 General Crow assumed duty as commander, 821 Strategic Aerospace Division (SAC), at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. 

General Crow has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Air Medal, Commendation Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Italy), and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He is rated a command pilot and navigator.