Richard Barron Goetze

MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD BARRON GOETZE JR.
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: 12

Major General Richard Barron "Dick" Goetze Jr. is a cornerstone of the "First Class," the United States Air Force Academy Class of 1959. Born in 1935 in New York City and raised in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, his journey from the inaugural cadet wing to the highest levels of the Joint Staff is marked by a rare combination of combat bravery and deep intellectual scholarship.

A LIFE OF COMMITMENT
Upon graduation and commissioning in 1959, Dick took part in the storied "June Week" tradition, marrying his wife, Patricia. Like the majority of his fellow pioneers in the Class of '59, this union represented the beginning of a life of faithful commitment in all aspects—family, faith, and nation. This foundation of stability supported him through three decades of high-stakes global service.

MASTER OF THE SKIES
General Goetze’s aviation career is nothing short of remarkable. A Command Pilot, he logged more than 7,800 flying hours—an extraordinary total that stands as a testament to his decades of operational dedication. His time in the cockpit spanned from the early days of the C-118 to the heavy strategic power of the B-52. During the Vietnam War, he volunteered for combat duty with the 4th Air Commando Squadron at Pleiku Air Base, flying the AC-47 "Spooky" gunship. He flew more than 280 combat missions and logged 1,200 combat hours in the South Vietnamese theater, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and 14 Air Medals for his skill and valor.

SCHOLARSHIP AND GLOBAL STRATEGY
Beyond his flight gear, Dick is one of the Air Force's premier intellectuals. His career is defined by a profound expertise in Latin American Affairs. Selected as a George Olmsted Foundation Scholar, he achieved fluency in Spanish and completed postgraduate studies at the University of Buenos Aires. This expertise was put into direct action when he served as the U.S. Air and Defense Attaché to Argentina (1976–1978), navigating a complex period in South American history with diplomatic precision.

His strategic reach was global; he earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University and later served as the Chief of the Middle East and Africa Division at Headquarters USAF. In this role, he managed sensitive military training and exercises in Northern Africa and the Middle East, proving to be a vital asset in politico-military affairs during a period of significant regional tension.

HIGH COMMAND AND BEYOND
In the 1980s, General Goetze transitioned into senior leadership, commanding the 320th Bombardment Wing and the 40th Air Division. His military career culminated at the Pentagon, where he served as the Vice Director of the Joint Staff. In this capacity, he was a primary architect of the nation’s strategic nuclear war plans, ensuring the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) remained a credible deterrent during the final years of the Cold War.

Following his retirement in 1989, Dick continued to lead as the President and CEO of the College of Aeronautics at LaGuardia Airport. A man of deep faith, he has remained an active servant in his church and a steadfast advocate for the Air Force Academy, epitomizing the "First Class" spirit in both his military and civilian life.

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MEDALS AND AWARDS
• Defense Distinguished Service Medal
• Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
• Defense Superior Service Medal
• Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Air Medal (with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters)
• Air Force Commendation Medal

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EDUCATION & SERVICE HISTORY
Year Duty / Position / Education Location
1959 B.S., U.S. Air Force Academy Colorado Springs, CO
1959 Squadron Officer School Maxwell AFB, AL
1959–1960 Pilot Training (Honors Graduate) Bartow AB, FL / Craig AFB, AL
1960–1963 C-118 Co-Pilot / Aide to Vice Commander McGuire AFB, NJ
1963 Spanish Language, Inst. of Modern Languages Washington, D.C.
1964–1966 Postgraduate, University of Buenos Aires Argentina
1967 M.A., Latin American Studies, American Univ. Washington, D.C.
1967–1968 Pilot, 4th Air Commando Squadron (AC-47) Pleiku AB, South Vietnam
1968–1973 Politico-Military Affairs Officer HQ USAF, Washington, D.C.
1971 Air Command and Staff College Correspondence
1973 Ph.D., International Relations, American Univ. Washington, D.C.
1973–1976 Commander, 28th Bomb Squadron (B-52) Robins AFB, GA
1976 Air War College Maxwell AFB, AL
1976–1978 US Air & Defense Attaché Buenos Aires, Argentina
1978–1979 Chief, Middle East & Africa Division HQ USAF, Washington, D.C.
1979–1982 Commander, 320th Bomb Wing Mather AFB, CA
1982 Exec. Development, University of Houston Houston, TX
1982–1984 Chief, Strategic Operations Division OJCS, Washington, D.C.
1984–1985 Commander, 40th Air Division Wurtsmith AFB, MI
1985–1987 DCS Strategic Planning & Analysis HQ SAC, Offutt AFB, NE
1987–1989 Vice Director of the Joint Staff OJCS, Washington, D.C.
1992–1997 President, College of Aeronautics LaGuardia Airport, NY