Lorin Burton Krueger II

COLONEL LORIN BURTON KRUEGER II
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Colonel Lorin Burton Krueger II entered the history books as a member of the United States Air Force Academy’s historic Class of 1959—the first class to graduate from the newly established institution. Hailing from Angola, Indiana, Lorin arrived at the Academy driven by a passion for aviation and military excellence, spending his cadet career in Cadet Squadron 6 (CS-06) before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1959.

Following graduation, Lorin entered undergraduate pilot training from 1959 to 1960 at Moore Air Base and Webb Air Force Base, earning his silver pilot wings. He quickly transitioned into tactical fighters, reporting to the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Over the next several years, he flew the F-100 Super Sabre, deploying with the 510th from Clark Air Base in the Philippines to England Air Force Base, and eventually into the crucible of combat at Bien Hoa Air Base during the Vietnam War (1965–1966).

Lorin’s combat record in Southeast Asia was nothing short of extraordinary. Flying highly perilous close-air-support and interdiction missions, his exceptional skill and bravery under fire earned him some of the military's highest decorations, including the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and an incredible 19 Air Medals|

Upon returning stateside, Captain Krueger served with the 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base before taking a brief interlude from the cockpit to further his education. He attended Auburn University, earning an MBA in Business in 1969.

Lorin’s subsequent career elegantly balanced high-level staff commands with operational leadership. He served as a J3 Staff Officer in Current Operations for CINCPAC at Pearl Harbor during a critical window of the Vietnam War. He returned to theater from 1972 to 1973, flying tactical fighters with the famed 555th ("Triple Nickel") Tactical Fighter Squadron out of Udorn Air Base, Thailand.

In the latter half of his 29-year Air Force career, Colonel Krueger took on major leadership assignments, including serving at Headquarters USAF, the Tactical Air Readiness Group at Eglin AFB, and graduating from the Air War College in 1979. He later served as the Deputy Commander for Operations (DCO) for the 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base in West Germany, and capped off his military tenure at Headquarters AIRSOUTH.

Following his transition to civilian life, Colonel Krueger and his wife, Stacie, relocated to Florida, where he continued to apply his vast leadership and organizational expertise to civic service. He served with distinction in state government, holding roles as Staff Director for the Growth Management Executive Office under the Governor of Florida and as an analyst for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Today, Lorin resides in Tallahassee, Florida, where he remains a proud and active member of the local community. As a member of the historic "First Class," his enduring legacy is woven into the very fabric of the United States Air Force Academy, standing as a living testament to the pioneering spirit, courage, and dedication that defined the Class of 1959.

EDUCATION
• B.S. – United States Air Force Academy (1959)
• Squadron Officer School (SOS) (1964)
• M.B.A. (Business) – Auburn University (1969)
• Air War College (1979)

MEDALS AND AWARDS
Award / Decoration Quantity
Silver Star 1
Distinguished Flying Cross 2
Bronze Star Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 2
Air Medal 19
Air Force Commendation Medal 1
Combat Readiness Medal 1

SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Years Duty / Role Location / Unit
1959–1960 Pilot Training Moore AFB / Webb AFB
1961–1964 Pilot 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark AB, Philippines
1964–1965 Pilot 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB, LA
1965–1966 Combat Pilot 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
1966–1968 Pilot 9th Air Force, Shaw AFB, SC
1968–1969 Post-Graduate Student Auburn University, AL
1969–1972 Staff J3 (Current Operations) CINCPAC, Pearl Harbor, HI
1972–1973 Pilot 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn AB, Thailand
1973 XODCC Staff Headquarters USAF, Washington, D.C.
1977 Tactical Air Readiness Group Headquarters TAWC, Eglin AFB, FL
1979 Student Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL
1980–1981 Deputy Commander for Operations (DCO) 52nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, West Germany
1981–1984 Command Staff Headquarters AIRSOUTH, Naples, Italy
1984–1986 Vice President Armed Forces Relief & Benefit Assoc., Washington, D.C.
1986 Senior Analyst CACI, Washington, D.C.
1988 Staff Director Growth Management Exec. Office, Office of the Governor, FL
1989 Analyst Department of Transportation, State of Florida