Joseph David Morgan III

COLONEL JOSEPH DAVID MORGAN III, USAF (RET.)
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron: CS-09
Years of Service: 30 Years

Colonel Joseph David "Joe" Morgan III was raised in Gainesville, Florida. He earned entry into the United States Air Force Academy as part of its historic charter Class of 1959 via a congressional appointment. Assigned to Cadet Squadron 09 (CS-09), Joe was known throughout his cadet years for his good-natured disposition, keen intelligence, warm demeanor, and natural leadership.

MILITARY & PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Following his graduation and commissioning in 1959, Col. Morgan entered USAF Pilot Training at Malden Air Base and Vance Air Force Base. Upon receiving his wings in 1960, he served as an Instructor Pilot with the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron at Vance AFB until 1966.

He then completed post-graduate studies at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) from 1966 to 1968 before deploying to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Assigned as a fighter pilot with the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron ("Triple Nickel") at Udorn Air Base, Thailand (1968–1969), he flew combat missions and earned numerous military decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, nine Air Medals, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Returning stateside, Col. Morgan served as an instructor at USAFA (1969–1971), completed further post-graduate work at Georgia Tech (1971–1973), and returned to the Academy as an Associate Professor from 1973 to 1977.

The remainder of his 30-year active-duty career focused on technical research, laboratory leadership, and advanced technology programs:

• 1978–1980: Program Manager, Directorate of Aerospace Sciences at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Bolling AFB.
• 1980–1982: Assistant Director of Laboratory / Director of Aeromechanics at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command (AFSC).
• 1982–1984: System Program Director for Seek Talk and Director of Advanced Tactical Communications (DCSDevPlans) at Electronic Systems Division (ESD), Hanscom AFB.
• 1984–1985: Commander of the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL) at Hanscom AFB.
• 1985–1988: Assistant to the Director at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), Carnegie Mellon University.

Following his military retirement, Col. Morgan enjoyed a second successful career as a senior systems engineer and technical lead across major defense organizations, including Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER, 1988–1997), Nichols Research Corp (1997–2001), Computer Sciences Corp (2001–2006), and L3 Communications (2006–2007).

Throughout his decades of military assignments, academic pursuits, and defense engineering career, Joe has been supported by his wife, Janet. Together, Joe and Janet have shared a passion for exploration, enjoying extensive travels both during and after his military and civilian careers.

In addition to his professional achievements, Joe remains deeply committed to giving back. He continues to actively serve the veteran community, supporting fellow airmen, military families, and service organizations, while remaining an active alumnus within the USAFA Class of 1959 legacy network.

EDUCATION

1955–1959 United States Air Force Academy B.S., Cadet Squadron 09
1966–1968 Georgia Institute of Technology Post-graduate studies
1971–1973 Georgia Institute of Technology Post-graduate studies

MEDALS & MILITARY DECORATIONS

Decoration Quantity
Distinguished Flying Cross 1
Bronze Star Medal 1
Meritorious Service Medal 3
Air Medal 9
Air Force Commendation Medal 1

SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Role Location / Organization
1959–1960 Pilot Training Malden AB / Vance AFB
1961–1966 Instructor Pilot 3576th Pilot Training Squadron, Vance AFB
1966–1968 Post-Graduate Student Georgia Institute of Technology
1968–1969 Pilot 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn AB, Thailand
1969–1971 Instructor, DFCEM U.S. Air Force Academy
1971–1973 Post-Graduate Student Georgia Institute of Technology
1973–1977 Associate Professor U.S. Air Force Academy
1978–1980 Program Manager, Dir. Aerospace Sciences Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling AFB
1980–1982 Assistant Director Lab / Dir. Aeromechanics Headquarters Air Force Systems Command (AFSC)
1982–1984 Sys. Program Dir. (Seek Talk) / Dir. Adv. Tactical Comm. ESD, Hanscom AFB
1984–1985 Commander Air Force Geophysics Lab, Hanscom AFB
1985–1988 Assistant to Director, SEI Carnegie Mellon University
1988–1997 Principal Engineer ANSER, Arlington, VA
1997–2001 Senior Member of Technical Staff Nichols Research Corp, Arlington, VA
2001–2006 Principal Engineer Computer Sciences Corp, Hanover, MD
2006–2007 Systems Principal Engineer L3 Communications, Annapolis Junction, MD
2007 Fully Retired