Wesley L. Pendergraft – Brigadier General, United States Air Force

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BRIGADIER GENERAL WESLEY L. PENDERGRAFT

Died May 15, 1971

Brigadier General Wesley L. Pendergraft was Vice Commander of the Ogden Air Materiel Area, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Born in Drumright, Oklahoma, in 1925. He attended the College of Idaho and was commissioned in 1944. After basic and advanced pilot training, he completed B-17 Instructor School. In the early part of his career, he served as a command pilot and an operations officer. During this time he saw a year’s service in the Pacific.

In 1947, he began what was to be a 12-year tour at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, assigned to the Strategic Air Command’s 7th Bomb Wing. He served there as a B-36 aircraft commander and operations officer. In 1956, he was made Chief of Maintenance and a year later, Commander of the 9th Bomb Squadron.

Following B-52 upgrade training at Castle Air Force Base, California, he returned to Carswell to become the 7th Bomb Wing’s Deputy Commander for Maintenance.

In September of 1959, he was assigned to Castle Air Force Base, California, as commander of the B-52/KC-135 Operation Engineering Section. His task was to direct research and development activities related to the B-52 and KC-135 weapons systems. He remained at Castle in this capacity for two years, and then left for SAC Headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where for five years, he saw duty as Chief of the Aircraft Systems Division for the Director of Materiel.

Following a year as a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, General Pendergraft was assigned to the 465th Bomb Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, as Vice Commander. On January 31, 1968, he assumed command of the 465th Bomb Wing, which was later redesignated the l9th Bomb Wing.

On April 7, 1969, the General assumed command of the 380th Strategic Aerospace Wing.

On March 1, 1970, he was assigned as Vice Commander of the Ogden Air Materiel Area, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit; the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Army Commendation Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army Occupation Medal (Japan); and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with five oak leaf clusters.

PENDERGRAFT, WESLEY L

  • BG U.S.A F.
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 04/21/1925
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/15/1971
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 5  SITE 53
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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