Major General Harold L. Price

Major General Harold L. Price had a colorful career which included service in three wars. He was born and raised in Potter, New York. After graduating from Pennsylvania State College in 1941, he entered active military service as an aviation cadet. He received his wings and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps. He received a master’s degree from The George Washington University and attended the Air Command and Staff College and the National War College. During World War II, he flew 67 combat missions in fighters in England, North Africa and Sardinia. , In 1949, General Price was assigned to the Far East Air Forces where he was the Operations Officer for the Eighth Fighter Wing and Commander of the 80th Fighter Squadron. During the Korean War, he flew 75 combat missions and was credited with four YAK-9s destroyed, one MIG-15 probably destroyed and one MIG-15 damaged. After numerous command and staff assignments, he was assigned to Headquarters, United States Air Force in Europe and in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations. In 1958, he was deputy for plans for the Commander-in-Chief, specified command, Middle East for Lebanon Operations, at the time the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing deployed from Myrtle Beach to Adana, Turkey, in support of the Lebanon Crisis. , In 1964, he went to the Republic of Vietnam, served as Director of Operations, 2nd Air Division, and completed 87 combat missions. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned Commander, 354th Tactical Fighter Wing at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense and Headquarters, United States Air Force. , His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem with oak leaf cluster, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Cross. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours flying time in 19 different aircraft.