MAJOR GENERAL JAMES H. BASSHAM
Retired effective Jul 15, 2002
Major General James H. Bassham is the assistant adjutant general for air,
Military Department of Tennessee, Tennessee Air National Guard. Major General Bassham commands and insures the readiness of Tennessee's three flying and four
mission support units. The flying units consist of a C-130 wing in Nashville, a C-141 wing in Memphis, and a KC-135 wing in Knoxville.
The general entered the Air Force in 1963 following graduation from the University of Arkansas as an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Distinguished Graduate.
He was released from active duty in 1969 and joined the Tennessee Air National Guard in 1970.
He has commanded squadrons, groups, and a wing prior to assuming his present position in February 1995.
EDUCATION:
1963 Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
1974 Air Command and Staff College, by correspondence
1976 Industrial College of the Armed Forces, by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. June 1963 - June 1964, student, undergraduate navigator training, James Connally Air Force Base, Texas
2. June 1964 - December 1964, student, navigator-bombardier training, Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
3. December 1964- January 1969, B-52G navigator/bombardier, 340th Bomb Squadron
School, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark.
4. January 1969 - April 1970, inactive status, HQ ARPC (NARS), Denver, Colo.
5. April 1970 - August 1972, C-124 navigator, 155th Military Airlift Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
6. August 1972 - May 1973, C-124 navigator examiner, 155th Military Airlift Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
7. May 1973 - October 1974, air operations officer, 164th Military Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
8. October 1974- May 1976, C-130A navigator examiner, 164th Tactical Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
9. May 1976 - December 1978, C-130A navigator examiner, 155th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
10. December 1978 - December 1979, C-130A chief of standardization/evaluation, 155th Tactical Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
11. December 1979 - November 1980, C-130A operations officer, 155th Tactical Airlift Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
12. November 1980 - July 1982, C-130A navigator, chief of standardization/evaluation,
164th Tactical Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
13. July 1982 - July 1984, commander, 155 Tactical Airlift Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
14. July 1984 - July 1987, commander, 164th Resource Maintenance Squadron, Memphis, Tenn.
15. July 1987 - July 1989, deputy commander for support, 164th Tactical Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
16. July 1989 - July 1992, deputy commander for operations, 164th Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
17. July 1992 - November 1993, vice commander, 164th Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
18. November 1993 - February 1995, commander, 164th Airlift Group, Memphis, Tenn.
19. February 1995 - July 2002, assistant adjutant general for air, Headquarters Tennessee Air National Guard, Nashville, Tenn.
FLIGHT INFORMATION:
Rating: Master navigator
Flight hours: More than 9,500 hours
Aircraft flown: B52G, C-124, C-130A, C-141B
Navigator wings from: James Connally Air Force Base, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 devices
Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 device
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 1 device
Combat Readiness Medal with 2 devices,
National Defense Service Medal with 1 device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal
Southeast Asia Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 6 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1 device
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with 1 device
Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Tennessee National Guard Distinguished Service Medal
Tennessee National Guard Commendation Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS:
Second Lieutenant Jun 29, 1963
First Lieutenant Jun 29, 1966
Captain Feb 1, 1969
Major Aug 13, 1973
Lieutenant Colonel Mar 1, 1980
Colonel Dec 1, 1989
Brigadier General Jan 26, 1996
Major General Mar 5, 1998
(Current as of January 2003)
The date of publication
indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily
reflect the date of printing.
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