Retired effective Sep 1, 1997
Brigadier General
Kenneth M. Taylor, Jr. is the commander of the Alaska Air National Guard.
He graduated from Anchorage High School in 1961. He attended the College of Marin, Kentfield, Calif. and later received a bachelor of art degree in political science, international relations from the University of Oklahoma in 1966. His military education includes the Air War College, by seminar, in 1976.
General Taylor began his military career by receiving his commission in the Air Force after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Oklahoma. He then graduated from pilot training in 1967. His first duty assignment was as a C-141 pilot, Travis AFB, Calif, November 1967 until January 1970. His next assignments were as an AC-119 gunship pilot in the Republic of Vietnam from January to December 1970; and as a C-123 pilot, Elmendorf, AFB, Alaska from December 1970 until he left active duty service in August 1971.
He joined the Alaska ANG in October 1971 and was assigned to the 176th Tactical Airlift Group, Kulis ANGB, Anchorage, AK. While with the 176th TAG, he held the following positions: group air operations officer, October 1971 to March 1973; aircraft commander/standardization and evaluation chief, April 1973 to September 1976; tactical airlift aircraft commander, September 1976 to August 1977; operations center chief, August 1977 to June 1978; air operations officer, July to September 1978; and chief, Command Post, October 1978 to April 1979. In May 1979, he transferred to the 144th Tactical Airlift Squadron as a unit operations officer, C-130 flight examiner aircraft commander. In November 1982, he returned to the 176th TAG in the following positions: group flight safety officer, November 1982 to May 1983; deputy commander for operations, May 1983 to April 1985; and commander, Resource Management Squadron, May 1985 to May 1986. In May 1986, he transfer to Headquarters, Alaska ANG, as the director of operations. He was reassigned as commander, 176th Composite Group from April 1988 to October 1990. In October 1990, he assumed his present position as commander, Alaska ANG.
General Taylor is a command pilot with more than 6,600 flying hours of which over 500 were flown on combat missions, in the C-130H/E, C-123, C-131 and T-29 aircraft. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” and three bronze oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with one hourglass device, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. His state awards include the Alaska Commendation Medal, and Alaska Domestic Emergency Ribbon with one bronze oak leaf cluster.
The general was promoted to and federally recognized as a brigadier general on Oct. 6, 1992.
(Current as of February 2001)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.