# Benjamin F. Starr Jr.

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**Benjamin Fred Starr Jr.** (December 14, 1924 – May 30, 2013) was a [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) [major general](/source/Major_general_(United_States)) who commanded the [76th Airlift Division](/source/76th_Air_Division) at [Andrews Air Force Base](/source/Joint_Base_Andrews), the Air Force's executive airlift unit responsible for [Air Force One](/source/Air_Force_One) and VIP transport for the President and senior government officials.[1] During the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), he commanded the 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron in Thailand, flying 400 combat hours as a [forward air controller](/source/Forward_air_controller).[2]

## Early life and education

Starr was born on December 14, 1924, in [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta), Georgia. He entered military service in 1943 as an Aviation Cadet in the [United States Army Air Forces](/source/United_States_Army_Air_Forces), transferring to the independent [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) when it was established in 1947. He graduated from [George Washington University](/source/George_Washington_University).[1]

## Military career

### Early career and Strategic Air Command

Starr began his flying career as a bomber pilot in the [Strategic Air Command](/source/Strategic_Air_Command), accumulating the majority of his more than 8,000 total flight hours in SAC aircraft during the [Cold War](/source/Cold_War).[1]

### Vietnam War

During the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), Starr commanded the 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron at [Nakhon Ratchasima Royal Thai Air Force Base](/source/Nakhon_Ratchasima_Royal_Thai_Air_Force_Base), Thailand, from 1968 to 1969. He flew 400 combat hours as a [forward air controller](/source/Forward_air_controller), directing close air support and interdiction missions. He received the [Distinguished Flying Cross](/source/Distinguished_Flying_Cross_(United_States)) for extraordinary achievement in this role.[2]

### Andrews Air Force Base commands

On July 26, 1977, Starr assumed command of the [76th Airlift Division](/source/76th_Air_Division) at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, succeeding [William C. Norris](/source/William_C._Norris_(general)).[1] The division was reorganized as the 76th Military Airlift Wing on October 1, 1977, with Starr continuing as commander.[1] The wing provided airlift for the [President](/source/President_of_the_United_States), [Vice President](/source/Vice_President_of_the_United_States), and Cabinet members. He commanded three [Military Airlift Command](/source/Air_Mobility_Command) wings in total during his career.[1]

On April 10, 1979, the enlisted members of Military Airlift Command presented Starr with the [Order of the Sword](/source/Order_of_the_Sword_(United_States)), No. 55, the highest honor that enlisted personnel of a major command can bestow on a senior officer.[3]

Starr retired from active duty in 1980 with the rank of major general after approximately 37 years of service.[1]

## Awards and decorations

Award Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Distinguished Flying Cross

## See also

- [76th Air Division](/source/76th_Air_Division)
- [Order of the Sword (United States)](/source/Order_of_the_Sword_(United_States))
- [William C. Norris (general)](/source/William_C._Norris_(general))

## References

1. ["Major General Benjamin F. Starr Jr."](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105581/major-general-benjamin-f-starr-jr/). United States Air Force. Retrieved May 7, 2026.

1. ["Benjamin Starr – Hall of Valor"](https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-392594/). Military Times. Retrieved May 7, 2026.

1. ["The Order of the Sword"](https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1056820/the-order-of-the-sword/). United States Air Force. Retrieved May 7, 2026.

## External links

- [DVIDS public-domain photograph of Starr greeting President Carter at Andrews AFB, late 1970s](https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8825354/) (U.S. Air Force, 316th Wing History Office)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Benjamin F. Starr Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_F._Starr_Jr.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_F._Starr_Jr.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.