Former USAFE commander passes away at 90

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  A retired Air Force general passed away Aug 7, 2013 due to natural causes in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Retired Gen. John Pauly, who was 90 years old at the time of his death, retired Aug 1. 1980 after serving his last assignment as commander, Allied Air Forces Central Europe and commander in chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

After several stateside and overseas assignments, Pauly was appointed commander in chief, USAFE, and AAFCE commander in August 1978.

During his tenure as the USAFE and AAFCE commander, Pauly oversaw the arrival of USAFE's first A-10s, F-4G advanced Wild Weasels, and the first C- and D-model F-15s. The general also oversaw several significant events with far-reaching impact during his command.

On April 15, 1979, an earthquake struck the coast of Montenegro, Yugoslavia, killing more than 100 people and causing widespread property damage. Seven C-141s and one C-130 under Pauly's command brought relief supplies to the area.

After militant students seized the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, Iran, Pauly was the commander in charge when 13 of the hostages, who were taken to the USAFE hospital at Wiesbaden, Germany, Nov. 4, 1979.

Additionally, during Pauly's command, the first digital systems went operational in Europe, laying the groundwork for the U.S. Air Force cyber systems we have today.

But his time as commander in chief, USAFE, and AAFCE commander was only the culmination of a long and distinguished career.

Pauly graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1945 where he earned his commissioning and pilot wings.

Following graduation from West Point, Pauly attended B-25 Mitchell and B-17 Flying Fortress transition training and Junior Officers Staff School prior to reporting to the 60th Troop Carrier Group, Munich, Germany, in February 1946, according to his official biography.

He later served there as an instructor at the Central Pilots School of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and as assistant operations officer for the 11th Troop Carrier Squadron. Pauly went on to also serve during the Korean War, flying 55 night intruder combat missions, totaling 230 combat hours in B-26 Marauder aircraft.

During his Air Force career, Pauly earned the rating of command pilot with more than 6,000 hours of flying time.
His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; and from the Republic of Vietnam, the Air Force Distinguished Service Order (2nd Class) and the Gallantry Cross with palm.

Pauly's funeral services and interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.

Editor's Note: the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs and History Office contributed to this article.