Richard S. Beyea Jr.

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Richard S. Beyea Jr.
Born (1935-09-22) 22 September 1935 (age 88)
Atlanta, Georgia
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1958–1988
Rank Brigadier General (Ret.)
Commands heldAir Force Office of Special Investigations
Battles/warsVietnam War
Awards

Richard Swinney Beyea Jr.[2] (born 22 September 1935)[3] is a retired United States Air Force brigadier general (special agent) who served as the 10th commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. As the AFOSI Commander, Beyea was responsible for providing independent professional investigative services to commanders of all Air Force activities about fraud, counterintelligence and major criminal matters by using a worldwide network of agents stationed at all major Air Force installations and at a variety of special operating locations. He also served as the air staff assistant inspector general for special investigations.[1][4]

Early life and education[edit]

Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Texas, Beyea graduated from Highland Park High School in 1953 and then attended Texas A&M University for a year. In 1958, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. Beyea also obtained a master's degree in criminal justice from George Washington University, Washington, D.C, in 1974. Along with specialized training, Beyea completed Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, AL; Industrial College of the Armed Forces and National War College, both located at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.[1]

Military career[edit]

Upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy, Beyea commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1958. He spent the majority of his career as a special agent of the AFOSI where he conducted and supervised felony-level criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations and operations. He commanded at the detachment, squadron and wing levels. His assignments included four overseas postings, which were Bangkok, Thailand; Kadena AB, Japan; and RAF Fairford and RAF Alconbury, England. Prior to his last assignment as Commander of AFOSI, Beyea served as the deputy commander of the 18th Combat Support Group, and subsequently became base commander. Near the end of his military career, Beyea was awarded the prestigious Order of the Sword in 1987, which is the highest honor and tribute noncommissioned officers can bestow upon an individual.[1][5][6]

Major awards and decorations[edit]

Beyea is the recipient of the following:[1]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st Row Legion of Merit
2nd Row Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster National Defense Service Medal with service star
3rd Row Vietnam Service Medal with eight service stars Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Vietnam Campaign Medal

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."BG Richard S. Beyea Jr. Air Force Biography". U.S. Air Force. Sep 1984. Retrieved 8 Jan 2019.
  2. ^ "Richard Swinney Beyea Jr". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Class of 1958—Register of Graduates". Register of Graduates and Former Cadets 1802–1971 of the United States Military Academy. The West Point Alumni Foundation Inc. 1971. p. 692. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."Proposed Remarks by William H. Webster Director of Central Intelligence at the Retirement Dinner for Brigadier General Richard S. Beyea Jr. (USAF) Bolling Air Force Base Officers' Club Washington, D.C. February 27, 1988" (PDF). Central Intelligence Agency. 27 Feb 1988. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 23, 2017. Retrieved 8 Jan 2019.
  5. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."Kadena Air Base History". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 8 Jan 2019.
  6. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."Recipients of the Order of the Sword" (PDF). U.S. Air Force – Air University. Retrieved 8 Jan 2019.

Notes[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: [1], [2], [3], and [4]

Military offices
Preceded by Commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations
Jun 1980 – Feb 1988 		Succeeded by
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