Michael A. Nelson
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East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Virginia, U.S.
Michael A. Nelson | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2005 | |
| Nickname(s) | Frisco |
| Born | October 8, 1937 East Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 2024 (aged 87) Virginia, U.S. |
| Service | US Air Force |
| Years of service | 1959–1994 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster |
| Alma mater | Stanford University University of Arizona National War College |
Michael A. Nelson (October 8, 1937 – October 8, 2024) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He flew 100 missions over North Vietnam, collected 3500+ hours in fighter aircraft, and held command five times, including over the 9th Air Force and Operation Southern Watch.[1] He was the 20th Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans and Operations.
After his military career, he was the president of the Air Force Historical Foundation and The Retired Officer's Association (now called the Military Officers Association of America, a change he ushered in[1]).
Nelson was born in East Los Angeles, California, on October 8, 1937. He moved to San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Alamo Heights Senior High School in 1955.[2]
- Nelson earned his bachelor's degree in international relations in 1959 from Stanford University. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity.[3]
- He earned a master's degree in comparative politics from the University of Arizona in 1969.
- He earned another master's degree from the National War College in 1976.
- He was also educated at the Air Command and Staff College and in multiple fighter jets.
Career
Nelson was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in June 1959.
As a fighter pilot, he flew 100 combat missions in the F-105 over North Vietnam as a part of Operation Rolling Thunder.[4] He was one of the Wild Weasels, which meant his aircraft was fitted with anti-radiation missiles and tasked with suppression of enemy air defenses. He also collected over 3500+ hours in the various aircraft he flew: the F-100, F-105, A-7, F-4, F-15, and F-16.[4][5]
He held command five times at five different locations across his career and worked in the Pentagon multiple times, including as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Plans and Operations.
As part of being the commander of the 9th Air Force and CENTAF, he also oversaw Operation Southern Watch. Operation Southern Watch monitored southern Iraq.
He retired in August 1994. In retirement, he became the president of The Retired Officers Association (TROA) and served from 1995 to 2002. He worked with Congress to increase active duty pay raises, repeal dual-compensation restrictions and the REDUX retirement system, and enact TRICARE Senior Pharmacy and TRICARE For Life. As well as change the name of TROA to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Nelson helped redesign The Retired Officer Magazine, launch its website, begin hosting career fairs, and formed the Member Service Center.[1]
