Joseph R. Holzapple

Joseph R. Holzapple
General Joseph R. Holzapple
Born	(1914-09-07)September 7, 1914 Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Died	November 14, 1973(1973-11-14) (aged 59) Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1941–1971
Rank	General
Commands held	U.S. Air Forces in Europe 47th Bombardment Wing
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) Air Medal (19)

Joseph Randall Holzapple (September 7, 1914 – November 14, 1973) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (CINCUSAFE) from 1969 to 1971.

Holzapple was born in 1914 in Peoria, Illinois, where he graduated from Bradley University in 1938 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. He received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the same university in 1958. He entered aviation cadet training in December 1940 and graduated in August 1941 with a commission as second lieutenant and his pilot wings. Subsequently he performed various flying duties at Jackson, Mississippi; Patterson Field, Ohio; and Barksdale Field, Louisiana.

He was ordered to the European Theater of Operations in September 1942, where he served as operations officer and then commander of the 319th Bombardment Group, Twelfth Air Force. He flew 91 combat missions in North Africa and Europe with a total of 390 combat hours primarily in B-26 Marauder aircraft. In November 1944 the 319th Group converted to B-25 Mitchell aircraft and used them for approximately two months before the group returned to the United States where it was reequipped with A-26 Invader aircraft. In May 1945 the group moved to Okinawa where it operated until August 1945. During this period, Holzapple flew eight combat missions over Japan and mainland China, totaling 33 combat hours.

Holzapple returned to the United States in February 1946 and was assigned to Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., with duties in the Requirements Division of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Requirements. He entered the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 1949 and completed the Joint Operations Course there in January 1950. He returned to Washington, D.C., and was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force for duties with the Air Force Special Weapons Project.