Larry D. Welch

Larry D. Welch
General Larry D. Welch
Born	(1934-06-09) June 9, 1934 (age 82) Guymon, Oklahoma
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1951-1990
Rank	General
Commands held	Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Cold War
Awards	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (7)
Other work	Rumsfeld Commission President, Institute for Defense Analyses Board of Directors, Henry L. Stimson Center

General (retired) Larry D. Welch (born June 9, 1934) was the 12th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. As chief, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of a combined active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian force serving at locations in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs functioned as the principal military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Nuclear Weapon Surety Task Force for the Defense Science Board.

General Welch was born in Guymon, Oklahoma, and graduated from Liberal (Kansas) High School in 1952. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, College Park and a master of science degree in international relations from The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. The general completed Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, in 1967, and National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., in 1972. Welch is an Eagle Scout and recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.