Robert T. Herres

Robert T. Herres
General Robert T. Herres, first Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Birth name	Robert Tralles Herres
Born	(1932-12-01)December 1, 1932 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Died	July 24, 2008(2008-07-24) (aged 75) San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Buried at	Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1954–1990
Rank	General
Commands held	8th Air Force North American Aerospace Defense Command United States Space Command
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Air Medal
Other work	Chairman, USAA

Robert Tralles Herres (December 1, 1932 – July 24, 2008) was the first Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Herres was born on December 1, 1932, in Denver, where he attended East High School. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned its highest rank, Eagle Scout. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1954. He earned a Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology and in Public Administration from The George Washington University in 1960 and 1965, respectively. He completed Air Command and Staff College in 1965 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1971.

After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, he chose a commission in the Air Force because he saw a better chance at flying duty. After pilot training, Herres' early assignments were in fighter-interceptors, first as a pilot and then as an air electronics maintenance officer. Upon graduation from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology in 1960 he transferred to Europe, where he served as a technical intelligence analyst and, later, as a flying training supervisor.

Upon completion of Air Command and Staff College in 1965, Herres joined the Air University staff to instruct in weapons employment planning until entering training at the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, completing it in 1966.