John S. Samuel

For the rugby player, see John Samuel.

John S. Samuel (December 24, 1913 – April 1, 2002) was a Major General in the United States Air Force.

Samuel was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He would attend Beloit College (1932 - 1935).

Career

Samuel graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1939. During World War II he served with the 391st Bombardment Group and later was given command of the 322d Bombardment Group. Conflicts he took part in include the Invasion of Normandy, the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Western Allied invasion of Germany. Following the war he became an instructor at the United States Military Academy and later was assigned to The Pentagon. Later he was given command of Carswell Air Force Base, the 816th Air Division, and helped conduct Operation Dominic I and II. In 1963 he was named Director of the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Later he was assigned to the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense. His retirement was effective as of August 1, 1972.

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with two silver oak leaf clusters and three bronze oak leaf clusters, and the Croix de guerre of France.