Those listed below are the VMI alumni who have been awarded the Air Force Cross. It is awarded for extraordinary heroism in combat to any person while serving in the United States Air Force or the United States Space Force, and is second only to the Medal of Honor.
Air Force Cross
James R. McCarthy
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1952
Robert S. Beale
Colonel, USAF
VMI Class of 1955
Thomas H. Kirk, Jr.
Colonel, USAF
VMI Class of 1950 B
Walter F. Draeger, Jr.
Captain, USAF
VMI Class of 1955
William R. Martin
Captain, USAF
VMI Class of 1955
Those listed below are a select group of VMI alumni who have attained the rank of General Officer in either the Air or Space Forces, which can take more than two decades of military service.
J. Daniel Caine
Lieutenant General, USAF
VMI Class of 1990
Daniel J. Darnell
Lieutenant General, USAF
VMI Class of 1975
Darren W. McDew
General, USAF
VMI Class of 1982
John P. Jumper
General, USAF
VMI Class of 1966
Hunter Harris Jr.
General, USAF
VMI Class of 1930
Lawrence E. Boese
Lieutenant General, USAF
VMI Class of 1966
Charles T. Myers
Lieutenant General, USAF
VMI Class of 1922
Mark K. Johnson
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1987
J. Marcus Hicks
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1986
Jon K. Mott
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1982
Joseph D. Brown IV
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1980
Scott S. Custer
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1976
Robert B. Newman, Jr.
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1973
Joseph G. Lynch
Major General, USAFR
VMI Class of 1969
Danny A. Hogan
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1965
James H. Marshall
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1951
Dr. Robert L. Thompson, Jr.
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1944
Thomas S. Jeffrey, Jr.
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1938
James W. Humphreys, Jr.
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1935
Richard C. Coupland
Major General, USAF
VMI Class of 1915
Brian S. Hartless
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1996
Jeffery L. Ryan
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1995
Gregory S. Otey
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1987
David A. Doss
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1995
Zane R. Johnson
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1984
Howard G. DeWolf
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1970
Christian F. Dreyer, Jr.
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1956
Thomas J. Lennon
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1965
Dr. James F. Culver
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1955
Alvah S. Mattox
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1954
James R. McCarthy
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1952
John E. Catlin, Jr.
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1951
Alonzo J. Walter, Jr.
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1949B
John W. Richardson
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1931
Terry H. Morrison
Brigadier General, USAF
VMI Class of 1920