James R. Brickel

Lieutenant general James Russell Brickel (18 September 1930 - 21 November 2014) was a United States Air Force (USAF) officer.

Early life and education He was born in New York City on 18 September 1930. He attended Burlington High School in Vermont.

Military career He entered the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1948 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1952.

Upon his return to the United States in October 1967, he went to Washington, D.C., where he served in the Directorate of Space, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Research and Development, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, as research and development director and deputy chief, Policy and Plans Group. In September 1969 he was appointed deputy for staff operations to the executive secretary, National Aeronautics and Space Council, Executive Office of the President, a position he held until August 1970 when he entered the National War College.

Following graduation from the National War College in August 1971, he was assigned to Alaskan Air Command as commander of the 21st Composite Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base. He was appointed deputy assistant to the secretary of defense (atomic energy) in August 1972. In June 1974 he was assigned as deputy director of information, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C. He became commandant of the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps in March 1975, and in June 1975 he assumed the additional duty of vice commander, Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

In July 1977 he transferred to Washington, D.C., to serve as director of concepts, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. In August 1978 he assumed the position of assistant deputy chief of staff, programs and analysis. He was named assistant deputy chief of staff for research, development and acquisition at Air Force headquarters in December 1978, and remained there until June 1981, when he assumed duty as deputy commander in chief, U.S. Readiness Command and vice director, Joint Deployment Agency at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. He was promoted to lieutenant general on 1 June 1981, with date of rank of 31 May 1981. He retired from the Air Force on 1 September 1984.

Later life Following his retirement he worked for United Technologies Corporation.

He died of Parkinson's Disease on 21 November 2014 in Sarasota, Florida. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Decorations His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon with oak leaf cluster and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.