Melbourne Kimsey

Melbourne Kimsey (October 16, 1930 – August 4, 2021) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force who served as director of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex from 1981 to 1983,

Biography Melbourne Kimsey was born on October 16, 1930, in Danielsville, Georgia. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1946 at the age of 15 and a half, and served 3 years as enlisted and non-commissioned officer. Rather than re-enlist in 1949, using the GI Bill he entered the University of Georgia and the ROTC program there. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1953 from the University of Georgia, and as a distinguished military graduate of the ROTC program, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He received a Regular Air Force commission in 1954. He received his Master of Science degree from George Washington University in 1966 and is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, 1962; Air Command and Staff College, 1966; and the Air War College, 1979

Kimsey entered active duty in July 1953 and graduated from pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1954. He served with the Strategic Air Command as a KC-97 pilot at March Air Force Base, California, until October 1956. While there he distinguished himself when a fire broke out during take-off in a KC-97 he was piloting. While the plane was burning, he brought the aircraft under control and crawled back to pull out two of his crew members. He was awarded the Soldier's Medal for valor (the Air Force Cross had not yet been instituted). He was then assigned to the U.S. Air Force in Europe as a pilot flying B-45s, B-66s, T-33s and L-20s at the USAF Base at Alconbury, England (later the RAF Alconbury). He personally led the B-66's transfer from stateside to their assignment in England.

Awards and decorations His decorations included the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze and silver stars,Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters, Expert Small Arms Marksmanship ribbon, and Gallantry Cross with palm (South Vietnam), and Vietnam Campaign Medal. and command pilot wings.

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters Distinguished Flying Cross Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal Good Conduct Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal with bronze star Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters Marksmanship ribbon

Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam) Vietnam Campaign Medal