Lt Gen John B. Sams, Jr., USAF
Class of 1967
Hometown: Charleston, SC
- A command pilot with over 6000 hours, and combat veteran of Vietnam, Sams has served in various high level command and staff positions with the Air Force and Joint Chiefs of Staff. Sams command assignments include Commander of the 15th Air Force, Vice Commander of Air Mobility Command, the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Commander of the 7th Bomb Wing; and Commander of the air mobility forces for Operation Provide Hope in 1992. Sams retired from the Air Force in 2000.
- Sam's military awards include the Defense Superior Service medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defenseritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
- Upon retirement from USAF Sams served as Vice President of Air Force Programs at the Boeing Corporation. Sams has also served as Chairman and CEO of the Aerial Refueling Systems Advisory Group.
- In 2015 Sams was elected to the Chairmanship of The Citadel Board of Visitors. In 2018 was named Interim President of The Citadel.