United States Air Force General. He graduated from West Point in 1943, learned to fly and joined the Army Air Corps. Assigned to the 474th Fighter Bomber Group as Deputy Group Operations Officer, he flew 61 combat missions during World War II in the European Theatre. After the war, he remained in Europe on General Eisenhower's staff as adviser for the Air Force. In 1954, he was assigned to the newly established Air Force Academy as Professor of Economics and was appointed Dean of Faculty in 1956. In 1959, President Eisenhower appointed McDermott the first Permanent Dean of Faculty and promoted him to Brigadier General. While with the academy, he pioneered innovations that changed the face of service academy education and was universally acknowledged as the "Father of Modern Military Education." After retiring for the Air Force in 1968, he joined USAA (United Services Automobile Association) as Executive Vice President, became its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1969. Through his management the USAA became a successful worldwide insurance and diversified financial service worth $30 Billion in assets. He retired from USAA in 1993 and in recognition for his business and educational activities was inducted into the American National Business Hall of Fame. Cause of death, stroke.
United States Air Force General. He graduated from West Point in 1943, learned to fly and joined the Army Air Corps. Assigned to the 474th Fighter Bomber Group as Deputy Group Operations Officer, he flew 61 combat missions during World War II in the European Theatre. After the war, he remained in Europe on General Eisenhower's staff as adviser for the Air Force. In 1954, he was assigned to the newly established Air Force Academy as Professor of Economics and was appointed Dean of Faculty in 1956. In 1959, President Eisenhower appointed McDermott the first Permanent Dean of Faculty and promoted him to Brigadier General. While with the academy, he pioneered innovations that changed the face of service academy education and was universally acknowledged as the "Father of Modern Military Education." After retiring for the Air Force in 1968, he joined USAA (United Services Automobile Association) as Executive Vice President, became its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1969. Through his management the USAA became a successful worldwide insurance and diversified financial service worth $30 Billion in assets. He retired from USAA in 1993 and in recognition for his business and educational activities was inducted into the American National Business Hall of Fame. Cause of death, stroke.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
BRIG GEN
US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II
KOREA VIETNAM
BS
DSM LM ACM
AM
Family Members
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