Brig Gen Garryl Sipple ‘58

Brigadier General Garryl C. Sipple was Vice Commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, GA.

General Sipple was born in 1939, near Dry Ridge, Ky. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 1961, a master’s degree in educational psychology from Troy (Ala.) State University in 1969, and a master’s of political science degree from Auburn (Ala.) University in 1971. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and National War College. Additionally, he completed the Air Force Advanced Management Program at the Colgate-Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia at Charlottesville.

He was awarded a commission as second lieutenant in 1961 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. General Sipple completed pilot training at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, in December 1962, and reported to Mather Air Force Base, Calif., as a pilot in the T-29D Flying Classroom.

In July 1965 General Sipple volunteered for a tour of duty in Southeast Asia, and was assigned as the Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, air liaison officer and forward air controller. He participated in ground combat during seven division-size and nine regiment-size operations conducted in the northern most province of the Republic of Vietnam. Additionally, he flew 525 combat missions in the 0-1E Bird Dog airstrike control and reconnaissance aircraft.

Returning from Southeast Asia in August 1966, he reported to Hurlburt Field, Fla., as an O-1E instructor pilot with the 4410th Combat Crew Training Wing (Air Commandos). In 1968 General Sipple became a member of the faculty at Air University’s Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He subsequently attended Air Command and Staff College, also at Maxwell Air Force Base, and was selected as distinguished graduate.

From September 1971 to April 1972, General Sipple was assigned to Homestead Air Force Base, Fla., for combat crew training in F-4E Phantom IIs. He then transferred to Southeast Asia for a second combat tour of duty and was assigned to Udorn Royal

Brig Gen Garryl C. Sipple ‘58

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

INDUCTEES

Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, where he served first as a fighter pilot in the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron; then 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing chief of command and control; and later commanded the F-4E forward air controller squadron. He flew an additional 125 combat missions during this tour of duty, the majority of which were into the high threat areas of North Vietnam.

General Sipple returned to the United States in April 1973 and was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., first as deputy assistant of congressional hearings and subsequently as executive officer for the Air Force assistant vice chief of staff. In August 1977 he entered the National War College, graduating in July 1978.

He was then named deputy commander for operations, 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, Torrejon Air Base, Spain. He was the U.S. Air Forces in Europe mission commander for North Atlantic Treaty Organization Exercise “Display Determination” at Montijo, Portugal, in 1978 and the U.S. Air Forces in Europe mission commander for “Dawn Patrol” at Nea Anghialos, Greece, in 1979. General Sipple transferred to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in January 1980, where he become the director of inspection at Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe. During this tour of duty, he and his inspection team visited and evaluated every Air Force unit from Norway to Turkey.

In July 1981 General Sipple qualified in the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter and became commander of the 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Camp New Amsterdam, Netherlands. This wing-level organization provided support to 13 geographically separated Air Force units throughout Northern Europe. General Sipple also served as Senior U.S. Military Representative to the Netherlands and as a member of the U.S. ambassador’s country team. In April 1983 he became special assistant to the chief of staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe at Casteau, Belgium, and assumed his present duties in September 1984.

The general is a command pilot with nearly 5,000 flying hours, more than 1,200 of which were flown in combat. His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with 36 oak leaf clusters.

He was promoted to Brigadier General Sept. 1, 1984, with same date of rank.

BRIGADIER GENERAL GARRYL C. SIPPLE

Retired June 10, 1985. Died June 11, 1985.