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Contact Info
Home Town Salem, Massachusetts
Last Address Beavercreek, Ohio
Date of Passing Jun 09, 2010
Location of Interment Calvary Cemetery - Kettering, Ohio
Wall/Plot Coordinates Sec 30 Block A Space D31
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BRIGADIER GENERAL PHILIPPE O. BOUCHARD
Retired October 01,1986 Died June 09,2010
Brig. Gen. Philippe O. Bouchard is vice commander, Aeronautical Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
General Bouchard was born in Salem, Mass., in 1932. He graduated from St. John's Preparatory School, Danvers, Mass., in 1949. After spending two years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1955. In 1963 General Bouchard received a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Okla. He was a distinguished graduate of Squadron Officers School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 1959. He also graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Va., in 1969; and the Canadian National Defence College, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, in 1975.
The general attended pilot training at Moore Air Force Base, Texas, and Greenville Air Force Base, Miss. After receiving his pilot wings in 1956, he completed F-86D Combat Crew Training at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas.
In January 1957 he began a four-year assignment at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mich., as an interceptor pilot with the 94th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. He then entered the University of Oklahoma under an Air Force Institute of Technology program, received a master's degree in aeronautical engineering in 1963 and continued his graduate studies in that field until December 1964. From January 1965 through April 1966, General Bouchard performed research and development duties at the Aero Propulsion Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force.
Transferring to the Republic of Vietnam in May 1966, he served as a forward air controller with the U.S. 25th Infantry Division. While serving with the "Tropic Lightning" Division, the general was air liaison officer for the 2nd and 196th brigades and assistant air operations officer for the division's Tactical Air Control Party. He flew 412 combat missions in O-l "Bird Dogs."
Upon returning to the United States in May 1967, General Bouchard became an assistant professor of aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. After attending the Armed Forces Staff College, he was reassigned to the Air Force Academy and served as an associate professor of aeronautics through July 1974. From August 1974 to July 1975, General Bouchard was one of four Americans attending the Canadian National Defence College.
In August 1975 he returned to the Aero Propulsion Laboratory as director of the Ramjet Engine Division and commanded the Aero Propulsion Laboratory, from July 1977 to September 1978. He then commanded the Air Force Materials Laboratory, also located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, until June 1979. For the next two years, the general served at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command, Andrews Air Force Base, Md., as deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. In July 1981 he became commander of the Rome Air Development Center, Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Returning to Headquarters Air Force Systems Command in October 1983, General Bouchard became deputy chief of staff for science and technology. He assumed his present duties in September 1984.
General Bouchard is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Army Commendation Medal with "V" device.
He was promoted to brigadier general Aug. 1, 1983, with same date of rank.
http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107623/brigadier-general-philippe-o-bouchard/
Description This period was from March 2, 1965-January 30, 1966.
On June 29. I966. the USAF bombed petroleum storage and distribution facilities for the first time in the immediate vicinity of Hanoi and Haiphong, after political leaders authorized limited and specific strikes within the buffer zones for these cities. Gen. William W. Momyer replaced General Moore as Seventh Air Force Commander on July l. The United States expanded the Rotuwo Tittmou campaign as of July 9 to include petroleum targets in the northeast and rail lines and highways between China and Hanoi. although the buffer zone on the border limited targets. American aircraft also flew armed reconnaissance over North Vietnam.
On July 30. 1966. the USAF bombed targets in the dernilitariaed zone (DMZ) to counter the build-up of North Vietnamese forces there. By September the U.S. air campaign against North Vietnam had destroyed or damaged two-thirds of the enemy's petroleum storage capacity. several thousand trucks and watercraft. hundreds of rail cars and bridges. and numerous ammunition and supply storage areas. Beginning on February 14. I967. USAF aircraft hit additional strategic targets in North Vietnam, knocking out major power plants. and railyard repair facilities. But these results had little effect on the enemy's ability to carry on the war. because the country possessed only a small industrial base and imported most of its military materiel. In the face of extensive air attacks. North Vietnam further strengthened it's air defenses. By January 1967, the United States had lost 45 aircraft within 2 years. Anti-aircraft guns and SAMs accounted for most of the losses. but MiGs continued to challenge U.S. air strikes.
On January 2 the Seventh Air Force enticed a large MiG-2| force over North Vietnam into battle against F-4s. The USAF pilots destroyed 7 MiGs within 12 minutes without a loss. Four days later. On January 6. the Seventh destroyed 2 more MiGs. and the North Vietnamese temporarily abandoned aerial combat to regroup and retrain. In South Vietnam Allied forces continued search and destroy operations. blunting new Viet Cong and North Vietnamese offensives. Between July 14 and August 4, 1966. U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese troops battled North Vietnam Army forces near Quang Tri. 20 miles south of the DMZ. Later. between October I5 and November 26. the Allies engaged in a major battle with Viet Cong and NVA forces northwest of Tay Ninh. near the Cambodian border. 60 miles northwest of Saigon. Enemy resistance was light at first. but on November 4. as ARVN and U.S. troops approached storage areas, the Viet Cong and NVA counterattaclted. The Allies responded by airlifting more troops. including elements of the U.S. Army’s 1st. 4th, and 25th Infantry Divisions. and the l73rd Airborne Brigade. The USAF provided close air suppon. and between November 8 and 25. B-52s bombed targets in the area. The Allies drove the enemy from the region temporarily. seizing weapons. ammunition. food. and other supplies that the Communist forces left behind.
The next year. between Febmary and May I967, U.S. Army units joined ARVN forces to retum to Tay Ninh Province, about $0 miles north of Saigon and 15 miles northeast of Tay Ninh. Seventh Air Force C-l30s drtmped American paratroopers near the Cambodian border to cut off the Viet Cong retreat. The airlifters also flew reinforcements and supplies to the ground troops during this operation. With the help of forward air controllers flying O-1s. Air Force F-I00 and F-4 pilots provided close air support. and AC-47 gunship crews illuminated targets and conducted air strikes at night. Again, the enemy withdrew into Cambodia. leaving behind weapons. supplies. and ammunition.
In the panhandle of Laos, the USAF pounded enemy forces on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. while in northem Laos U.S. pilots supported Allied forces under attack. By August 1966 Laotian troops fighting Pathet Lao insurgents had advanced. with the aid of U.S. close air support. to Nam Bac. only 45 miles west of the North Vietnamese border and about 55 miles northeast of Luang Prabang. an ancient city on the Mekong River some 130 miles north of Vientiane. The Laotian gains were short lived, however, and by February 2. I967. the insurgents had regained lost territory and were in a position to attack the airfield at Luang Prabang.
