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HEADQUARTERS
EASTERN AIR DEFENSE FORCE
Stewart Air Force Base
New York

MAJOR JAMES MACEFIELD, USAF

James Macefield was born in Garfield, New Jersey, March 28, 1920. He was graduated from New York University of Maryland where he studied military science. In July 1942 he was appointed as an aviation cadet and completed flying training in October 1943.

Major Macefield served with the 452nd Fighter Group in England during World War II, and was credited with 305 flying combat hours. During this period he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and both the French and Belgian Croix de Guerre.

After a brief assignment in the Air Training Command, Major Macefield joined the 79th Fighter Group stationed in Austria. From July 1947 to April 1948, he piloted P-51's with the 20th Fighter Group, Shaw AFB, S.C. and the 31st Fighter Group, Turner AFB, Ga. In April 1948 he attended jet transition school.

In January 1949 Major Macefield was assigned to the 36th Fighter Group in Germany. In March 1952 he was appointed Operations Officer of the 432nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Truax Field, Wisconsin, and the next year was made commander of the squadron. In 1954, after serving for a brief period as Deputy for Operations of the 327th Fighter Group, he was selected as commander of the newly activated 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. For his accomplishments as commander of the squadron, Major Macefield received the Commendation Ribbon in 1956. 

In April 1956 Major Macefield reported to his present assignment as Chief, Fighter Operations Branch, Eastern Air Defense Force. He is rated a senior pilot.

Major Macefield met his wife, the former Kathryn E. Nevarez, in Europe where she was serving as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. They have three children: Kathleen D. (8); James O. (6); and Lance J. (3).

PROMOTIONS

He was promoted to first lieutenant in May 1944; captain in October 1950; and major in June 1952.

END

Up to date as of 12 July 1957