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Jimmy J. Jumper

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jimmy Jefferson Jumper (1923–1979) was an American Air Force Major General and the father of 17th Air Force Chief of Staff John P. Jumper.

Jimmy J. Jumper
Jimmy J. Jumper
Air Force General Jimmy Jumper
Born1923
DiedMarch 9, 1979 (aged 56)
CitizenshipAmerican
EducationParis High School
OccupationU.S. Air Force Officer
ChildrenJohn P. Jumper
Military Service
Allegiance United States
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1941-1947 (USAAF)
1947-1974 (USAF)
RankMajor General

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and became a pilot in 1944. He served as an Air Force officer in the Korean War and Vietnam War before retiring in 1974.

Early life

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Jimmy Jefferson Jumper was born in 1923 in San Antonio, Texas. He was the son of Delbert Lee Jumper a cotton farmer and U.S. Navy veteran of World War One.[1][2] His uncle Samuel Augusta Jumper was a U.S. Army veteran.[3][4] He attended Paris High School, Paris, Texas in 1939.[5]

During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1941 and by December 1944 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after completing an aviation cadet program at Moore Field, Texas during World War II. He served in the U.S. Occupation of Japan and his son John P. Jumper was born on February 4, 1945.[6]

Career

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He served in several positions in the United States and Far East. By June 1951, Jumper served as director of Aircraft Maintenance, Eastern Air Defense Force, Stewart Air Force Base, N.Y. In April 1953, he served as a liaison officer for Air Defense Command. In July 1956, he attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Jumper served in the Headquarters Air Defense Command in July 1964 and was a director of operational inspection. In July 1971, he was sent to the Republic of Vietnam to assume command of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.[5] He retired from the Air Force in 1974.[7]

Death

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He died on March 9, 1979, in Bexar, Texas.[8]

Awards

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Distinguished Service Medal

Legion of Merit

Joint Services Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Army Commendation Medal

References

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  1. ^ Jumper, Delbert Lee (November 11, 1957). "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940". FamilySearch. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  2. ^ "1940 Census". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  3. ^ Jumper, Samuel (September 1955). "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940". Familysearch. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Barn, J.M. (May 2, 1910). "1910 Census". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  5. ^ a b "Major General Jimmy J. Jumper". U.S. Air Force. 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  6. ^ "John P. Jumper - U. S. A. F. - Vietnam - Oral History Project". ohp.rwnaf.org. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
  7. ^ "U.S. Air Force: A family business". Sheppard Air Force Base. 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  8. ^ "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2024-11-18.