Donald O'Neal Aldridge

General Aldridge was born in Solo, MO July 22, 1932, to William O’Neal Aldridge and Opal Marie Scheets Aldridge. He grew up in the area and enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. He met his first wife Dorothy while both were serving in the Air Force and together had 6 children. The General excelled academically, completing Russian language school, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and National War College; all as a distinguished graduate.

While serving as a Russian linguist, he was appointed to Officer Candidate School, where again he was a distinguished graduate and recipient of the school leadership award. As well, he completed a bachelor's degree in history from University of Nebraska and (ABT) master’s in international relations from Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

He completed primary and basic pilot training, then B-47 combat crew training. Next was B-52 combat crew training, then on to Flight Instructor in B-52s. During Linebacker ll operations in North Vietnam he was the airborne commander of a 12 ship B-52 raid against Hanoi. He had 35 B-52 combat missions in Southeast Asia and was a command pilot with over 5,000 flying hours.

Returning to the US from Guam, Don’s next assignment was to Omaha, NE, where he developed the planning approach to implement a major change to the U S nuclear policy. This is also where he met and married his wife Hallie, an active-duty Air Force nurse. From Omaha, they moved to Washington, DC; just in time for the 1976 bicentennial fireworks.

After graduating from National War College in Washington DC, General Aldridge reported to the Pentagon holding multiple positions in the office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was then assigned for a year as deputy director of the Defense Mapping Agency. From Washington DC he was assigned as deputy US representative to the military committee, NATO, Brussels, Belgium. From there he was assigned as Joint Chiefs of Staff representative to the Strategic Arms Reduction talks with the Soviet Union. After attending the Shultz-Gromyko meeting he continued as the JCS representative in the new nuclear and space talks and as deputy chief negotiator for strategic systems with the Soviet Union in Washington DC and Geneva, Switzerland. After this assignment he was assigned as commander of Strategic Air Command’s 1st Strategic Aerospace Division at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. From there, he was promoted to Lt. General and assumed his last position as Vice Commander in Chief Strategic Air Command, Omaha, NE, retiring in May 1991 after over 40 years of distinguished service to the United States of America.

After retiring from the Air Force, Don worked in the defense industry until his final retirement in 2001. He was a computer tinkerer, an excellent bridge player and avid photographer. He spent much of his time traveling and photographing wildlife, specializing in bird photography.

Don is survived by Hallie, his 5 children, LaDonna (Randy) Flagg, William Scott (Michele) Aldridge, Holly (Randy) Bressette, Stuart (Terri) Aldridge, and Melanie Aldridge; his 19 grandchildren and multiple great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, 7-year-old sister Donna Faye and 3-year-old son Steven. Don’s life story is an impressive example of discipline, dedication and service. May he forever rest gently in love and peace.