William "Bill" Grieger, Colonel, USAF, retired

Colonel Grieger was commissioned in the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1960 from the Aviation Cadet Program. He served on active duty for 22 years, 13 as a fully-qualified combat ready pilot. He was the first second Lieutenant in the USAF to fly the F-105 Thunderchief. Captain Grieger flew 100 combat missions in Southeast Asia as a Wild Weasel pilot, mostly over North Vietnam, as part of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Assigned next as a staff officer at Headquarters, Tactical Air Command (TAC), Major Grieger authored the "Tactical Munitions Proliferation Study" and also authored the Technology Panel, Munitions Section of the "TAC '85" study to articulate future tactical munitions. He was selected by the Commander, TAC to brief the results of both studies to the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), the Air Staff and other organizations. Many of the recommendations of the Proliferation Study and TAC '85 were subsequently implemented by AFSC.
Major Grieger then attended the Armed Forces Staff College, followed by transition to the A-7 aircraft at Davis Monthan AFB (DM), AZ. While at DM Major Grieger served as Maintenance Supervisor and Commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing Munitions Maintenance Squadron. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was reassigned as Wing Maintenance Control Officer. Prior to his next assignment to Nellis AFB, NV, he was selected for promotion to Colonel after 13 years of commissioned service. After a short assignment at Nellis as Assistance Deputy Commander, Operations, 57th Fighter Weapons Wing, NV, he was appointed Deputy Commander, Resources, where he turned around the largest Base Supply account in TAC from "unsatisfactory" to "satisfactory". That supply account was next rated "outstanding".
Colonel Grieger subsequently attended the Royal College of Defense Studies, London, England, completing a year-long international senior level staff college program there sponsored by the British Ministry of Defense. Colonel Grieger was then assigned to the Pentagon, Headquarters USAF, to the Directorate of Plans, as Chief and Assistant Chief, Tactical Fighter Division, setting plans for the make-up and size of USAF future tactical forces. He led a study that resulted in the revision of War Plans for deployment of tactical forces to Europe. He also served as Chief, Tactical Munitions Division under the USAF Director of Plans. As Assistant to the Director of Computer Resources, he led a study to revise career progression and professional education for this career field. Colonel Grieger retired in January, 1981.
Colonel Grieger received numerous decorations including three Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorious Service Medals, twenty-two Air Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
Colonel Grieger earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the City College of New York in 1958, and a Master of Science in Aerospace Operations Management from the University of Southern California in 1967.
After retirement from the USAF, Colonel Grieger served as Program Manager for the US Navy's F-18 flight simulator.