John L France was born on September 11, 1933 in Forest City, Missouri. He received his high school diploma from Oregon High School, Oregon, Missouri in 1951. In November, 1952, John France enlisted in the US Air Force. He was selected for Air Force pilot training and received his Air Force pilot's wings and commission as a USAF second lieutenant in March 1955 at Webb AFB, Texas. Following advanced pilot training he was assigned to Misawa AB, Japan as an F-86 pilot.
John France separated from the Air Force in March 1958 and joined the 120th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of the Colorado Air National Guard as an F-86 pilot in October of that year. He was selected to fly with the Minutemen, the Air National Guard's official jet demonstration team.
John France and Carole Denton were married on September 16, 1961. The couple has two daughters, Allison, born March 1, 1965, and Amie, born October 2, 1970
In October 1961, in response to the Berlin Crisis, he was called to active duty and flew out of Buckley Field and George AFB, California. Upon release from active duty, he returned to the 120th as a flight commander.
In 1963 John France was awarded his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Denver, and in 1966 he received his Juris Doctor degree from the College of Law, University of Denver.
In May 1968, John France led a flight of Colorado ANG F-100Cs on a two stop, 21 hour deployment from Denver to Phan Rang AB, Republic of Vietnam. During the year they were assigned to the 35th TFW, he flew 239 combat missions, logging 335 hours of combat time. He returned to Buckley ANGB in May 1969 and remained with the Colorado Air National Guard as an Air Technician Flying Training Instructor. He was named Commander, 120th TFS in May 1969, Commander, 140th TFG in September 1971, and Commander, 140th TFW in July 1974. He was promoted and received federal recognition as a brigadier general on February 6, 1976.
The general oversaw the successful transition of the 140th TFW from the F-100 to the A7D, and in September 1977 he led the squadron on a 23 day deployment to Gilze-Rijen Air Base, Holland. So successful was the unit in accomplishing its mission, that it received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
On August 1, 1979 General France was named Adjutant General of the State of Colorado, and on June 18, 1982 received federal recognition at the rank of Major General.
In October,1981 General France supported the deployment of the 140th TFW Gunsmoke Team to Nellis AFB, Nevada, to compete in Gunsmoke '81, the Air Force Worldwide Air-to-Ground Gunnery competition, where they were named World Champions.
General France is a command pilot. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, among many others.
General John France retired February 6, 1995, completing over 42 years of military service to his country.