MAJOR GENERAL GENE A. KATKE

Commander 244th Combat Communications Squadron

1 July 1977 to 30 September 1983

Retired effective Nov 15, 1994

Major General Gene A. Katke is the adjutant general of Oregon, assigned to the Military Department in Salem. He is responsible for command, control and supervision of both the federal and state missions of the Oregon National Guard and serves on the governor's cabinet as secretary of public safety and security.

He was graduated from Benson High School, Portland, in1952, with a technical electronics diploma and went on to earn a bachelor of science degree in business and technology from Oregon State University. The general then earned a master's degree in business administration from Portland State University in 1975. His military education includes Squadron Officers School, 1970; Air Command and Staff College, 1973; and Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1978.

General Katke enlisted in the Oregon Air National Guard in March 1953 and served as a communications specialist until Oct. 14, 1966. On Oct. 15, 1966, he received a direct commission to first lieutenant. He was assigned as a communications officer with the 244th Mobil Communications Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard, until July 15, 1971. While assigned to the 244th, he held the position of communication systems staff officer from July 16, 1971 to April 30, 1975, and supply operations officer from May 1, 1975 to March 31, 1976. On April 1, General Katke was assigned as commander of the newly-formed 244th Mobile Communications Flight, a position he held until Oct. 31,1976. He then accepted a position as a supply management officer with the Washington ANG, 252nd Combat Communications Group, Camp Murray, Washington on November 1, 1976. On July 3, 1977,General Katke returned to Oregon to assume command of the 244th Combat Communications Squadron, a position he held until Sept. 30, 1983. From Oct. 1, 1983 until March 27, 1988, he was assigned to Headquarters, Oregon Air National Guard, as a communications electronics staff officer. On March 28, 1988,General Katke was appointed deputy commander of the Oregon Air National Guard and then was named assistant adjutant general, Oregon Air National Guard, on June 26, 1990. General Katke was appointed as adjutant general on May 28, 1991.

General Katke's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal with one silver and one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with one bronze star, Air Force Training Ribbon, Oregon Exceptional Service Medal, Oregon National Guard Meritorious Service Medal- Thirty Year Award, Oregon Thirty Year Faithful Service Medal, Oregon Faithful Service Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Perfect Attendance Ribbon, and the Oregon Distinguished Service Award.

General Katke was promoted to and federally recognized as a major general on March 11,1993.

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