Rollen Henry Anthis

Rollen Henry Anthis, was a two-star Major General (United States) in the United States Air Force who served as Commanding General, of the Seventeenth Air Force, Air Force Logistics Command, Headquarters Command, and the 2d Air Division. As commander, he was responsible for all U.S. Air Force operations in Vietnam, Thailand, and the United States Air Forces in Europe. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1973.[1]

In November 1961 General Anthis was assigned to South Vietnam in the dual role of commander for the then 2nd Advanced Echelon later the 2d Air Division - and chief of the Air Force Section to the Military Assistance Advisory Group. As 2nd Air Division commander General Anthis was responsible for all U.S. Air Force operations in Vietnam and Thailand. General Anthis became known as "Mr. COIN AIR." General Anthis was also involved in Farm Gate. In February 1964, General Anthis was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff as special assistant for counterinsurgency and special activities. General Anthis assumed command of Headquarters Command, U.S. Air Force in January 1966.

General Anthis became commander of the Seventeenth Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, then headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in December 1967. General Anthis also served as commander of Allied Sector III, Air Defense, 4th Allied Tactical Air Force headquartered at Borfink, Germany. General Anthis assumed duties as chief of staff, Combined Military Planning Staff, Central Treaty Organization, Ankara, Turkey, in July 1969. In December 1971 General Anthis was assigned to Air Force Logistics Command which was located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

General Anthis was a member of the First Christian Church in El Reno, Oklahoma. General Anthis was also a member of the Masons, Elks, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, and the Air Force Association. Major General Rollen Henry Anthis, died of cancer on August 19, 1995.

General Anthis's military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Alawite Medal of the Third Order (Morocceudes Consulate General French) and the Medal of Independence (Libya). General Anthis was also awarded the wings of the French Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Vietnamese Air Force and the Republic of Korea Air Force. In April 1964, the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, awarded General Anthis its Legion of Honor. General Anthis was the first recipient of the Air Force Association's Citation of Honor Award for outstanding work in counterinsurgency in Southeast Asia.