Lieutenant general roger g. dekok

Lt General DeKok was born January 10, 1947 in Kenosha, Wisconsin where he graduated from Bradford High School in 1964.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968 and a Master of Science degree in systems management through the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1978.  He received his commission as a Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 925 in June 1968.

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During his military career, Gen. DeKok commanded two space wings: the 1st Space Wing, now known as the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and the 2nd Space Wing, now the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. Later, while serving at the Pentagon, he coordinated the Air Force Space Plan. During his assignment to the White House National Security Council, he developed and coordinated the U.S. National Space Policy that was signed by President Ronald Reagan in January 1988. Gen. DeKok became director of plans, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, in 1995; commander, Headquarters Space and Missile Systems Center, in 1996; deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., in 1998; and vice commander of the Air Force Space Command in June 2000. 

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The general retired from the military in April 2002 and joined Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in Colorado Springs in June 2002 as vice president and deputy general manager of the company's command, control and intelligence division.

 

Lt General DeKok’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.  The General was also given the Master Space and Presidential Service badges.

General DeKok married the former Carolyn Finkow of Chester, Virginia with whom he had two children, Kristen and Ryan.  The General died on April 24, 2003 just one year after his retirement.

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"“Webster defines evolution as "a gradual process." It is something that changes into a different and usually more complex or a better form. No doubt, I think, all of us would agree, that space has evolved for the better. Capabilities and effects and people have evolved in fundamental ways over the past 40 years. In some phases, there have been rapid surges and in other phases it has been far more gradual evolution. 11 September, I predict, will stand as one of those times that is going to be a fundamental date in the evolution of air and space power.” - Lt. Gen. Dekok

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​https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107256/lieutenant-general-roger-g-dekok/