01/24/01 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- A man considered by many as the benchmark for today's special operations was inducted into the Air Force Special Operations Command Order of the Sword, Jan. 18.

Retired Brig. Gen. Harry Aderholt became the third person to be inducted into the command's Order of the Sword and the 201st to be honored as a "leader among leaders" in the Air Force during the induction ceremony, here.

"General Aderholt is truly the epitome of the Air Force special operator," said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Reynolds, AFSOC command chief master sergeant. "He is a true warrior, outstanding leader and compassionate friend of the enlisted corps in AFSOC and the Air Force. It is men like General Aderholt that helped build the 'quiet professional' reputation that makes Air Force Special Operations Command the driving force it is today."

During his acceptance speech, Aderholt thanked the thousands of noncommissioned officers throughout his career who helped him develop as a leader.

"I am not a product of the Air Force education system," Aderholt said. "I am a product of all the NCOs I served with through 40-plus years that taught me all I needed to know. They taught me how to stay alive and how to be a good leader. I didn't learn what I needed to learn in an Air Force school; I learned it on the flightline and (around the base) talking with and working with NCOs."

The general remembered those NCOs he served with around the globe, from the deserts of North Africa to the steaming jungles of Southeast Asia.

"They tutored and guided me through the wars in Korea and Southeast Asia, and throughout the half-a-dozen undeclared wars we fought," Aderholt said. "They served at every level, and showed me how to care for the troops. The NCO corps consists of some amazing leaders capable of accomplishing unbelievable feats."

Gen. Aderholt & wife, Jesse

Aderholt also thanked his wife, Jesse.

"At every level of my career she was there," he said. "She, and other special operator wives, took care of the home front while we were off around the globe making war."

Aderholt began his military career in April 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps in May 1943. Among his various conventional and unconventional special operations assignments, Aderholt served as the vice commander and commander of the 1st Air Commando Wing, here.

The general retired in August 1976, and is one of the founders of the Air Commando Association. Retirement did not keep the general from staying involved with the Special Ops community. He has served as the senior combat general responsible for low-intensity warfare war-gaming at the Air University Officer War-Gaming Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

He has also written and co-written numerous books on special operations. With a call sign of "Air Commando One," Aderholt is a frequent guest lecturer on low-intensity warfare at the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School here.

The general accepted the award not in recognition of his achievements, but for those who made it all possible.