Biography

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush on 9 November 2005. Other recipients were Frank Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Paul Rusesabagina, Carol Burnett, Andy Griffith, Aretha Franklin, Vint Cerf and his Internet co-developer Robert Kahn, Jack Nicklaus, Alan Greenspan, and former congressman G.V. Sonny Montgomery.

General Richard B. Myers, United States Air Force was the Commander-in-Chief of North American Aerospace Defense Command (CINCNORAD) & United States Space Command (CINCUSSPACECOM) and Commander Air Force Space Command (COMAFSPC) from August 14, 1998 - February 22, 2000; Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS) from February 29, 2000 - October 1, 2001 and finally Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) from October 1, 2001 - September 30, 2005.

[on witnessing the attack on the Pentagon on 9/11]: When I came across the 14th Street Bridge fire and black smoke were coming out of the Pentagon, It was one of those moments where I said, 'Okay, this is a dream,' because it just seemed surreal. I actually kind of slapped my face to make sure I was awake. And I just said, 'Okay, this is real.'

[on hearing the first attacks on 9/11]: I was on Capitol Hill about ready to meet with Sen. Max Cleland, the former senator from Georgia, in preparation for my confirmation hearing. By the time I got to the office, the first tower had been hit. I went into the meeting with Senator Cleland. The second tower was hit. We knew we had something going besides an airplane running into a building.

[on President George W. Bush's feelings on September 11, 2001]: The president was very serious and very somber. I think he felt like, 'okay, I let the country down. One of my primary jobs is to protect the American citizens. I have failed.' He took that very personally.