Edward R. Fry
Kansas' 29th Adjutant General
January 01, 1973 - September 30, 1980

Maj Gen Edward R. Fry, the Adjutant General of Kansas from 1973 to 1980, was a veteran of more than 38 years of active and reserve service. He was elected to a two year term as President of the National Guard Association of the United States in 1978. In this position he actively worked to complete implementation of the "Total Force Policy" in which increased responsibilities upon reserve forces were accompanied by improved equipment and additional manpower.
 

Fry graduated from Army Air Corps Pilot Training in September of 1942 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. In the early days of World War II he served as an instructor pilot and in August of 1944 transferred to the European Theater of Operations. Flying a P-51 aircraft, he completed 53 combat missions and was credited with 4.5 enemy aircraft and one probably destroyed.
 

Following the war, Fry served with the occupation forces in Germany until 1946. Upon his return to Wichita, he was instrumental in the reactivation of the 127th Fighter Squadron, Kansas National Guard, which is known today as the 184th Bomb Wing. During the Korean War, the 127th Fighter Squadron was activitated and served with NATO forces in France with Fry in the position of Director of Operations.

In the mid-1950s, Fry moved to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff (Air), Kansas Air National Guard, where he worked to obtain a second Air National Guard unit for the state. This unit, the 117th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, is today the 190th Air Refueling Wing, Topeka.

Fry was promoted to Brigadier General in February 1960 and assumed the duties of the Assistant Adjutant General (Air). He was responsible for the rapid mobilization of the 184th Tactical Fighter Group during the "Pueblo Crisis" of 1968.
 

Fry became the Adjutant General of Kansas in 1973. Also in 1973, he oversaw the creation of the Smoky Hill Weapons Range southwest of Salina. This range is a valuable training area for Guard, Reserve, and Active Air Force crews as well as Army National Guard units.
 

Fry retired in October, 1980. During his military career, Fry remained active in community service. In 1957 and 1958 he was Campaign Chairman for the United Fund Drive of Wichita, and remained a member of the United Way Board of Directors in Wichita through 1970. In 1970, working with the Wichita Chamber of Commerce he was able to establish the "Citizen-Soldier Award" which is presented annually to the most outstanding enlisted person in a Kansas Guard or Reserve unit. This award is still being presented annually in the Wichita area. Fry was also very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars and volunteering for the Veterans Hospitals.
 

Maj. Gen. Fry was the first Adjutant General of Kansas from the Air National Guard.