Neil D. Van Sickle

Who is Neil D. Van Sickle?

Neil David Van Sickle is a retired American Air Force major general who was the deputy inspector general at Headquarters, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. The inspector general is responsible for evaluating command mission accomplishment, the effectiveness of management, utilization of Air Force personnel and resources, and for determining the status of combat readiness within the Air Force. Additionally, he is responsible for policies and procedures concerning Air Force-wide safety programs, special investigations, counterintelligence activities and Air Force security police activities.

Van Sickle was born in Minot, North Dakota, in 1915. His military career began in 1932 when he enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard. Two years later he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from USMA on June 14, 1938, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of cavalry, assigned to the Fourth Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade, South Dakota.

In December 1940, he was transferred to the Army Air Corps after completing flying school at Kelly Field, Texas. The general served with the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command in the North Atlantic area early in World War II as a squadron commander and in various staff positions. In 1944 he served on the staff of the 73rd Wing on Saipan and flew 16 combat missions against Japan. At the end of the war he was deputy commander of the 497th Bombardment Group.