Richard T. Swope
# Richard T. Swope

Richard T. Swope (November 21, 1942 – January 8, 2011) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force who served as the Inspector General of the United States Air Force from 1996 until his retirement in 1998.

## Awards and decorations

* Command Pilot Badge
* Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
* Defense Superior Service Medal
* Legion of Merit (with two bronze oak leaf cluster)
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Meritorious Service Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Air Medal (fifteen awards total)
* Air Medal
* Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Valor device and two oak leaf clusters)
* Combat Readiness Medal
* Air Force Recognition Ribbon
* National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Vietnam Service Medal (with three bronze service stars)
* Southwest Asia Service Medal (with service star)
* Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
* Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
* Air Force Longevity Service Award (with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
* Air Force Training Ribbon
* Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
* Vietnam Campaign Medal

## Personal life

General Swope was an avid aviation enthusiast as demonstrated by personally constructing and test flying a Vans Aircraft RV-8 amateur built experimental aircraft of which he was the repairmen.

## Death

After retirement, General Swope suffered an unexpected death while skiing at the Whitefish Mountain Resort in Montana on January 8, 2011.

