William Paul Fife

William Paul Fife
Nickname(s)Bill
Born(1917-11-23)November 23, 1917
Plymouth, Indiana
DiedOctober 13, 2008(2008-10-13) (aged 90)
Bryan, Texas
Place of burial
Allegiance United States of America
BranchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1939–1967
RankColonel
AwardsAmerican Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 arrowhead and 3 bronze stars
Philippine Liberation Medal
World War II Victory Medal
American Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation Medal - Japan
Korean Service Medal with 1 bronze star
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal
Commendation Ribbon with cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award 1 silver and 1 bronze oak cluster
Bronze Star Medal with 3 clusters and 1 bronze arrowhead
United Nations Service Medal with 2 clusters
Legion of Merit
Parachute wings with star
Combat Infantryman Badge
Other workTexas A&M University
University of Texas Medical Branch

Colonel William Paul Fife USAF (Ret) (November 23, 1917 October 13, 2008) was a United States Air Force officer that first proved the feasibility for U.S. Air Force Security Service airborne Communications Intelligence (COMINT) collection and Fife is considered the "Father of Airborne Intercept". Fife was also a hyperbaric medicine specialist who was known for his pioneering research on pressurized environments ranging from high altitude to underwater habitats. Fife was a Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University.