Background
Theus, Lucius was born on October 11, 1922 in near Bells, Tennessee, United States. Son of William O. and Flora Ann (Walker) Theus.
air force officer manufacturing company executive
Theus, Lucius was born on October 11, 1922 in near Bells, Tennessee, United States. Son of William O. and Flora Ann (Walker) Theus.
Graduate, Armed Forces Staff College, 1960. Graduate (honorary), Industrial College Armed Forces, 1964. Graduate (honorary), Air War College, 1966.
Bachelor of Science, University Maryland, 1956. Master of Business Administration, George Washington University, 1957. Postgraduate Advanced Management Program, Harvard, 1969.
According to the Official DEOMI (Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute) website, General Theus chaired the military task force that resulted in Defense Directive 1322.11 which in 1971 established the military"s Race Relations Board and resulted in the founding of the DEOMI then known as the DRRI. His tour of duty began in World World War II as a private in the Army Air Corps. lieutenant included stops in Tuskegee, Germany, France, Greece, and Vietnam, and led him to command of the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center and an Assistant Directorship of the Defense Security Assistance Agency. He spent much of his military career developing and implementing administrative systems to improve the life of the average airman and soldier.
Programs such as direct deposit for military payrolls and better human relations are prime examples.
While assigned to the Pentagon, he chaired the inter-service task force where his recommendations led to a Department of Defense-wide race relations education and policy development, and establishment of the forerunner to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute. He retired from the Air Force in 1979.
General Theus was the first African American support officer and the third overall to be appointed general in the United States. Air Force.
He was also the first African American to attend Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program. He was inducted into the Enlisted Men's Hall of Fame in 1995.
The Major General Lucius Theus Auditorium at Patrick Air Force Base was dedicated in his honor in 1996. General Lucius Theus was enshrined into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame on October 19, 1996 for his long and illustrious Air Force administrative career, his unwavering attention to race and human relations in the Armed Services, and his dedication to the nation’s young people.
Co-chairman Mile High United Way, 1975, chairman, 1976, now board directors. Board directors Denver Area council Boy Scouts American, 1975. Regional chairman Explorer Scouts, 1975.
Now trustee, chairman finance committee Detroit Area council. Member American Society Military Comptrollers (president Washington chapter 1972-1973, Denver chapter 1975), Association Computing Machinery, Denver Chamber of C., American Radio Relay League, National Rifle Association, Harvard Business School Association (executive council since 1976), National Black Master of Business Administration Association Clubs: Rotarian. (Washington), Harvard (Washington), Harvard Business School (Washington) (service vice president 1973, advanced management program vice president 1975, director since 1976), Tuskegee Airmen (Washington) (national vice president since 1978), George Washington University (Washington).
Married Gladys Marie Davis, February 28, 1942.