Air Force general, ABQ native, to retire at lower rank after historic court martial

MAY 30TH, 2023

An Air Force major general who was convicted in a court-martial for abusive sexual contact against his twin brother’s wife after a family barbecue in Albuquerque will retire this week at a lower rank.

Maj. Gen. William Cooley, a former commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, will retire June 1 at the rank of colonel, which is two ranks below his current rank. The Air Force announced the decision following an “officer grade determination” by the Air Force secretary.

It was an historic proceeding — the case marked the first time in Air Force history that a major general faced a court-martial.

https://www.abqjournal.com/2602762/air-force-general-abq-native-to-retire-at-lower-rank-after-historic-court-martial.html