Gen. Richard Frymire is the only Kentucky Air National Guardsman to serve as Adjutant General of Kentucky. An aviator with over 4,000 hours in jet fighter/reconnaissance aircraft, Frymire served as the principal military advisor to Governors Ford and Carroll. As Commander of the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard, he oversaw 7,500 members and their training, equipping and preparing units for peacetime and wartime missions. He also oversaw the state Division of Emergency Management.

An Irvington native, Frymire enjoyed a 31-year military career. After graduating from Centre College in '52, he entered the Naval Aviation cadet program. He was designated a Naval Aviator with commission as second lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps in March 1954. Upon completing his Marine Corps tour in '56, he returned to KY and joined the KY Air National Guard. He also entered the UK-Law School, graduating in '59 and moving his family to Madisonville.

From '56 to '68, he was a pilot, instructor pilot, flight leader, and operations officer. In the 1968 Pueblo crisis, Frymire was mobilized for active duty. During this period he flew RF-101 missions in Korea and Alaska. Frymire also served as Majority Leader of the KY State Senate. His political career began in '62 and included eight years in the General Assembly, four each in the House of Representatives and Senate

In '71, Governor Ford appointed him as Adjutant General of KY. Under his leadership, the KYANG emerged as the best Air National Guard unit in the nation. The foundation Frymire laid led to the KYANG winning the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (today the KYANG is the most decorated ANG unit in the nation) and the '81 Spaatz Trophy signifying the "Best ANG Flying Unit in the Nation."

As Director of the Division of Disaster and Emergency Services, Frymire overhauled the Civil Defense division of the KY Military Department by changing its focus from surviving nuclear bombs, to providing first response aid to tornado and flood victims and administering the FEMA recovery programs.

Additionally, Frymire served as Chairman, Tactical Air Command Reserve Forces Policy Committee. He was one of two Air National Guard general officer representatives on the Air Reserve Forces General Officer Management Committee.

His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. General Frymire was also awarded a Distinguished Service Medal from both KY and Oklahoma. Additionally, the National Guard Association of the United States awarded him its Distinguished Service Medal in 1977.