US Air Force General. Born in Boston, Massachusttes, he graduated from the US Military Academy in 1938 and was commissioned an officer in the Army Air Corps. After completing pilot training at Kelly Airfield Texas, he held assignments as a flight instructor and as chief of advanced pilot training in the Flying Training Command and joined the initial B-29 bomber deployed to the Pacific Theatre in 1943. In 1944, he was deputy commander of the first B-29 58th Bomb Wing in China, to begin bombing operations against the Japanese mainland. He was soon was assigned as commander of the 40th Bomb Group and later as operations officer of the 21st Bomber Command in the Marianas and planned plus flew raids against major Japanese targets. In 1945, as a Colonel serving with General Curtis LeMay, he directed the detailed operations for the first atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan. After the war, he became Commanding Officer of the 509th Bomb Group and by 1948, he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command 8th Air Force in Texas, was deputy director of operations in 1953 and was Brigadier General in command of the 7th Air Division England, in 1957. Returning to the US SAC headquarters in 1960, he was promoted Lieutenant General Inspector General, US Air Force and was named deputy chief of staff at US Air Force Headquarters in 1963. In February 1964, he was assigned as senior Air Force officer Military Staff Committee of the United Nations and was promoted full Four Star General Vice Chief of Staff of the US Air Force on February 19, 1965. He died of a heart attack while still on active duty at the Pentagon, at age 50.
US Air Force General. Born in Boston, Massachusttes, he graduated from the US Military Academy in 1938 and was commissioned an officer in the Army Air Corps. After completing pilot training at Kelly Airfield Texas, he held assignments as a flight instructor and as chief of advanced pilot training in the Flying Training Command and joined the initial B-29 bomber deployed to the Pacific Theatre in 1943. In 1944, he was deputy commander of the first B-29 58th Bomb Wing in China, to begin bombing operations against the Japanese mainland. He was soon was assigned as commander of the 40th Bomb Group and later as operations officer of the 21st Bomber Command in the Marianas and planned plus flew raids against major Japanese targets. In 1945, as a Colonel serving with General Curtis LeMay, he directed the detailed operations for the first atomic bomb attack on Hiroshima, Japan. After the war, he became Commanding Officer of the 509th Bomb Group and by 1948, he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command 8th Air Force in Texas, was deputy director of operations in 1953 and was Brigadier General in command of the 7th Air Division England, in 1957. Returning to the US SAC headquarters in 1960, he was promoted Lieutenant General Inspector General, US Air Force and was named deputy chief of staff at US Air Force Headquarters in 1963. In February 1964, he was assigned as senior Air Force officer Military Staff Committee of the United Nations and was promoted full Four Star General Vice Chief of Staff of the US Air Force on February 19, 1965. He died of a heart attack while still on active duty at the Pentagon, at age 50.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
General, Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
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