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| Recent Address: |
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1601 Barton Road, #3105, Redlands, CA 92373 |
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| Email: |
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| Family Information: |
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Parents: H. P. D. and Anna R.; Wife: Ruth; Children: Col. William Jr., and Kenneth (CA Superior Court Judge) |
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| Hometown: |
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Redlands, CA |
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| Date Entered Service: |
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February 1927 |
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| Service Number: |
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923A |
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| Bomb Group: |
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40th |
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| Squadron: |
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Commander 25th Bomb Sqd 1944-45 |
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| Location of Unit: |
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Pratt, KS - 1943 |
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| Missions Flown: |
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65 |
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| Hump Missions Flown: |
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Many |
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| Targets: |
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Flew first B-29 mission from India/China in 1944 and flew last B-29 mission from Tinian in 1945. |
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| Awards/Decorations: |
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Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters |
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| Service Schools Attended: |
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Flying cadet, pilot training Feb 1927-Feb 1928; B-29 training, Pratt Field 1943-44; Air Command and Staff School Jul-Dec 1948 |
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| Military Specialty(ies): |
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Commander (Squadron, Wing and Air Division), Pilot (B-17, B-29, B-47, B-52, KC-135, and others) |
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| Rank Upon Discharge: |
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Major General |
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| Crew Type: |
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Flight crew |
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| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
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42-6294 Monsoon, 42-24846 Monsoon II |
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| Were you a POW? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Were you interned? |
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No |
| If so, where? |
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| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
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September 1945 |
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| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
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May 1966 - retired |
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| Post-WWII Military Service: |
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1946-49 -- Squadron Commander (twice); Deputy Commander, 509th Bomb Wing, Walker AFB; 1948-50 -- Director of Plans, 8th Air Force; 1950-53 -- Commander, 3904th Composite Wing; 1953-57 -- Commander, 9th Bomb Wing; 1957-61 -- Commander, 47th Air Division; 1961-63 -- Commander, 3rd Air Division; 1963-66 -- Commander, 18th Strategic Aerospace Division. |
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| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
| District Manager for Standard Oil Company of California until he accepted a regular commission in 1946 and returned to Military Service. Served 20 years in SAC. He retired as a Major General in 1966. |
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| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
| Dad joined the 58th in 1943 when he went through B-29 training at Pratt, Kansas. He went with the 40th Bomb Group to Chakulia, India, and then to Tinian. Dad commanded the 25th Bomb Squadron in 1944-1945. After V-J Day, Dad piloted the lead B-29 (General LeMay's) on the non-stop Japan to Washington, D.C. flight. |
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| Comments: |
| After a brief return to civilian life, Dad accepted a regular commission in the Air Force. He served in the Strategic Air Command from 1946 until his retirement as a Major General in 1966. For the last 16 years of his AF career, Dad commanded 2 Wings and 3 Air Divisions. Dad died in October 1973. |
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