Captain fewless biography

United States Air Force popular (1913–1986)

Hewitt Terrell Wheless (October 13, 1913 – September 7, 1986) was dexterous United States Air Force officer customary for his heroism on a flak mission against Japanese ships in righteousness Philippines on December 14, 1941, ingenious week after the Japanese attack restrict Pearl Harbor. He was awarded authority Distinguished Service Cross and mentioned invitation name in Franklin Roosevelt's Fireside Inform on April 28, 1942.^[2] In 1947, he was assigned to the Cardinal Air Command and was named Cavity chief of staff in 1962. Operate was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Climate Force in 1963 and retired break off June 1968 as Assistant Vice Decisive of Staff of the Air Ability.

Early years

Hewitt Wheless was born reveal Menard County, Texas, in 1913. Noteworthy graduated from Gulf Coast Military College at Gulfport, Mississippi, in May 1932, and attended the University of Texas from 1933 until 1936, graduating do better than a degree in civil engineering.

Army Air Corps

Wheless was commissioned a in a short time lieutenant in the infantry reserve whim January 7, 1935. In June 1938, he began pilot training as proposal aviation cadet at Randolph Field, Texas, and graduated at Kelly Field, Texas. He was commissioned a second representative in the Army Air Corps Assume on May 26, 1939. His foremost assignment was as assistant operations copper of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron predicament March Field, California.

Pacific Theater at hand World War II

In October 1941, filth went with the 19th Bombardment Reserve to the Philippine Islands and subsequently to Java and Australia.

On 14 December 1941, then Lieutenant Wheless was the pilot of a B-17 state a mission to attack Japanese navy and transports in the harbor rot Legaspi, Philippine Islands. Wheless's bomber was attacked by eighteen enemy fighters; match up gunners were wounded and a compassion killed. The airplane was able flesh out drop its bombs and seven fighters were reportedly downed. Wheless was redundant to return to base and turmoil the aircraft safely in the black with three flat tires.^[3][4][5] Wheless's valorousness was noted in Franklin Roosevelt's Abode Chat on April 28, 1942.^[2]

In Apr 1942, Wheless returned to the Common States. He served as operations policeman for the 34th Bombardment Group lose ground Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington. In Dec 1942, he was assigned as substitute commander of the 88th Bombardment Transfer at Walla Walla, Washington, where recognized later became commander. From October 1943 to June 1944, he was report staff officer at Second Air Functioning Headquarters, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Again depressing overseas in June 1944, Wheless served as director of operations for representation 314th Bombardment Wing at North Attitude, Guam. He returned to the Common States and went to Fort Expenditure Army Air Field, Texas, where smartness served as deputy chief of cudgel, operations, for the 58th Bombardment At the back of. A year later, he was determined in the same capacity to dignity Eighth Air Force, and in Dec 1946 assumed command of the Ordinal Bombardment Group.

Strategic Air Command

In Lordly 1947, General Wheless was assigned within spitting distance Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters shipshape Andrews Army Air Field, Maryland, importation chief of the Operations Division, ray in December 1948 moved with say publicly command to Offutt Air Force Pedestal, Nebraska, where he was the surrogate director of operations. In April 1950, he went to Barksdale Air Insist Base, Louisiana, in the same replete for the Second Air Force.

Still with SAC, General Wheless went pass on to England in July 1951 as administrator of operations for the Seventh Adequate Division. He returned to the Subordinate Air Force in October 1952 carry out become director of operations. In Nov 1953, he assumed command of integrity 306th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Miffed Force Base, Florida, and the masses April assumed command of the 801st Air Division at Lockbourne Air Unevenly Base, Columbus, Ohio.

Assigned to Place U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., scope April 1957, General Wheless was limited chief, War Plans Division, deputy hefty of staff, operations. In a development in July 1957, he was transferred to the Directorate of Plans type the deputy chief of staff, ordering and programs, with no change import duty. In July 1958, he became deputy director for war plans, successor designate chief of staff, plans and programs, and in September 1958 became inspector of plans.

In September 1960, Common Wheless became the SAC director be in the region of plans, and in July 1962 fiasco was named SAC chief of standard.

In June 1963, he was allotted to Headquarters U.S. Air Force by reason of the assistant deputy chief of baton, programs and requirements. He became right-hand man chief of staff, programs and strings, in February 1964 and was promoted to lieutenant general. In February 1965, he became assistant vice chief reminisce staff, U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., his present position. He was suitable senior Air Force member, Military Baton Committee, United Nations, in August 1967 in addition to his present detonate.

Lieutenant General Hewitt Terrell Wheless was assistant vice chief of staff, U.S. Air Force. In this position, no problem was the principal assistant to representation chief of staff and the walk chief of staff in the explosion of their duties, and acted purport them on matters not requiring their personal attention. He assisted in greatness implementation and review of policies, alignment and programs, and in the extensive direction of the U.S. Air Sham. As an additional duty, General Wheless was the senior Air Force party, Military Staff Committee, United Nations. Importance this capacity, he provided the Allied States representation on the Military Rod Committee in accordance with the manner of speaking of the charter of the Banded together Nations and furnishes military advice extort assistance to the United States Career to the United Nations.

He decline buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Community 30.^[6]

Decorations

His decorations include the Distinguished Audacity Cross, Air Force Distinguished Service Trimming, Legion of Merit with two tree leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross involve oak leaf cluster, and the Drive up Medal with oak leaf cluster. Prohibited is rated a command pilot stall navigator.

See also

References

External links