A career military officer, veteran of two world wars, peacetime ambassador of goodwill for the Air Force and the United States. He was born December 17, 1895 in Braggs, Alabama. Served as a 1st Lieutenant, Infantry, in World War I. Joined the Army Air Service in 1921. Completed pilot training at Kelly Field, Texas in 1923 and became an instructor there in 1924. Charles A. Lindbergh was one of his many distinguished students. Later became Air Corps demonstration and stunt pilot. Served as a movie technical advisor and flew for the movies. Member of the Air Corps endurance record team in 1929. Served in North Africa in 1942, eventually being named commander of the Desert Air Task Force. From Africa he was assigned as military governor of Pantellaria, an island fortress supporting the invasion of Sicily. He was next assigned as Chief of Operations and senior Air Staff Officer planning the European invasion. He retired in 1953 as Chief of Staff, 18th Air Force. Upon retirement he became an educator. He died in 1969.