| Birth: | Feb. 5, 1900 | | Death: | Nov. 6, 1984 | 
United States Air Force Lieutenant General. Born in Dublin, Texas, he enlisted in the US Army in 1922, became a flying cadet in 1923, earned his wings and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1924. Assigned to the 16th Observation squadron at Fort Riley, Kansas, one of duties was to fly the presidential airmail from the summer White House in Superior, Wisconsin. He later became a flying instructor, then commanding officer of the squadron at Albrook Field, Canal Zone in 1935 and commander of the 11th Bombardment Squadron at Hamilton Field, California, until 1940. With the advent of World War II, he was promoted Colonel in command of the 97th Bombardment Group, with station first in England and later in Africa. In 1943, he was promoted Brigadier in command of the 5th Bomb Wing in Italy and was designated as deputy commanding General of the 15th Air Force in February 1944 and remained in that assignment until July 1944, when he was designated as commanding General of the III Bomber Command at MacDill Field, Florida. After the war, he was assigned to the Alaskan Department at Fort Richardson, was promoted to Major General in 1948 and at Elmendorf Air Force Base, was promoted Lieutenant General in 1953. In September 1956, he was appointed commander of the Air Defense Command, US Air Force Base, Colorado, where he remained until his retirement February 28, 1961. He died at the age of 84 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)
Search Amazon for Joseph Atkinson | | | Burial:
United States Air Force Academy Cemetery
Colorado Springs
El Paso County
Colorado, USA
Plot: Section 3, Row B, Lot 74 |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: Russ Jacobs
Record added: May 09, 2005
Find A Grave Memorial# 10932786 |
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Added by:
Anthony S
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