USMA Class of 1924. Cullum No. 7445.
He was the son of Frederick C. Harper and Clorinda Wells Harper.
Per the 1930 Census for Bexar County, Texas, he was age 27 at his first marriage for a marriage year about 1927 to Margaret Weber McCully.
They were the parents of one child.
∼Lieutenant General, United States Air Force. Robert Wells Harper graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on 12 June 1924. His first assignment was with the Seventh Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
Harper decided that he liked flying better than marching so in September 1925 he began training at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He completed the primary training in March 1926 and was immediately transferred to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He graduated in September as a fully trained pilot. His first flying duty was with the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas. In June 1927, he returned to Brooks Field as Assistant Operations Officer of the Air Corps Primary Flying School; two years after that he became Secretary of the School. In May 1928, he was formally transferred from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps.
In December 1930, Harper went to Nichols Field in the Philippine Islands for duty with the Fourth Composite Group. He was transferred to the Third Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, in July 1931. After returning to the United States in December of 1932, Harper was assigned as Personnel Adjutant at Chanute Field, Illinois; he became the Post Adjutant in July 1934. Harper became a student at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1936 and graduated in June 1937. He was then transferred to Edgewood Arsenals, Maryland, where he attended the Chemical Warfare School. In August 1937, Harper entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated in June 1938. His next assignment, in 1939, was as Assistant Tactics Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later served as Commanding Officer of Battalion of Cadets, and Executive Officer, Headquarters United States Cadet Corps, at the Academy.
In July 1942, Harper was assigned to duty in the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and Training, Headquarters United States Army Air Forces, Washington, District of Columbia. A month later, he became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and, in March 1943, was designated as Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training. Harper was sent to Germany in September 1944 as Air Advisor to the European Advisory Commission (the Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany, and Director of Post Hostilities Planning), United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe. On November 1st, he was appointed Director of the Air Control Council Group and, a month later, he became Chief of the Air Division, United States Group Control Council (Germany). In 1945, Harper was named Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany and, in October 1946, he was appointed Director of the Armed Forces Division, Office of United States Military Government for Germany.
Upon his return to the United States in May 1947, Harper was assigned to the War Department in Washington, and the following month transferred to Headquarters United States Army Air Forces. On 1 July 1947 he became Commanding General of the Air Transport Command with headquarters at Gravelly Point, Virginia. In May 1948, Harper was named as Commanding General of the Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Harper became Commanding General (later Commander) of the Air Training Command, with Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on 15 October 1948. Air Training Command Headquarters was moved to Scott Air Force Base, IL in November 1949. Harper remained in that command until his retirement from active duty on 30 June 1954. Lieutenant General Harper was rated as a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Aircraft Observer and Technical Observer. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Honors. Lieut. General Robert W. Harper has Honoree Record 3282 at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Bio compiled by Charles A. Lewis.
He was the son of Frederick C. Harper and Clorinda Wells Harper.
Per the 1930 Census for Bexar County, Texas, he was age 27 at his first marriage for a marriage year about 1927 to Margaret Weber McCully.
They were the parents of one child.
∼Lieutenant General, United States Air Force. Robert Wells Harper graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on 12 June 1924. His first assignment was with the Seventh Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
Harper decided that he liked flying better than marching so in September 1925 he began training at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He completed the primary training in March 1926 and was immediately transferred to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He graduated in September as a fully trained pilot. His first flying duty was with the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas. In June 1927, he returned to Brooks Field as Assistant Operations Officer of the Air Corps Primary Flying School; two years after that he became Secretary of the School. In May 1928, he was formally transferred from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps.
In December 1930, Harper went to Nichols Field in the Philippine Islands for duty with the Fourth Composite Group. He was transferred to the Third Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, in July 1931. After returning to the United States in December of 1932, Harper was assigned as Personnel Adjutant at Chanute Field, Illinois; he became the Post Adjutant in July 1934. Harper became a student at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1936 and graduated in June 1937. He was then transferred to Edgewood Arsenals, Maryland, where he attended the Chemical Warfare School. In August 1937, Harper entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated in June 1938. His next assignment, in 1939, was as Assistant Tactics Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later served as Commanding Officer of Battalion of Cadets, and Executive Officer, Headquarters United States Cadet Corps, at the Academy.
In July 1942, Harper was assigned to duty in the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and Training, Headquarters United States Army Air Forces, Washington, District of Columbia. A month later, he became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and, in March 1943, was designated as Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training. Harper was sent to Germany in September 1944 as Air Advisor to the European Advisory Commission (the Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany, and Director of Post Hostilities Planning), United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe. On November 1st, he was appointed Director of the Air Control Council Group and, a month later, he became Chief of the Air Division, United States Group Control Council (Germany). In 1945, Harper was named Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany and, in October 1946, he was appointed Director of the Armed Forces Division, Office of United States Military Government for Germany.
Upon his return to the United States in May 1947, Harper was assigned to the War Department in Washington, and the following month transferred to Headquarters United States Army Air Forces. On 1 July 1947 he became Commanding General of the Air Transport Command with headquarters at Gravelly Point, Virginia. In May 1948, Harper was named as Commanding General of the Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Harper became Commanding General (later Commander) of the Air Training Command, with Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on 15 October 1948. Air Training Command Headquarters was moved to Scott Air Force Base, IL in November 1949. Harper remained in that command until his retirement from active duty on 30 June 1954. Lieutenant General Harper was rated as a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Aircraft Observer and Technical Observer. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Honors. Lieut. General Robert W. Harper has Honoree Record 3282 at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Bio compiled by Charles A. Lewis.
USMA Class of 1924. Cullum No. 7445.
He was the son of Frederick C. Harper and Clorinda Wells Harper.
Per the 1930 Census for Bexar County, Texas, he was age 27 at his first marriage for a marriage year about 1927 to Margaret Weber McCully.
They were the parents of one child.
∼Lieutenant General, United States Air Force. Robert Wells Harper graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on 12 June 1924. His first assignment was with the Seventh Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
Harper decided that he liked flying better than marching so in September 1925 he began training at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He completed the primary training in March 1926 and was immediately transferred to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He graduated in September as a fully trained pilot. His first flying duty was with the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas. In June 1927, he returned to Brooks Field as Assistant Operations Officer of the Air Corps Primary Flying School; two years after that he became Secretary of the School. In May 1928, he was formally transferred from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps.
In December 1930, Harper went to Nichols Field in the Philippine Islands for duty with the Fourth Composite Group. He was transferred to the Third Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, in July 1931. After returning to the United States in December of 1932, Harper was assigned as Personnel Adjutant at Chanute Field, Illinois; he became the Post Adjutant in July 1934. Harper became a student at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1936 and graduated in June 1937. He was then transferred to Edgewood Arsenals, Maryland, where he attended the Chemical Warfare School. In August 1937, Harper entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated in June 1938. His next assignment, in 1939, was as Assistant Tactics Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later served as Commanding Officer of Battalion of Cadets, and Executive Officer, Headquarters United States Cadet Corps, at the Academy.
In July 1942, Harper was assigned to duty in the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and Training, Headquarters United States Army Air Forces, Washington, District of Columbia. A month later, he became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and, in March 1943, was designated as Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training. Harper was sent to Germany in September 1944 as Air Advisor to the European Advisory Commission (the Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany, and Director of Post Hostilities Planning), United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe. On November 1st, he was appointed Director of the Air Control Council Group and, a month later, he became Chief of the Air Division, United States Group Control Council (Germany). In 1945, Harper was named Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany and, in October 1946, he was appointed Director of the Armed Forces Division, Office of United States Military Government for Germany.
Upon his return to the United States in May 1947, Harper was assigned to the War Department in Washington, and the following month transferred to Headquarters United States Army Air Forces. On 1 July 1947 he became Commanding General of the Air Transport Command with headquarters at Gravelly Point, Virginia. In May 1948, Harper was named as Commanding General of the Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Harper became Commanding General (later Commander) of the Air Training Command, with Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on 15 October 1948. Air Training Command Headquarters was moved to Scott Air Force Base, IL in November 1949. Harper remained in that command until his retirement from active duty on 30 June 1954. Lieutenant General Harper was rated as a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Aircraft Observer and Technical Observer. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Honors. Lieut. General Robert W. Harper has Honoree Record 3282 at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Bio compiled by Charles A. Lewis.
He was the son of Frederick C. Harper and Clorinda Wells Harper.
Per the 1930 Census for Bexar County, Texas, he was age 27 at his first marriage for a marriage year about 1927 to Margaret Weber McCully.
They were the parents of one child.
∼Lieutenant General, United States Air Force. Robert Wells Harper graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry on 12 June 1924. His first assignment was with the Seventh Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
Harper decided that he liked flying better than marching so in September 1925 he began training at the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas. He completed the primary training in March 1926 and was immediately transferred to the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He graduated in September as a fully trained pilot. His first flying duty was with the Third Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas. In June 1927, he returned to Brooks Field as Assistant Operations Officer of the Air Corps Primary Flying School; two years after that he became Secretary of the School. In May 1928, he was formally transferred from the Infantry to the Army Air Corps.
In December 1930, Harper went to Nichols Field in the Philippine Islands for duty with the Fourth Composite Group. He was transferred to the Third Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, in July 1931. After returning to the United States in December of 1932, Harper was assigned as Personnel Adjutant at Chanute Field, Illinois; he became the Post Adjutant in July 1934. Harper became a student at the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in August 1936 and graduated in June 1937. He was then transferred to Edgewood Arsenals, Maryland, where he attended the Chemical Warfare School. In August 1937, Harper entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and graduated in June 1938. His next assignment, in 1939, was as Assistant Tactics Instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later served as Commanding Officer of Battalion of Cadets, and Executive Officer, Headquarters United States Cadet Corps, at the Academy.
In July 1942, Harper was assigned to duty in the Office of the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and Training, Headquarters United States Army Air Forces, Washington, District of Columbia. A month later, he became Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and, in March 1943, was designated as Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training. Harper was sent to Germany in September 1944 as Air Advisor to the European Advisory Commission (the Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany, and Director of Post Hostilities Planning), United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe. On November 1st, he was appointed Director of the Air Control Council Group and, a month later, he became Chief of the Air Division, United States Group Control Council (Germany). In 1945, Harper was named Director of Air Activities for Control of Germany and, in October 1946, he was appointed Director of the Armed Forces Division, Office of United States Military Government for Germany.
Upon his return to the United States in May 1947, Harper was assigned to the War Department in Washington, and the following month transferred to Headquarters United States Army Air Forces. On 1 July 1947 he became Commanding General of the Air Transport Command with headquarters at Gravelly Point, Virginia. In May 1948, Harper was named as Commanding General of the Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Harper became Commanding General (later Commander) of the Air Training Command, with Headquarters at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, on 15 October 1948. Air Training Command Headquarters was moved to Scott Air Force Base, IL in November 1949. Harper remained in that command until his retirement from active duty on 30 June 1954. Lieutenant General Harper was rated as a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, Aircraft Observer and Technical Observer. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster.
Honors. Lieut. General Robert W. Harper has Honoree Record 3282 at MilitaryHallofHonor.com.
Bio compiled by Charles A. Lewis.
