USMA Class of 1934. Cullum No. 10046.
He was the son of William D. Gross and Fannie Gross.
On December 31, 1937 as William M. Gross, he married Ruth E. Clay at Los Angeles County, California.
They were the parents of two children.
William Milton Gross was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1908, the son of William D. and Fannie Gross. He attended Kansas Wesleyan University prior to entering West Point. In 1927, he began his military career as a member of the Kansans National Guard. On July 1, 1930, he entered West Point. At graduation in 1934, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. Shortly after graduation he began flight training. After graduating from basic and advanced schools at Randolph and Kelly Fields he received his pilot rating in 1935. His first assignment was at March Field, California with the 30th Bomb Squadron. In September 1937, he became Assistant Operations officer at the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in Illinois. In February 1938, he entered the Armament Course at the school, graduating in September 1939. He became the bombsight officer for the 29th Bomb Squadron at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. In December 1940, with the rank of Captain he was assigned as Engineering Officer for the Army Air Forces Combat Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. He later became commander of Headquarters Squadron at Bolling. During this assignment, he was promoted to major. During World War II, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was first named Assistant Chief of Staff for materiel on an emergency staff at Fort Dix, New Jersey, to prepare the 8th Air Force Service Command for overseas. Upon arrival at Bushy Park in England, with the rank of Brigadier General, he was named Chief of Staff for operations with the 8th Air Force Service Command. In July 1943, he assumed command of the 101st Provisional Combat Wing. In May 1944, he was named commanding general of the 1st Combat Wing in Europe. He led the first bombing raid on Schweinfurt, Germany. Several significant changes in combat flying technique were developed by his wing during World War II. After the war, he volunteered his wing to fly Allied personnel out of Germany. His wing, the 1st Combat Wing, was cited by the commander of the 8th Air Force for outstanding operations. He was one of the very few officers to attain the rank of brigadier general before completing ten years military service. In September 1945, after 21 years of continuous combat duty, he returned to the United States to command the 1st Bomb Wing at McChord Field, Washington, which was scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Theater. In July 1946, he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Air Force at Greenville, North Carolina. In August 1947, he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, graduating in June 1948. In 1948, he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He served as Director of Requirements, became Deputy for Operations in 1950 and in 1951 was appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In July 1951, he was appointed the first regular commandant of the United States Air Force Air Ground Operations School at Southern Pines, North Carolina. He had been the project officer for establishing the school. When he left Southern Pines he was made the town's first honorary citizen. In 1952, he assisted Pacific Air Command in setting up an Air Ground Operations School. As Deputy Commander of the 12th Air Force in Europe, he designed a complete school facility, arranging for construction and establishing the school at Ramstein, Germany. In June 1957, he was assigned as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. From March 1960 to August 1963, he was assigned as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. On August 26, 1963, he became Director of Transportation at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. When he retired on July 31, 1964, he moved to McAllen, Texas where he was involved in the Orange Belt Gardens real estate business. He died of a heart attack on February 2, 1972.
Sources: United States Air Force Biographies and United States Military Academy Association of Graduates memorial.
He was the son of William D. Gross and Fannie Gross.
On December 31, 1937 as William M. Gross, he married Ruth E. Clay at Los Angeles County, California.
They were the parents of two children.
William Milton Gross was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1908, the son of William D. and Fannie Gross. He attended Kansas Wesleyan University prior to entering West Point. In 1927, he began his military career as a member of the Kansans National Guard. On July 1, 1930, he entered West Point. At graduation in 1934, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. Shortly after graduation he began flight training. After graduating from basic and advanced schools at Randolph and Kelly Fields he received his pilot rating in 1935. His first assignment was at March Field, California with the 30th Bomb Squadron. In September 1937, he became Assistant Operations officer at the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in Illinois. In February 1938, he entered the Armament Course at the school, graduating in September 1939. He became the bombsight officer for the 29th Bomb Squadron at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. In December 1940, with the rank of Captain he was assigned as Engineering Officer for the Army Air Forces Combat Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. He later became commander of Headquarters Squadron at Bolling. During this assignment, he was promoted to major. During World War II, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was first named Assistant Chief of Staff for materiel on an emergency staff at Fort Dix, New Jersey, to prepare the 8th Air Force Service Command for overseas. Upon arrival at Bushy Park in England, with the rank of Brigadier General, he was named Chief of Staff for operations with the 8th Air Force Service Command. In July 1943, he assumed command of the 101st Provisional Combat Wing. In May 1944, he was named commanding general of the 1st Combat Wing in Europe. He led the first bombing raid on Schweinfurt, Germany. Several significant changes in combat flying technique were developed by his wing during World War II. After the war, he volunteered his wing to fly Allied personnel out of Germany. His wing, the 1st Combat Wing, was cited by the commander of the 8th Air Force for outstanding operations. He was one of the very few officers to attain the rank of brigadier general before completing ten years military service. In September 1945, after 21 years of continuous combat duty, he returned to the United States to command the 1st Bomb Wing at McChord Field, Washington, which was scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Theater. In July 1946, he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Air Force at Greenville, North Carolina. In August 1947, he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, graduating in June 1948. In 1948, he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He served as Director of Requirements, became Deputy for Operations in 1950 and in 1951 was appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In July 1951, he was appointed the first regular commandant of the United States Air Force Air Ground Operations School at Southern Pines, North Carolina. He had been the project officer for establishing the school. When he left Southern Pines he was made the town's first honorary citizen. In 1952, he assisted Pacific Air Command in setting up an Air Ground Operations School. As Deputy Commander of the 12th Air Force in Europe, he designed a complete school facility, arranging for construction and establishing the school at Ramstein, Germany. In June 1957, he was assigned as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. From March 1960 to August 1963, he was assigned as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. On August 26, 1963, he became Director of Transportation at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. When he retired on July 31, 1964, he moved to McAllen, Texas where he was involved in the Orange Belt Gardens real estate business. He died of a heart attack on February 2, 1972.
Sources: United States Air Force Biographies and United States Military Academy Association of Graduates memorial.
USMA Class of 1934. Cullum No. 10046.
He was the son of William D. Gross and Fannie Gross.
On December 31, 1937 as William M. Gross, he married Ruth E. Clay at Los Angeles County, California.
They were the parents of two children.
William Milton Gross was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1908, the son of William D. and Fannie Gross. He attended Kansas Wesleyan University prior to entering West Point. In 1927, he began his military career as a member of the Kansans National Guard. On July 1, 1930, he entered West Point. At graduation in 1934, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. Shortly after graduation he began flight training. After graduating from basic and advanced schools at Randolph and Kelly Fields he received his pilot rating in 1935. His first assignment was at March Field, California with the 30th Bomb Squadron. In September 1937, he became Assistant Operations officer at the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in Illinois. In February 1938, he entered the Armament Course at the school, graduating in September 1939. He became the bombsight officer for the 29th Bomb Squadron at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. In December 1940, with the rank of Captain he was assigned as Engineering Officer for the Army Air Forces Combat Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. He later became commander of Headquarters Squadron at Bolling. During this assignment, he was promoted to major. During World War II, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was first named Assistant Chief of Staff for materiel on an emergency staff at Fort Dix, New Jersey, to prepare the 8th Air Force Service Command for overseas. Upon arrival at Bushy Park in England, with the rank of Brigadier General, he was named Chief of Staff for operations with the 8th Air Force Service Command. In July 1943, he assumed command of the 101st Provisional Combat Wing. In May 1944, he was named commanding general of the 1st Combat Wing in Europe. He led the first bombing raid on Schweinfurt, Germany. Several significant changes in combat flying technique were developed by his wing during World War II. After the war, he volunteered his wing to fly Allied personnel out of Germany. His wing, the 1st Combat Wing, was cited by the commander of the 8th Air Force for outstanding operations. He was one of the very few officers to attain the rank of brigadier general before completing ten years military service. In September 1945, after 21 years of continuous combat duty, he returned to the United States to command the 1st Bomb Wing at McChord Field, Washington, which was scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Theater. In July 1946, he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Air Force at Greenville, North Carolina. In August 1947, he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, graduating in June 1948. In 1948, he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He served as Director of Requirements, became Deputy for Operations in 1950 and in 1951 was appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In July 1951, he was appointed the first regular commandant of the United States Air Force Air Ground Operations School at Southern Pines, North Carolina. He had been the project officer for establishing the school. When he left Southern Pines he was made the town's first honorary citizen. In 1952, he assisted Pacific Air Command in setting up an Air Ground Operations School. As Deputy Commander of the 12th Air Force in Europe, he designed a complete school facility, arranging for construction and establishing the school at Ramstein, Germany. In June 1957, he was assigned as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. From March 1960 to August 1963, he was assigned as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. On August 26, 1963, he became Director of Transportation at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. When he retired on July 31, 1964, he moved to McAllen, Texas where he was involved in the Orange Belt Gardens real estate business. He died of a heart attack on February 2, 1972.
Sources: United States Air Force Biographies and United States Military Academy Association of Graduates memorial.
He was the son of William D. Gross and Fannie Gross.
On December 31, 1937 as William M. Gross, he married Ruth E. Clay at Los Angeles County, California.
They were the parents of two children.
William Milton Gross was born in St. Joseph, Missouri in 1908, the son of William D. and Fannie Gross. He attended Kansas Wesleyan University prior to entering West Point. In 1927, he began his military career as a member of the Kansans National Guard. On July 1, 1930, he entered West Point. At graduation in 1934, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery. Shortly after graduation he began flight training. After graduating from basic and advanced schools at Randolph and Kelly Fields he received his pilot rating in 1935. His first assignment was at March Field, California with the 30th Bomb Squadron. In September 1937, he became Assistant Operations officer at the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field in Illinois. In February 1938, he entered the Armament Course at the school, graduating in September 1939. He became the bombsight officer for the 29th Bomb Squadron at Clark Field in the Philippine Islands. In December 1940, with the rank of Captain he was assigned as Engineering Officer for the Army Air Forces Combat Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. He later became commander of Headquarters Squadron at Bolling. During this assignment, he was promoted to major. During World War II, as Lieutenant Colonel, he was first named Assistant Chief of Staff for materiel on an emergency staff at Fort Dix, New Jersey, to prepare the 8th Air Force Service Command for overseas. Upon arrival at Bushy Park in England, with the rank of Brigadier General, he was named Chief of Staff for operations with the 8th Air Force Service Command. In July 1943, he assumed command of the 101st Provisional Combat Wing. In May 1944, he was named commanding general of the 1st Combat Wing in Europe. He led the first bombing raid on Schweinfurt, Germany. Several significant changes in combat flying technique were developed by his wing during World War II. After the war, he volunteered his wing to fly Allied personnel out of Germany. His wing, the 1st Combat Wing, was cited by the commander of the 8th Air Force for outstanding operations. He was one of the very few officers to attain the rank of brigadier general before completing ten years military service. In September 1945, after 21 years of continuous combat duty, he returned to the United States to command the 1st Bomb Wing at McChord Field, Washington, which was scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Theater. In July 1946, he became Chief of Staff of the 3rd Air Force at Greenville, North Carolina. In August 1947, he entered the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, graduating in June 1948. In 1948, he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. He served as Director of Requirements, became Deputy for Operations in 1950 and in 1951 was appointed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. In July 1951, he was appointed the first regular commandant of the United States Air Force Air Ground Operations School at Southern Pines, North Carolina. He had been the project officer for establishing the school. When he left Southern Pines he was made the town's first honorary citizen. In 1952, he assisted Pacific Air Command in setting up an Air Ground Operations School. As Deputy Commander of the 12th Air Force in Europe, he designed a complete school facility, arranging for construction and establishing the school at Ramstein, Germany. In June 1957, he was assigned as Chief of Staff, Headquarters Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. From March 1960 to August 1963, he was assigned as Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Copenhagen, Denmark. On August 26, 1963, he became Director of Transportation at Headquarters Air Force Logistics Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. When he retired on July 31, 1964, he moved to McAllen, Texas where he was involved in the Orange Belt Gardens real estate business. He died of a heart attack on February 2, 1972.
Sources: United States Air Force Biographies and United States Military Academy Association of Graduates memorial.
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