Kirtley J. Gregg
Service # 0-016002
Entered Service From: Virginia
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Air Forces
Unit: 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group
Date of Death: 21 April 1942, of exhaustion in the Japanese POW Camp O'Donnell #4, Capas, Tarlac Province, Central Luzon, Philippines
Buried: Manila American Cemetery – Plot L, Row 4, Grave 98
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Son of George Munns Gregg (1875-1906) and Lucy June Jameson (1878-1942). "Kirtley" was his great grandfather's (James Kirtley Jameson 1806-1886) middle name. His parents "parted" ways 15 June 1901, before he was even born. They had divorced by early 1903. His mother was given $4000 in alimony and won another $3000 in a damage suit against her former mother-in-law for "the alienation of her husband's affections." His father, George M. Gregg, of Crawfordsville, Indiana married Jessie Coffman Chalten (also a divorcee) of Champaign, Illinois, on 09 June 1904 in Champaign, Illinois. He died on Wednesday, 14 November 1906 in Champaign, Illinois.

His mother, Mrs. June Gregg, moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Kirtley lived with his grandmother, Mrs. J. W. Jameson in Paris, Kentucky for a while. In August 1906, his grandmother brought him to Oklahoma City, and he "will make his home here with his mother in the future." Another newspaper article said "...Her son, Kirtley Jameson Gregg came up with his grandmother and will remain permanently with his mother." They were living at 28 Broadway Circle in Oklahoma City. His mother married Frederick Clark, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 21 May 1908 in Amarillo, Texas. They had moved to Port Arthur, Texas by September 1908.

1910 United States Federal Census (28 April 1910): Port Arthur (Ward 3), Jefferson County, Texas (sheet 31A, family 513, 721 Fifth Street) – Kirkley Gregg (8 Kentucky).

From sometime before June of 1911 thru at least January of 1914 the family was living in Seattle, Washington (Mrs. June Jameson Clarke and son, Kirtley Jameson Gregg). The family were living in Washington D. C. in January of 1918. Her marriage to Fred didn't last either. Kirkley and his mother were back in Crawfordsville, Indiana by August 1920 and she had retaken her first husband's last name – June Gregg. She was was living in her hometown of Paris, Bourbon, Kentucky by 1930.

Kirtley Jameson Gregg (Kentucky) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 15 August 1918.

PARIS BOY RECEIVES APPOINTMENT TO ANNAPOLIS
United States Senator J. C. W. Beckham announced Friday that he had made the following nominations to the Annapolis Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Maryland: Kirtley Jameson Gregg, of Paris, Principal; Frank W. Simpson, of Lexington, first alternate. The entrance examination will take place on April 16. Source: The Bourbon News (Bourbon, Kentucky), Paris, Kentucky · Tuesday, 12 March 1918, page 5.

Kirtley Jameson Gregg, grandson of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Jameson, of Paris, has successfully passed the examination admitting him to the Naval school at Annapolis. When young Gregg placed his application with Senator Beckham there were so many other applicants ahead of him that the Senator decided to have a competitive examination. Prior to the examination, and while going thru some drilling exercises, young Gregg broke the bone in his ankle, confining him to his bed for several weeks. Notwithstanding he was suffering intense pain he insisted on going thru the examination, and received the highest honors of his class. The young man is only 17 years of age, being the youngest successful candidate ever applying for entrance to Annapolis. Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Kentucky), Sunday, 18 August 1918, page 22.

2,121 MIDDIES AT ACADEMY
Regiment Now Largest In History Of Naval School
Annapolis, Maryland, August 15 – Four candidates were sworn in this morning as members of the new fourth class of the Naval Academy, bringing the membership of the new class to 932, and the total of the regiment of midshipmen to 2,121...Those admitted today are: ... Kirtley J. Gregg, of Kentucky ... Source: Evening Capital (Annapolis, Maryland), Thursday, 15 August 1918, page 4 and The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), Friday, 16 August 1918, page 3.

By 01 January 1919 he was a Midshipman Third Class. He dropped out of the Academy and in August 1920 was home in Crawfordsville, Indiana "preparatory to entering Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana."

Kirtley J. Gregg graduated from the school of mechanical engineering (B. S. degree) at Purdue University with the class of 1923. After graduation he went to Hampton, Virginia, to do research work for the government and a year later entered the aviation service at Brooks Field, Texas. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 15 June 1924.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 29 July 1924 to 14 March 1925
11th School Group, Air Service Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas
Student Officer, Second Lieutenant, Air Service, Kirtley J. Gregg. He joined the 11th School Group on 29 July 1924. He graduated from the Air Service Primary Flying School and on 14 March 1925 was transferred to the Air Service Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 14 March 1925 to 15 September 1925
Air Service Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas
Student Officer, Second Lieutenant, Air Service, Kirtley J. Gregg. He joined the Air Service Advanced Flying School on 14 March 1925 from Brooks Field. He went on to graduated from the Air Service Advanced Flying School, Pursuit Course in September 1925.

September 1925 Graduates Assigned
Twenty-eight second lieutenants of Air Service, scheduled to graduate from the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, on or about September 15, have been assigned to duty at Air Service stations, as follows: To Kelly Field – ... Kirtley J. Gregg; ... The orders were changed that same month and he was send to Selfridge Field, Michigan.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 15 September 1925 to 06 March 1927
1st Pursuit Group, Air Service, Selfridge Field Michigan
Second Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. He was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron. He was given leave on 16 September to 02 October 1925. Kirtley was given a leave from 18 January to 21 February 1926.

Kirtley Gregg Injured
Lieut. Kirtley Jameson Gregg, son of Mrs. June Jameson Gregg, suffered a slight fracture of the skull in an automobile accident, according to information received here. Lieutenant Gregg, since his graduation from Yale, has been attached to the air service of the United States Army being located at Selfridge Field, Michigan. A few months since he had an almost miraculous escape from death when at a great height his plane collapsed. Jumping from the machine, Lieutenant Gregg descended by means of his parachute and escaped without a scratch. His present injury is not considered serious and he will come to Paris to be with his mother as soon as conditions will justify his making the trip. Source: The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), Saturday, 16 January 1926, page 4.

In March 1926 he was assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group, Headquarters. He was DS to Fairfield, Ohio on 19 April thru 01 May 1926. He was DS to Kelly Field, Texas on 26 September 1926 thru 06 March 1927.

MISS JACOBS TO WED AIRMAN
From Manila, P. I. comes the following recent dispatch:
"Captain and Mrs. L. B. Jacobs announce the engagement of their daughter, Katherine Elizabeth to Lt. Kirtley Jameson Gregg of the Air Service. The marriage will take place after the return to the United States of Captain Jacobs and his family, who will leave Manila in July. Miss Jacobs who has been in Manila during her father's leave, is one of the popular members of the younger set. Lt. Gregg is stationed at Selfridge Field. Source: The Newark Post (Newark, Delaware), Wednesday, 10 March 1926, page 5.

While he was DS to Kelly Field, Texas, he got married. Lieutenant Kirtley Jameson Gregg married Miss Katherine Elizabeth Jacobs on 26 February 1927 at Fort Bennlng, Georgia. They were married by John T. D. Bardelben, chaplain, U.S. Army.

MISS KATHERINE JACOBS WEDS U.S. ARMY AVIATOR
Announcements have been received of the marriage of Miss Katherine Elizabeth Jacobs, daughter of Captain and Mrs. Lynwood B. Jacobs, of Newark, to Lieutenant Kirtley Jameson Gregg, of the U.S.A. Air Corps, which took place Saturday, February 26, in Fort Benning, Georgia. Source: The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware), Thursday, 17 March 1927, page 5.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 06 March 1927 to 10 June 1928
1st Pursuit Group, Air Service, Selfridge Field Michigan
Second Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. When he got back from his DS at Kelly Field, Texas he was assigned to the 95th Pursuit Squadron. In May 1927 he was assigned back to 1st Pursuit Group, Headquarters. On 11 November thru 03 December 1927 he was given leave. On 29 April to 26 May 1928 he was DS to Bolling Field D. C. On 10 June 1928 he was transferred to the 95th Pursuit Squadron, Air Corps, Rockwell Field, California.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 01 July 1928 to 25 May 1930
95th Pursuit Squadron, Rockwell Field, California
Second Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. He was DS enroute the rest of June. He was given a leave on 18 June thru 03 August 1929. On 29 March thru 27 April 1930 he was DS to Mather Field, California.

1929 San Diego, California City Directory – Kirkley J. Gregg (Katherine), USA, h 709 10th.

PLANES IN MANEUVER 25,000 FEET IN AIR
Using supercharged motors and oxygen equipment, pilots of the 91st Pursuit Squadron, Air Air Corps, at Rockwell Field, California, have carried on military pursuit maneuvers at an altitude of 25,000 feet, or nearly 5 miles above sea level, according to a report received here by Maj. Gen. James E. Fechet, chief of the Air Corps.

The planes were put through combat maneuvers by Lieut. Kirtley J. Gregg and Lieut. Irving A. Woodring as a test of the capabilities of the standard Army pursuit planes at the extreme altitudes which would prevail in the case of another war. Machine gun fire and fuel consumption were tested under service conditions.

Before taking off the two pilots donned heavy leather hair-lined flying suits and wool-lined moccasins and equipped themselves with oxygen tanks. At an altitude of nearly five miles they encountered temperatures below freezing and reported they were chilly despite their warm clothing.

Twenty-five thousand feet is above the normal range of the P-1 type of pursuit plane used in the tests. Through the use of supercharged motors the pilots were able to push the service ceiling of the little fighting planes from 21,000 feet to a point far above the normal absolute ceiling of 22,1500 feet.

The test was made in two P-12 pursuit planes, the motors being equipped with special altitude adjustments and built to maneuver several miles above the ground. Source: The Evening Star (Washington D. C.), Monday, 14 October 1929, page 2 and The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts), Monday, 14 October 1929, page 6.

Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg (28 Kentucky) is found in the 1930 United States Federal Census (02 April 1930) for Coronado, San Diego County, California (sheet 5A, family 146, 516 E. Ave) along with his wife, Katherine J. Gregg (23 Delaware) and son, Kirtley J. Gregg, Jr. (2 Michigan). They had been married three years, he was 25 and Katherine 20 when they married. Kirtley was in the U.S. Army.

When he got back on 27 April 1930 from his DS to Mather Field, 2nd Lt. Gregg was appointed the 95th Pursuit Squadron Operations Officer. On 25 May 1930 he was transferred to the Philippine Department.

GREGG ASSIGNED TO PHILIPPINES
Lieut. Kirtley Jameson Gregg, United States aviation corps, formerly of Paris, Kentucky, who has been located at Rockwell Field, San Diego, California for two years, will sail for the Philippines June 1, to assume charge of the aviation department on the islands.

Lieut. Gregg was graduated from the school of mechanical engineering at Purdue with the class of 1923. After graduation he went to Hampton, Virginia, to do research work for the government and a year later entered the aviation service at Brooks Field, Texas. Before coming to Purdue he attended the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

His mother, Mrs. George M. Gregg, and Miss Margaret Hill, of Paris, Kentucky, have motored to California for a farewell visit with Lieut. Gregg. Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, Indiana), Thursday, 15 May 1930, page 10.

2nd Lt. Kirtley J. Gregg, Air Corps, is found aboard the United States Transport "U.S. GRANT" sailing 29 May 1930 from San Francisco, California (via Honolulu and Guam) to Manila, Philippine Islands (Manifest – First Class, line 68). He was traveling in First Class. Also on board was his wife, Mrs. Kirtley J. Gregg and 2 year-old son (Manifest – First Class Pay Passengers #127-128).

He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 10 June 1930.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 23 June 1930 to 02 May 1932
4th Composite Group, Air Corps, Nichols Field Rizal, Philippine Islands
First Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. He joined the 4th Composite Group on 23 June 1930 and was assigned to the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. He was "Assistant Officer in charge of Chicken Farm." (June-July 1930). In September 1930 he was Fire Marshal for the 7th District. He was listed as their Utilities & Police Officer (January-March 1931).

Clark Field, Pampanga, P.I. Dec. 12th, 1930:
A flight to the Mindoro Sugar Estate at San Jose, Mindoro, was made by a six-plane flight of P-12's and one DH on Nov. 4th, returning the following day. The officers participating in the flight were: Maj. John B. Brooks, Capt. Aubrey Hornsby, Lieuts. William C. Morris, Wilfrid H. Hardy, Kirtley J. Gregg, Milton M. Murphy and Allen R. Springer. Source: Air Corps News Letter, (Issued by Office of the Chief of the Air Corps, War Department, Washington) 15 January 1931, page 28

He was DS to Camp John Hay, P.I. from 08 April to 06 May 1931. Then was given a leave from 07-15 May 1931. On 15 May 1931 he became Operations & Information Officer for the the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. On 15 August.1931 he was relieved as Operations & Information Officer and detailed as Intelligence Officer. On 22 September 1931 he also became Squadron Supply Officer. He was stationed at Clark for a number of months, September - February 1932. He was DS to Camp John Hay, P.I. from 11 to 25 March 1932.

LIEUT. KIRTLEY GREGG ORDERED TO CALIFORNIA
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 23 – First Lieutenant Kirkley J. Gregg, Airy Air Corps, Parris, Kentucky, soon will return to the United States from his tour of foreign service in the Philippine Islands, it was learned at the war department today.

Lieut. Gregg already has been given an assignment to duty when he returns to this country, at March Field, Riverside, California.

He will receive instructions in the near future from the commanding general of the Philippine Department it is said, ordering him to his new post. Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (Lexington, Kentucky), Saturday, 23 January 1932, page 12.

1st Lt. Gregg was relieved from his assigned duty and assigned to March Field, California. He and his family left for his new station on 02 May 1932.

25 January 1932 Air Corps News Letter
CHANGES OF STATION: To March Field, California: 1st Lt. Kirtley J. Gregg from the Philippines.

1st Lt. Kirtley J. Gregg, Air Corps, is found aboard the United States Transport "REPUBLIC" sailing from Manila, Philippine Islands (via Honolulu) to San Francisco, California (Manifest - First Class, line 41.). They arrived at the Port of San Francisco on 30 July 1932. He was traveling in First Class. Also on board was his wife, Mrs. Kirtley J. Gregg, 4 4/12 years-old son and infant daughter (Manifest – First Class Pay Passengers #77-79).

Monthly Roster of Troops – 02 August 1932 to 04 August 1932.
Headquarters, 1st Bombardment Wing, Air Corps, March Field, California
First Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. He was transferred to 17th Pursuit Group Headquarters, same station, on 4 August 1932.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 04 August 1932 to 14 March 1933
17th Pursuit Group Headquarters, Air Corps, March Field, California
First Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. Assigned to and joined 17th Pursuit Group Headquarters by transfer from 1st Bomb Wing Headquarters. He was appointed assistant Group Operation Officer that same day. On 10 September thru 07 October 1932 he was attached to the 73rd Pursuit Squadron and the Squadron went to Rockwell Field, Coronado, California for temporary duty. October 1932 1st Lt. Gregg was Assistant Group Operations Officer. DE to Barksdale Field, Louisiana from 12-15 October 1932. Absent Sick, Methodist Hospital, Dallas, Texas from 16-18 October 1932. Absent Sick, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 18 October 1932. On 14 March 1933 while still in hospital at Fort Sam Houston he was released from his duties as Assistant Group Operations Officer and transferred to the 95th Pursuit Group Headquarters.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 14 March 1933 to 20 July 1934
95th Pursuit Squadron, 17th Pursuit Group, Air Corps, March Field, California
First Lieutenant Kirtley J. Gregg. He was sick in hospital from 16 October 1932 thru 27 December 1933. On 02 January 1934 he was appointed Squadron Operations and Intelligence Officer. He was appointed Post Transportation Officer on 12 February 1934 and attached for duty with MF District, CCC this station and appointed District Transportation & Supply Officer, CCC on 13 February 1934. DS to Seattle on 23 February to 03 March 1934 ferrying aircraft. He began temporary duty as 95th Pursuit Squadron from 11-15 and 20-27 April 1934; 07-11 May 1934 and 2--26 June 1934. On 11 May thru 15 May he was DS to Seattle, ferrying aircraft. He was released from his Post Transportation duties on 18 June 1934. !st Lt. Greeg was attached in addition to his other duties to HQ MF District, CCC this station as District Transportation & Supply Officer. On 20 July he was released from his assignments with the 95th Pursuit Squadron and was assigned to and joined the 17th Pursuit Group Headquarters as Group Information Officer.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 20 July 1934 to 09 August 1935
Headquarters, 17th Pursuit Group, Air Corps, March Field, California
First Lieutenant/Captain Kirtley J. Gregg. He was assigned to and joined the 17th Pursuit Group Headquarters as Group Operations & Information Officer from 95th Pursuit Squadron, same station. He was attached for duty with Headquarters, MF District, CCC, this station from 15 November thru 16 January 1934. On 16 November 1934 he was appointed Post Transportation Officer. On 18 January 1935 he was appointed Assistant Wing Operations Officer. From 24 February to 03 March 1934 he was DS to Maxwell Field, Alabama (Pur: Extd Mass Navigation Flight). On 30 March he was appointed a member of the Aircraft Accident Classification Committee. From 24-31 March 1934 he was DS to Barksdale Field, Louisiana (Pur: Extd Navigational Training). 1st Lt. Gregg was released from his assignment as Group Operations & Information Officer and Assistant Wing Operations Officer and on 11 April became Group Supply Officer. He was promoted to Captain on 20 April 1935. On 26 June 1934 he began temporarily commanding the 17th Attack Group Headquarters thru 09 July 1934. On 09 August 1935 he was released from his assignment with the 17th Attack Group and assigned to and joined the 95th Attack Squadron on 10 August 1935.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 10 August 1935 to 07 July 1936
95th Attack "Kicking Mule" Squadron, 17th Pursuit Group, Air Corps, March Field, California
Captain Kirtley J. Gregg. He joined the 95th Attack Squadron on 10 August 1935 from the 17th Attack Group, same station and was appointed Squadron Intelligence and Operations Officer. He continued to serve on the Aircraft Accident Classification Committee until 19 October 1935. He commanded the 95th Attack Squadron from 19 to 26 October 1935 ; from 04 to 20 November 1935 and again from 17 to 31 January 1936. On 18 January 1936 he was relieved as Squadron Operations Officer. He was now Commanding the 95th Attack Squadron and and also served as Squadron Intelligence Officer. On 03 March 1936 he was relieved as Squadron Intelligence Officer. On 09 March 1936 the squadron had a change of station to Muroc Lake, California. They were back at March Field by the end of the month. He was given a leave of absence from 24 to 27 March 1936. On 01 May 1936 he was relieved of his duty as Commander and DS to El Paso, Texas from 01-02 May (Pur: Extd Navigation Training). From there he was given a 1 month and 25 days leave, starting 03 May thru 28 June 1936. On 07 July 1936 he was relieved of his duties as Squadron Commander and assigned to Air Corps, Maxwell Field, Alabama. He was given a nice day leave and was to report at his new station on the 16 July 1936.

ARMY ORDERS
WASHINGTON, March 9. – Army orders today included: ... Captain Kirtley J. Gregg, A. C., March Field, California, to Maxwell Field, Alabama; ... Source: The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia), Tuesday, 10 March 1936, page 14. and a number of other papers

Tactical School Class Assigned
Fall Term Will Assemble 71 Student Officers Of Army, Navy, Marines
The incoming class of the 1936-1937 Air Corps Tactical School has been made public from the office of the adjutant at Maxwell Field. The new class will have 71 members...The new term will open on the second Tuesday in September ... Captains in the Air Corps to be students are: ... Kirtley J. Gregg ... Source: The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Alabama), Sunday, 28 June 1936, page 1.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 25 August 1936 to 02 June 1937
Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama
Student, Captain Kirtley J. Gregg. Assigned from Post Headquarters as student and joined 25 August 1936. On 19-21 March he was DS to Chapman Field, Florida. On 25 April - 01 May 1937 he was DS to Valparaiso, Florida. He graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School on 01 June 1937. He was now rated a "senior pilot."

ARMY ORDERS
The following army orders have been issued by the war department under the date of March 29, 1937: ... Captain Kirtley J. Gregg, Air Corps, Maxwell Field is designated as a student at the Command and General Staff School, for the 1937-1938 course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Source: The Columbus Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia), Friday, 02 April 1937, page 17.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 07 June 1937 to 20 June 1938
Command & General Staff School Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Student, Captain Kirtley J. Gregg. He was assigned to duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on 07 June 1937 and given a 2 months, 7 days, leave starting 12 June - 12 August 1937. He joined the school on 12 August 1937. On 21-23 August he DS a cross country flight to Selfridge Field, Michigan. On 26-28 November he DS a cross country flight to San Antonio, Texas. On 08-09 January 1938 he DS a cross country flight to Memphis, Tennessee. On 19-20 February 1938 he DS a cross country flight to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and on 26-27 1938 February he DS a cross country flight to Lafayette, Indiana. On 19-20 March 1938 he DS a cross country flight to Denver, Colorado. He was one of very few pilots in the course that was doing all these flights. On 13- 17 April 1938 he DS a cross country flight to Hamilton Field, California. On 20 June 1938 he was released from his assignment and left the station for his new assignment at Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Michigan.

ARMY ORDERS
WASHINGTON, May 5. (AP) – Army orders issued today and dated May 3, include the following: ... Captain Kirtley J. Gregg, A. C. Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Michigan, effective upon completion of present course of instruction... Source: The Montgomery Advertiser (Montgomery, Alabama), Friday, 06 May 1938, page 15 and a number of other newspapers.

Monthly Roster of Troops – 20 June 1938 to 31 December 1939
Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron, First Pursuit Group, GHQ Air Force, Selfridge Field, Mt. Clemens, Michigan
Captain Kirtley J. Gregg. He was transferred from Fort Leavenworth and given a two month leave starting the 20th June to 19 August 1938. He was appointed Material Officer (S-4) for the First Pursuit Group on 10 August 1938. On 10-11 November 1938 he was DS to duty to Buffalo, New York, ferrying aircraft. He was sick in quarters 12-14 December 1938. In January 1939 he was given additional duties as Engineering Officer; Armament Officer and Technical Inspector for the First Pursuit Group. Duty to DS Valpariso, Florida, Training Flight; 17-21 January 1939. Duty to DS Valpariso, Florida, aerial gunnery practice, 05-18 February 1939. Duty to DS Langley Field, Virginia, Training Flight, 20=31 March 1939. Duty to DS Buffalo, New York, ferrying aircraft 05-06 April and again 27-28 April 1939. Duty to DS March Field, California, GHQ Air Force Conference, 22-27 June 1939. On 01 August 1939 he was appointed Executive Officer of the First Pursuit Group.

There are no more Monthly Roster of Troops records online after 1939.

Captain Kirtley J. Gregg (38 Kentucky) is enumerated in the 1940 United States Federal Census (17 April 1940) for Selfridge Field, Harrison Township, Macomb County, Michigan (sheet 61B, household 7) along with his wife, Katherine J. Gregg (33 Delaware) and children, Kirtley J. Gregg, Jr. (12 Michigan) and Katherine L. Gregg (8 Philippines). Kirtley was an officer pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 17th Pursuit Squadron. He had been stationed at March Field, California in 1935. Kirtley had completed four years of college, Katherine finished one year of college.

15 April 1940 Air Corps News Letter
Eleven Captains of the Air Corps were given appointments to the grade of Major, with rank from March 11, 1940, as follows ... Kirtley J. Gregg ...

He was given a rating as "Senior Pilot".

Kentuckian Commands Fliers Going to Philippines
Gregg's Squadron will Sail Monday
In command of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, First Pursuit Group, now on the way to the Philippines, is Major Kirtley J. Gregg, formerly of Paris, Kentucky. The 17th will sail from San Francisco, Monday, Air Base Headquarters at Selfridge Field, Michigan, announced.

Major Gregg has been in the service since 1925. A graduate of primary and the advanced schools at Randolph Field and Kelly Fields, Texas, the Air Corps Tactical College and the Command and General Staff School, Major Gregg has advanced from the lowest commissioned rank of second lieutenant to his present status. He is 39.

The Air Base Headquarters announcement said the planes of the 17th would be replaced with later models, probably the cancelled order of such ships originally intended for Sweden. Source: The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky), Friday, 01 November 1940, page 14.

The army transport Etolin, former known as the Matsonia, arrived in Honolulu, T. H. on Wednesday, 20 November 1940. "About 100 troop passengers were aboard the Etolin for the Hawaiian department.

"The army transport continued to Manila with 20 officers and 157 enlisted men of the 17th Pursuit Squadron going to duty from Selfridge Field, Michigan, with Maj. Kirkley J. Gregg in command.

"About 25 of the squadrons's planes were aboard." Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii), Friday, 22 November 1940, page 4.

They arrived in Manila on 05 December 1940. The 17th had been ordered to travel to the Philippines without dependents, so he had been obliged to leave his wife, Katherine, and their two children behind.

A tent served as the 17th Pursuit Squadron's headquarters. It was pitched near rows of other tents in which his enlisted men were living in. "Tent City" had been set up at Nichols just before the squadron's arrival on 05 December to accommodate its 157 enlisted men. The airfield's only vacant barracks had been assigned to the men of the 20th Pursuit Squadron following their arrival in Manila on 23 November. Kirley himself had a small room at the Army and Navy Club.

In January 1941 Gregg was tasked "with writing a highly classified report. The 4th Composite Group commander did not have a staff to which he could assign such a task, so Colonel Churchill passed it to the one Air Corps officer he regarded as capable of undertaking it. Gregg was to submit it to a board chaired by Churchill...Preparing a plan for "The Minimum Air Force Required for an Effective Defense of the Manila Area," as the report was to be entitled, was a heavy responsibility. Finally, on the morning of Thursday, January 23, he finished the draft and dictated it in the form required. Despite all the handicaps of inadequate information, he felt pleased with his effort. So did Churchill and the other board members, who approved it later that morning without any reservations." Source: December 8, 1941, MacArthur's Pearl Harbor by William H. Bartsch (Texas A7M University Press, College Station, 2003), page 57.

He had doubts about the American ability to defend the Philippines. "A troop of Boy Scouts flying kites could take these damned islands," Major Kirtley J. Gregg complained in a letter to his wife in March 1941. Sadly, Major Gregg's words became a horrific reality.

Major Kirtley J. Gregg was the Commanding Officer (C. O.) of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, Philippine Department at Nichols Field, P.I. until 06 May 1941.

On 09 May 1941 he became the temporary commander of the 4th Composite Group (Philippine Department) and had his headquarters (and lived) at Nichols Field. Squadrons under him were the 2nd Observation Squadron; 3rd Pursuit Squadron; 17th Pursuit Squadron; 20th Pursuit Squadron; and the 28th Bombardment Squadron. He was commander until 05 August 1941.

"Gregg's association with the 17th went back to his first assignment to the squadron fresh out of flying school in 1925 as mess and supply officer, and now he was saying good-bye as its CO.
"I like to think and really believe that the officers and men really were sincere in being sorry to see me leave," he wrote to his wife afterward. It clearly hurt Gregg to be leaving them, even though they were still indirectly under his command. "They have really been a grand and loyal bunch of men under rather adverse circumstances during the past year"— quartered in a "none-too-good tent camp" in the Philippines, having to send their families home, with lots of expenses and heart aches — but through it all they had carried on, done their jobs well, and stood by him. Source: December 8, 1941, MacArthur's Pearl Harbor by William H. Bartsch (Texas A7M University Press, College Station, 2003), page 82.

At the end of June 1941 the 4th Composite Group was transferred to Clark Field and adjoining Fort Stotsenburg, where they would be accommodated. By August 1941 Gregg had a dual role as acting Clark Field CO and and group commander.

On 25 August 1941 Major Kirtley J. Gregg was transferred to air force headquarters (USAFFE) to serve as the S4 (logistics) officer. "I screamed and tore my hair," Gregg wrote his wife that night. He did not want to give up command of the 4th Composite Group for a staff job. He felt he was "just getting the outfit whipped into shape where I would have a real Group instead of a Flying School." But executive officer, Colonel Harold H. George insisted that his services were more badly needed at headquarters as S4 than as the 4th Group commander. "If it is ordered, I guess there is nothing to do but make the best of it and do the best I can," Gregg resignedly informed his wife. Source: December 8, 1941, MacArthur's Pearl Harbor by William H. Bartsch (Texas A7M University Press, College Station, 2003), page 82.

His new headquarters (the headquarters for the Far East Air Force) was located just off Nielson Field in Manila. "Gregg was up early the next morning (Thursday, 28 August 1941) and went over to Nielson Field at 8:30, where he promptly "started to dig in." By the end of the day, he had begun to understand why Colonel George had shifted him into the new job. Although he still "felt like hell losing the Group," he now appreciated that "this is bigger and more important," and he hoped he could handle his new responsibilities. Aided by 1st Lt. Bernard Anderson, the assistant S4, Gregg was charged with supervising the requisition of all of the air force's supplies, planning for the transport of supplies and personnel, and determining the location of suitable sites for air bases."

Commercial flights at the Nielson airport were halted in October 1941 and the private carriers were asked to relocate their services to make room for the U.S. Army Air Forces.

In early November 1941 the headquarters, Far East Air Force was reorganized and Major Kirtley Gregg became Colonel George's assistant. Gregg would officially be listed as the assistant G4. On Saturday, 29 November 1941, Colonel George was transferred to the 5th Interceptor Command to serve as General Clagett's chief of staff and his G4 post was turned over to Major Gregg.

"Headquarters, Far East Air Force Nielson Field, Manila
Early December, 1941
Major Kirtley Gregg was grappling with supply problems he had inherited following his appointment as G4 by General Brereton several days earlier.They were bigger than any he had faced earlier as the 4th Composite Group commander. First, the need to overhaul the engines of the greatly expanded number of aircraft was beyond the Philippine Air Depot's capacity. Overhaul requirements had escalated from two to one hundred engines a month...Of more immediate concern was the shortage of .50-caliber ammunition. It was so acute that the pursuit pilots had not been able to fire their fifties in gunnery practice....The problem facing the 19th Bomb Group was bombs. Although an adequate supply of 500-pound demolition bombs had been received recently, there still was a shortage of 300-, 1,000-, and 2,000-pound bombs—which the War Department promised to send no later than March 10, 1942.The FEAF also needed more 100-pound bombs; twenty thousand of those were scheduled for shipment between December 5 and 10. ource: December 8, 1941, MacArthur's Pearl Harbor by William H. Bartsch (Texas A7M University Press, College Station, 2003), pages 232-233.

He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel on 05 December 1941. Three days later war came to the Philippines.

"HAWAII BOMBED–WAR!" On 07 December 1941 Japan attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor. Nine hours and 20 minutes later, on 08 December 1941 (Manila time), planes from Japan Eleventh Air Fleet from Formosa (now Taiwan) attacked the Philippines. The series of raids over the next couple of days virtually wiped out the U.S. Air Force. It was Pearl Harbor all over again. Clark, Iba, Cavite and Nichols were bombed. Nielson Field was attacked by Japanese planes on 10 December 1941 and left in in flames. Japanese forces began a full-scale invasion of Luzon on 22 December. In response, General Douglas MacArthur, as part of War Plan Orange-3 ordered the withdrawal of the American and Filipino forces to the Bataan peninsula where they could to delay the invading enemy forces until promised reinforcements arrived – reinforcements that never came.

Lieutenant Colonel Kirtley J. Gregg was sent to Mariveles, Bataan. On 06 January 1942, the battle for Bataan began.

From the very beginning, Bataan men were cut to 1/2 rations, and very soon, to 1/4 rations. About four weeks later, they were living on 1/8 rations, that is, when food was available to them. Towards the end, it was changed to 1/16th of their rations...Quite often, they would go several days with no food, unless they could catch something in the jungle." Source: Federico Baldassarre letter



Unfortunately, dengue fever, malaria, scurvy, beriberi and dysentery began to take its toll on many of the soldiers. Inadequate amounts of medicine available only amplified the severity of what would have been very treatable afflictions. The average American soldier lost 15-25 pounds and malaria was as high as 35 percent among front line units. During the first week of March 1942, soldiers were issued quarter rations. It was becoming apparent that supplies and support were not going to come. Ammunition was in short supply. Around the latter part of March, Gen. King and his staff assessed the fighting capabilities of his forces, in view of an impending major assault planned by Gen. Homma. Gen. King and his staff determined the Fil-American forces, in Bataan, could only fight at 30% of their efficiency.

It was also during this time that Japanese forces brought in significant reinforcements. The Japanese 4th Division had arrived from Shanghai. The 21st Regiment (part of the 21st Division) had been diverted in route to Indo-China. Finally, several thousand replacements arrived to revitalize the 16th Division and the 65th Brigade. Japanese air attacks became progressively worse. The Japanese set up artillery across Manila Bay and fired accurately with the help of highflying aerial observers.

The month of April 1942 marked the beginning of the end for Bataan's defenders. On Good Friday, 03 April 1942, General Homma, with the addition of fresh troops, began an all-out offensive on Bataan. By the evening of 08 April, the situation was clearly hopeless. With ammunition, rations and supplies practically exhausted and most of his best units destroyed, Major General Edward P. King, commander of the forces on Bataan, was convinced his troops could not physically resist any more and decided to surrender to prevent further loss of life. On 09 April 1942, Maj. Gen. King surrendered the Luzon Force to the Japanese.

After hearing of the surrender, General Wainwright on Corregidor sent a cable to President Roosevelt, stating "I have done all that could have been done to hold Bataan, but starved men without air support and with inadequate field artillery support cannot endure the terrific aerial and artillery bombardment that my troops were subjected to."

Lt. Col. Kirtley J. Gregg was officially listed as missing in action.

Lt. Col. Kirtley J. Gregg along with 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war captured by the Japanese, were subjected to the infamous Bataan Death March. When the Fil-American soldiers began the Death March they were in terrible physical condition. For 6 to 9 days (depending on their starting point) they were forced to walk the roughly sixty-five miles to San Fernando, enduring abuse by Japanese guards. For days they traveled under the scorching sun with very little, if any, food and water. Estimates of the death toll range from 7,000 to 10,000 Filipinos and about 600 Americans. At San Fernando, the Japanese stuffed about 100 men into steel-sided boxcars for the twenty-five-mile trip to Capas. The scorching hot boxcars were packed so tight that the men could not even sit down. At Capas the POWs were off loaded and marched the final nine miles to Camp O'Donnell.

The first exhausted prisoners entered O'Donnell on 11 April 1942. Once inside the camp the Japanese confiscated any personal items the men may have been able to retain during the march.

Lt. Col. Kirtley J. Gregg (O-16002), Air Corps, died on 21 April 1942 of *exhaustion shortly after arriving in the Japanese POW Camp (#4) O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines. He was the fourth recorded death in Camp O'Donnell.

*"Due to an order from Japanese Headquarters, the causes of death could not include starvation and malnutrition but in a very high percentage of these cases starvation and malnutrition were the causes of death." Source: Major Robert E. Conn, Jr., Graves Registration Officer. He complied the list of deaths from Camp O'Donnell.

He was buried in the camp cemetery – Plot A, Row 1, Grave 6. The first seventy-two (72) interments were made in a section of hillside east of the main gate of Camp O'Donnell and are recorded as being Plot "A".

Camp O'Donnell became "Camp O'Death" to the men living there. In all 1547 Americans and approximately 26,000 Filipinos died during the seventy-one days of O'Donnell's operation. One out of every six Americans who entered O'Donnell died. Because of the high death rates the Japanese ordered the camp closed on 16 May 1942. In June most of the surviving men were moved to Cabanatuan or were assigned to work details around the islands. Source: Casualties of the Philippines POW Camps O'Donnell and Cabanatuan and the history of their burials by Lisa Beckenbaugh, 2005, Defense Prisoner of War, Missing Personnel Office.

Lt. Col. Kirtley J. Gregg, Air Corps, was officially declared dead on 08 May 1944.

After the war (between December 1945 and February 1946) the remains of all the soldiers in the O'Donnell cemetery were disinterred and brought to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum for identification. Prison records indicate 10 bodies were buried in this grave. After positive identification was made, he was reburied in 7747 USAF Cemetery, Manila #2, Philippine Islands - Block 2, Row 7, Grave 836 (D-D Number 6219). From there in 1948, according to the wishes of his next of kin, (wife, Mrs. Katherine J. Gregg) Lt. Col. Kirtley J. Gregg was buried in his final resting place in the Manila American Cemetery - Plot L, Row 4, Grave 98.

His widow, Katherine J. Gregg (69) married another WWII veteran, Barney McKinney Giles (63) on 11 October 1975 in Bexar County, Texas.