Benjamin Franklin Giles
Major General, U.S. Air Force

Benjamin Franklin Giles was born on 13 September 1892 on a farm near Mineola, TX, to Richard Portlock and Louisa Read Giles. He and his identical twin, Barney McKinney Giles, both attended East Texas Normal College and taught school for three years. Both twins studied law at the University of Texas until World War I began in Europe. Benjamin Giles went to Canada to see about joining the Royal Flying Corps, and then America became directly involved, allowing both brothers to join the U.S. Army Air Service. Benjamin was an officer candidate and became a Second Lieutenant in April 1917. Barney entered as a flying cadet in August 1917 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in April 1918. Barney Giles resigned his commission in September 1919, Benjamin resigned in October. The Giles twins returned to duty one year later: Benjamin in March 1920 and Barney in October 1920.

Assignments

1. October 1920 - April 1921, student, Air Service Observation School, Fort Sill, OK.
2. April 1921 - September 1921, Supply Officer, Fort Sill, OK.
3. September 1921 - December 1923, student, Air Service Primary Flying School, Carlstrom Field, FL, and, later, Brooks Field, TX.
4. December 1923 - June 1924, student, Air Service Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, TX.
5. June 1924 - September 1928, Commanding Detachment Air Service and, later, Accident Investigating Officer, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
6. September 1928 - April 1929, Mess Officer and Educational and Recreational Officer, Third Pursuit Squadron, Clark Field, Philippines.
7. April 1929 - November 1930, Commanding Officer, 66th Service Squadron, later, 2nd Observation Squadron, Nichols Field, Philippines.
8. November 1930 - October 1931, Post Operations Officer and Aircraft Accident Investigating Officer, Kelly Field, TX.
9. October 1931 - August 1934, Technical Supervisor, San Antonio Air Depot Control Area, San Antonio, TX. (October 1931 - January 1932, temporary duty, Inspection Division, Office of the Chief of the Air Corps, Washington, DC.)
10. August 1934 - June 1935, student, Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, AL.
11. June 1935 - August 1938, Instructor, 40th Aviation Division, California National Guard, Los Angeles, CA.
12. August 1938 - June 1939, student, Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth KS.
13. June 1939 - June 1941, Chief, Aviation Division, National Guard Bureau, Washington, DC.
14. June 1941 - October 1941, Office of the Chief of the Air Corps, Washington, DC.
15. October 1941 - March 1942, Commanding Officer, Greenland Base Command.
16. March 1942 - October 1943, Commanding Officer, U.S. Army Forces in Eastern Canada with additional duties as Commanding Officer, North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command.
17. October 1943 - February 1946, Commanding General, IX Troop Carrier Command and, later, Commanding General U.S. Army Forces, Africa-Middle East Theater.
18. February 1946 - May 1946, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC (patient, Army Air Forces Regional and Convalescent Hospital, San Antonio, TX).
19. May 1946 - August 1946, Separation Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX.

Aeronautical Ratings

Command pilot, Combat Observer and Aircraft Observer

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Legion of Merit
Air Medal
Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Degree of Honorary Companion (England)
Order of the White Eagle, Third Class (Yugoslavia)

Retirement

Major General Benjamin Franklin Giles retired from active duty on 1 September 1946. His brother, Lieutenant General Barney McKinney Giles retired on 30 June 1946.

Death and Burial

Major General Benjamin Franklin Giles died on 30 November 1974. Both he and his twin brother are buried in Section B at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.