Rank Insignia Previous Honoree ID Next Honoree ID


   
honoree image
First Name: George

Last Name: Acheson

Birthplace: Lewiston, ME, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Air Force (1947 - present)



Middle Name: Robert



Date of Birth: 21 January 1904

Date of Death: 17 August 1989

Rank: Major General

Years Served: 1925 - 1959
George Robert Acheson

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

George Robert Acheson
Major General, U.S. Air Force

George Robert Acheson was born on 21 January 1904 in Lewiston, ME. He attended the University of Maine and enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Private on 7 February 1925.

After serving with the 24th Pursuit Squadron at France Field in the Panama Canal Zone, George was appointed a flying cadet in the Air Service. In March 1926, he began primary flight training at Brooks Field, TX, and in September, he went to Kelly Field, TX, for advanced flight training. He completed both courses and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Reserve on 28 February 1927. The following June, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant of Air Corps in the Regular Army and assigned to the 3rd Attack Group at Fort Crockett, TX. In October 1927, he became Squadron Maintenance Inspector of the 8th Attack Squadron at Fort Crockett and later served there as Post and Group Personnel Adjutant of the 3rd Attack Group.

Acheson became a flight instructor at the Brooks Field Primary Flying School in September 1929 and, in October 1931, he assumed duties at Randolph Field, TX. He entered the Armament Course at the Air Corps Technical School at Chanute Field, IL, in September 1932 and completed it the following March. Promoted to First Lieutenant in 1933, he then became Squadron Adjutant of the 99th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field, NY. In January 1934, he joined the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field, VA. After a tour of duty as an air mail pilot with the Army Air Corps Mail Operations from February to May 1934, he returned to the 99th Observation Squadron.

The following January, Acheson began special training in Advanced Air Navigation with the 19th Bombardment Group at Rockwell Field, CA; he was also promoted to Captain in April 1935. In March 1936, he returned to Mitchel Field as Intelligence and Operations Officer of the 1st Bombardment Squadron. His next duty station was at Schofield Barracks, HI, in July 1937, where he served as Intelligence and Operations Officer of the 26th Attack Squadron. In November 1938, he became Commanding Officer of that unit and, subsequently, he commanded the 86th Observation Squadron there.

He joined the 43rd Bombardment Squadron at MacDill Field, FL, in August 1940. He was promoted to Major in January 1941, and assumed command of the 67th Bombardment Squadron in May 1941. The following September, he became Materiel Officer for the 1st Air Support Service Command at Pope Field, NC. In January 1942, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and then to Colonel in March; in July 1942, he was appointed Supervisor of Training of the Officers Training Unit at Barksdale Field, LA. Later, he served as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Operations and Training of the 3rd Bomber Command at MacDill Field. He was named Commanding Officer of the 55th Bombardment Wing at MacDill Field in June 1943; and in January 1944, the 55th moved to the North African Theater of Operations. Acheson was promoted to Brigadier General in September 1944 and made Commanding General of the 55th Bombardment Wing.

Acheson was assigned to command the War Department Personnel Center at Fort Leavenworth, KS, in June 1945. Three months later he was assigned to Army Air Force Headquarters with temporary duty at Fort Logan, CO, with the War Department Officer's Screening Board. In May 1946, he was assigned to the Thirteenth Air Force, with Headquarters at Leyte, Philippine Islands, and, two months later, became its Chief of Staff. He was assigned to the Far East Air Material Command in March 1947, with detached service as Commanding General of the Philippine Air Material Area. The following month, the Philippine Air Material Area was re-designated the 4th Air Depot. In October 1947, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Fifth Air Force, with Headquarters at Nagoya, Japan.

In June 1949, he was tasked as Deputy Commander for Materiel, Continental Air Command, with Headquarters at Mitchel Air Force Base, NY, and the following November he was appointed Vice Commander of the Eastern Air Defense Force at Mitchel.

He became Commanding General of the Central Air Defense Force at Grandview AFB, MO, in March 1951 and the following month was promoted to Major General. In February 1953, Acheson was appointed Commanding General, later Commander, of the Alaskan Air Command, with Headquarters at Elmendorf Air Force Base, AK. On 1 February 1956, he became Commander of the Middletown Air Materiel Area, Air Material Command, Olmstead Air Force Base, PA. Acheson retired from active duty with the Air Force in 1959.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Command Pilot Badge

Death and Burial

Major General George Robert Acheson died on 17 August 1989 at San Antonio, TX. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, TX.



Honoree ID: 3257   Created by: MHOH

Ribbons


Medals


Badges


Honoree Photos

honoree imagehonoree imagehonoree image

honoree imagehonoree image

honoree image

Remembrances


Tributes