Jesse D. Auton
Brigadier General Jesse D. Auton | |
|---|---|
Brigadier General Jesse D. Auton | |
| Born | December 1, 1904 Covington, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | March 30, 1952 (aged 47) Offutt Air Force Base, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1928–1952 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Service number | O-17938 |
| Unit | 65th Fighter Wing; 8th Air Force |
| Commands | |
| Conflicts | Second World War Korean War |
| Awards |
|
Jesse D. Auton (December 1, 1904[1] – March 30, 1952) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force.[2]
Early life and education
Jesse D. Auton was born on December 1, 1904, at Covington, Kentucky, to Robert Wesley and Julia E. [Bagby] Auton. However, he was raised a few minutes to the south in Piner.[3] There, he was the valedictorian of the 1923 graduating class of Piner High School.[4] He then attended Georgetown College, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1927.[5]
Early career
Auton enlisted in the U.S. Army as an aviation cadet at Kentucky in 1928. After completing flight training, he was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Air Reserve in October 1929. Auton was subsequently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army Air Corps in January 1930.[5]
Auton was promoted to captain in January 1940 and graduated from the Army Industrial College in June 1940.[5] At the White House, he served as an aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.[4] Auton was promoted to major in March 1941 and became commander of the 20th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, California in August 1941.[5]
World War II
After the American entry into the Second World War, Auton's group was initially assigned to mainland defense and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1942. In August 1942, he was promoted to colonel and his group was redesignated the 20th Fighter Group. In January 1943, Auton became commander of the San Francisco Air Defense Wing. In April 1943, he became executive officer and acting commander of the Fourth Air Defense Wing.[5]
The Fourth Air Defense Wing was transferred to the European Theatre of Operations in May 1943 and subsequently redesignated the 65th Fighter Wing. Auton became the wing commander in August 1943.[5] During the conflict he flew 12 combat missions.[3]
Auton served as a temporary brigadier general from March 1944 to January 1946 before reverting to the rank of colonel.[5]
Later career
In June 1947, Auton graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College. In October 1948, he became commander of the 313th Troop Carrier Wing in West Germany, participating in the Berlin Airlift.[5][6]
In May 1950, Auton was appointed chief of the Fighter Division at the Strategic Air Command.[5] In January 1951, he received a second award of the Legion of Merit for his contribution to the Far East Air Forces during the Korean War.[7][6] In October 1951, Auton was again promoted to brigadier general.[5]
Death
Auton was killed on March 30, 1952, in a plane crash at Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha.[3] He was the pilot of a twin-engine bomber returning to the base from California. An aide was also killed, but his co-pilot and two other crew members survived the crash. The plane was attempting to land after one of its two engines had failed.[6][8] Auton was buried on April 7, 1952, at Arlington National Cemetery.[3][9]
See also
References
- ^ Fogerty, Robert P. (1953). "Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 96–98. USAF historical studies: no. 91. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ Paul A. Tenkotte; James C. Claypool (2015). The Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 48–. ISBN 978-0-8131-5996-6.
- ^ a b c d "Jesse Auton | American Air Museum in Britain". www.americanairmuseum.com. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ a b "WWII vet, attorney John H. Klette, Jr. earned Silver star, continues to serve his community at 97 | NKyTribune". www.nkytribune.com. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 2018-05-30.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Brigadier General Jesse Auton". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ a b c "Air Command Deputy, Aide Die in Crash". The Washington Post. April 1, 1952. p. 3. ProQuest 152424427. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ "Air Force Award Cards [Legion of Merit]". U.S. National Archives and Record Administration. U.S. Air Force. January 26, 1951. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
- ^ "General and Aide Die in Crash in Nebraska". The New York Times. April 1, 1952. p. 59. Retrieved 2026-03-05.
- ^ Burial Detail: Auton, Jesse – ANC Explorer
External links
- Jesse Auton – Army Air Corp Library and Museum