Thomas DuBose
{{short description|United States Air Force general}}{{Infobox military person
| name = Thomas DuBose
| image = Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Du Bose.jpg
| birth_date = May 10, 1902
| death_date = February 24, 1992 (aged 89)
| birth_place = San Antonio, Texas, US
| death_place = Winter Park, Florida
| birth_name = Thomas Jefferson DuBose
| allegiance = {{flag|United States|1912}}
| branch = {{army|USA}}
{{air force|USA}}
| serviceyears = 1929–1959
| rank = 22px Brigadier General
| unit = 3rd Pursuit Squadron
Pacific Air Command
Strategic Air Command
8th Air Force
| commands = 316th Air Division
Air Rescue Service
| battles = World War II
Korean War
| awards = Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
Thomas Jefferson DuBose (May 10, 1902 – February 24, 1992) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force who served as chief of staff of the 8th Air Force.{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107215/brigadier-general-thomas-j-du-bose/|title=Brigadier General Thomas J. Du Bose |publisher=United States Air Force |access-date=2025-01-06}} A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Dubose was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-brig-gen-thomas-j/162416976/ |title=Brig. Gen. Thomas Jefferson DuBose, 89 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |page=16 |date=1992-02-25 |access-date=2025-01-06 |via=Newspapers.com}}
Early life and career
File:Thomas Jefferson DuBose (1902–1992) at West Point in 1929.png
DuBose was born on May 10, 1902 in San Antonio, Texas.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XvtMAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Thomas%20Jefferson%20DuBose%22%20%221902%22 |title=
Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. |volume=VII |page=2177 |date=1930 |access-date=2025-01-06 |via=Google Books |last1=
Cullum |first1=
George Washington }} In 1922, he graduated Central High School in Oklahoma City, DuBose attended the University of Oklahoma from 1923 until 1924. He enrolled at the United States Military Academy, graduating on June 13, 1929.
Upon receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army, in September 1929, DuBose attended primary flying school at March Field, Calif. He graduated from the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas and was transferred to the Army Air Corps on March 14, 1931. He remained at Kelly Field until June, serving as a flight instructor.
In the summer of 1931, DuBose joined the 3rd Pursuit Squadron in the Philippines.
World War II
In 1940, Dubose, now a captain, became director of training at Moffett Field, California, and was promoted to major. He was later promoted to lieutenant colonel and made director of training. The following year he was promoted to colonel and appointed "chief of Flying Training Section" at the Headquarters of the U.S. Army Air Forces. In December 1944, he took command of the 316th Bomb Wing at Colorado Springs, Colorado. In July 1945, the wing deployed to the Asia-Pacific theater. On September 2, 1945, the Empire of Japan formally surrendered, ending the Second World War. Afterwards, DuBose was appointed assistant chief of staff for plans of the Pacific Air Command stationed in Manila.
Later career
In June 1946, DuBose became deputy assistant chief of staff for operations of Strategic Air Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. From August to October 1946 he commanded the advance headquarters echelon of Strategic Air Command at Colorado Springs. He served as assistant chief of staff for personnel, chief of staff and deputy commander of the 8th Air Force at Fort Worth.
In February 1948, Du Bose became deputy commander of Air Task Group 7.4, the Air Force part of Joint Task Force 7, a unit that "constructed a proving ground for the Atomic Energy Commission at Eniwetok and later assisted the Atomic Energy Commission in the conduct of the first series of tests of atomic weapons." He subsequently entered the National War College, graduating the following June. In August 1949, DuBose assumed command of the 1602nd Air Transport Wing at Wiesbaden, Germany. On August 13, 1952, DuBose took command of Air Rescue Service, and on Aug. 17 he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-service-spotlight/162418200/ |title=Service Spotlight |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |page=31 |date=1957-01-27 |access-date=2025-01-06 |via=Newspapers.com}} He retired from the Air Force in 1959 and resided in Winter Park, Florida.{{Cite news|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2007/07/06/there-are-worse-reasons-to-party/28557830007/ |title=There are worse reasons to party|first=Billy|last=Cox|newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=2007-07-06 |url-access=subscription}}
Personal life
In June 1958, DuBose and his wife Rose celebrated the birth of a daughter. The couple also had a son.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.org/details/TheOakLeaf1950July1December30|title=The Oak Leaf Vol. 9 (July 1 – December 30, 1950)|date=July 1, 1949|via=Internet Archive}} DuBose was a member of First United Methodist Church.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107215/brigadier-general-thomas-j-du-bose/ Official USAF biography]
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Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Personnel of Strategic Air Command
Category:United States Air Force generals