General Nathan Farragut Twining

WWII US Commander, 20th Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff: posthumous

General Nathan Farragut Twining’s military career spans two world wars and two branches of service, beginning with Company H of the Third Oregon Infantry where he served as a corporal on Mexican border duty in 1916. Twining began his aviation career at Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas. After earning his pilot’s wings, he became an Air Service instructor and moved to March Field, California in 1926. Twining joined the 18th Pursuit Group at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii in February 1929 and served in various positions before becoming commanding officer of the 26th Attack Squadron. Over the next several years, Twining received a succession of assignments that steadily moved him up the ranks of command.

In January 1943, Twining became Commanding General of the 13th Air Force and was later appointed to Commander, Aircraft, Solomon Islands with tactical command over all Army, Navy, Marine and Allied Air Forces in the South Pacific – one of the earliest Joint Air Commands in US military history. In November 1943, Twining became Commander of the 15th Air Force in Italy. Twining then returned to the Pacific Theater as Commander of the 20th Air Force on August 2, 1945. The 20th Air Force conducted the world’s first atomic bombing missions with Twining in command.

Following the war, Twining held a myriad of assignments before returning to Washington, D.C. He became Air Force Chief of Staff on June 30, 1953 and on August 15, 1957 the first Air Force officer to serve as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his career, Twining earned numerous American and foreign military decorations. Twining died on March 29, 1982 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

top