Eaker, Ira, 1896-1987

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Air Force officer.

From the description of Reminiscences of Ira Clarence Eaker : oral history, 1974. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122451540

From the description of Reminiscences of Ira Clarence Eaker : oral history, 1959. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 86147461

U.S. Army officer, U.S. Air Force officer, aviation pioneer, aircraft industry executive, and newspaper columnist.

From the description of Ira Eaker papers, 1917-1989 (bulk 1942-1945). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981146

Biographical Note

  • 1896, Apr. 13: Born, Field Creek, Tex.
  • 1917: Joined Sixty-fourth Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army, El Paso, Tex.; appointed second lieutenant
  • 1918: Flight instruction, Austin and Kelly Field, Tex.
  • 1919 - 1921 : Second and Third Aero Squadrons, Philippine Islands; promoted to captain
  • 1922 - 1923 : Commander, Fifth Aero Squadron and Post Adjutant, Mitchel Field, N.Y.
  • 1923[?]: Married Leah Chase (divorced 1930)
  • 1923 - 1924 : Studied contract law, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
  • 1924 - 1926 : Executive assistant, Office of Air Service, Washington, D.C.
  • 1926 - 1927 : Pilot, Pan-American Goodwill flight around South America; received Distinguished Flying Cross
  • 1927 - 1928 : Executive officer, Office of Assistant Secretary of War, Washington, D.C.
  • 1928 - 1932 : Operations and line maintenance officer, Bolling Field, Washington, D.C.
  • 1929, Jan. 1 - 7 : Chief pilot, "Question Mark" refueling endurance flight; received oak leaf cluster to Distinguished Flying Cross
  • 1931: Married Ruth Apperson
  • 1934: B.A., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif. Commanded Air Mail Route 4, Western Zone, army air corps mail operations
  • 1934 - 1935 : Commanded Thirty-fourth Pursuit Squadron and Seventeenth Pursuit Squadron, March Field, Calif.; promoted to major
  • 1935 - 1936 : Attended Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Ala.
  • 1940: Promoted to lieutenant colonel
  • 1940 - 1941 : Commander, Twentieth Pursuit Group, Hamilton, Tex.
  • 1941 - 1942 : Special duty, Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) to observe and fly new types of fighter planes and to observe British fighter control methods, England
  • 1942: Organized and commanded Eighth Bomber Command
  • 1942 - 1944 : Commander, Eighth Air Force in England; commanding general, United States Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom
  • 1944 - 1945 : Air commander in chief, Mediterranean Allied Air Forces
  • 1945: Deputy commander, army air forces, and chief of air staff
  • 1946: Promoted to lieutenant general retroactive to 1 Dec. 1944
  • 1947: Retired from military service
  • 1947 - 1957 : Vice president, Hughes Tool Co.; represented Hughes Tool Co. at Hughes Aircraft Company, Houston, Tex. (1947-1948) and Culver City, Calif. (1948-1957)
  • 1957 - 1961 : Vice president, eastern office, Douglas Aircraft Co., Washington, D.C.
  • 1961 - 1961 [?] : Chairman, Advisory Board, Hughes Aircraft Co.
  • 1962 - 1980 : Wrote syndicated weekly newspaper column on national security issues
  • 1972 - 1973 : First president, United States Strategic Institute, which published the Strategic Review; later vice chairman and member, board of directors
  • 1985: Awarded fourth star; made a full general as a result of special legislation
  • 1987, Aug. 6: Died, Camp Springs, Md.

From the guide to the Ira Eaker Papers, 1917-1989, (bulk 1942-1945), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. MISSION FOR MOSCOW National Archives at College Park
referencedIn W. Averell Harriman Papers, 1869-1988, (bulk 1895-1986) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. MACKAY TROPHY PRESENTATION, PENTAGON, WASHINGTON, DC National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Historical Films. 1914 - 1936. PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Leach, Walter Barton. W. Barton Leach Papers. 1920-1971. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Henry Harley Arnold Papers, 1903-1963, (bulk 1940-1946) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Foulois, Benjamin Delahauf, 1879-1967. Papers, 1898-1966 (bulk 1917-1935). Library of Congress
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. Operation Titanic National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Lovett, Robert A. (Robert Abercrombie), 1895-. Robert Abercrombie Lovett papers, 1919-1986 (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Parton, James, 1912-. James Parton papers, 1914-1986. Houghton Library
referencedIn Copp, DeWitt S., 1919-1999. Copp collection, 1912-1981. US Air Force Academy, McDermott Library
creatorOf Eaker, Ira, 1896-1987. Reminiscences of Ira Clarence Eaker : oral history, 1974. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn James Parton papers, 1914-1986. Houghton Library
referencedIn Grover Cleveland Loening Papers, 1900-1975, (bulk 1913-1962) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the "Combat Bulletin" Program Series. 1944 - 1951. CAPTURE OF TENGYUEH, BURMA ROAD BARRIER, ETC National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. MEMPHIS BELLE (OUTTAKES) National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Robert Abercrombie Lovett papers, 1919-1986 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Thomas S. Power Papers, 1928-1970 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. THE ANNIVERSARY OF QUESTION MARK ENDURANCE FLIGHT National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Carl Spaatz Papers, 1910-1981, (bulk 1942-1963) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Parton, James, 1912-. Photograph album of James Parton, 1912-1969. Harvard University Archives.
referencedIn Lane, Robert B. Gen Ira C. Eaker memorabilia : correspondence / Robert B. Lane ... [et al.] 1985-1997. Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center, Air University Library
referencedIn Parton, James, 1912-. Additional papers, 1896-1991. Houghton Library
referencedIn Elwood R. Quesada Papers. 1920 - 1967. Photographs Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
creatorOf Eaker, Ira, 1896-1987. The Ira C. Eaker papers, 1896-1972. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Documentary Films. 1914 - 1944. OPERATION TITANIC National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIR UNIVERSITY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Hanson Weightman Baldwin papers, 1900-1988 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. SUMMARY OF AIR FORCE EXPERIENCE, LIEUTENANT GENERAL EAKER, PARTS I AND II National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF QUESTION MARK ENDURANCE FLIGHT, BOLLING AFB, WASHINGTON, D.C. National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Eaker, Ira, 1896-1987. Reminiscences of Ira Clarence Eaker : oral history, 1959. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. WINGS OF THE ARMY. PRODUCED BY US ARMY AIR CORPS National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Ruth M. Briggs Papers. 1942 - 1945. Photographs Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
creatorOf Ira Eaker Papers, 1917-1989, (bulk 1942-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of the Office of Civilian Defense. 1939 - 1945. Motion Picture Films. 1941 - 1943. BABIES' GUARDIANS ON THE ALERT [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Carl Spaatz Papers, 1910-1981, (bulk 1942-1963) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. WINGS FOR TOMORROW USAF ACADEMY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Motion Picture Films From the "Air Force News Review" Program Series. 1947 - 1961. U.S. AIR FORCE IN FIRST RAID ON FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Clark, Albert P., 1913-2010. Albert P. Clark collection, 1903-2008. US Air Force Academy, McDermott Library
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. DAEDALION TROPHY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. GENERAL CARL SPAATZ RECEIVES USAFA'S THOMAS D. WHITE AWARD, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. U.S. BOMBERS RAID NAZI-HELD FRANCE [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. U.S. AIR BASES IN RUSSIA [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. WINGS OF THE ARMY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. EARLY CARGO AND TRANSPORT AIRPLANES National Archives at College Park
Relation Name
associatedWith Air Force Academy Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Air Force Historical Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Air University (U.S.). Air War College. corporateBody
correspondedWith Arnold, Henry Harley, 1886-1950 person
associatedWith Baldwin, Hanson Weightman, 1903-1991. person
correspondedWith Cannon, Joseph K. person
correspondedWith Churchill, Winston, 1874-1965 person
associatedWith Clark, Albert P., 1913-2010. person
associatedWith Copp, DeWitt S., 1919-1999. person
correspondedWith Devers, Jacob L. (Jacob Loucks), 1887-1979 person
associatedWith Doolittle, James Harold, 1896-1993. person
associatedWith Douglas Aircraft Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Douglas, Donald W. (Donald Wills), 1892-1981 person
correspondedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969 person
associatedWith Falcon Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Fechet, James E. (James Edmond), b. 1877. person
associatedWith Foulois, Benjamin Delahauf, 1879-1967. person
correspondedWith Giles, Barney McKinney, 1892- person
correspondedWith Harriman, W. Averell (William Averell), 1891-1986 person
correspondedWith Harris, Arthur Travers, Sir, 1892- person
correspondedWith Harris, Hunter person
correspondedWith Harris, Hunter person
correspondedWith Harte, Houston, 1893- person
associatedWith Hughes Aircraft Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Hughes, Howard, 1905-1976. person
associatedWith Hughes Tool Company. corporateBody
correspondedWith Hull, Harris B., 1909-1993 person
correspondedWith Jackson, Glenn person
correspondedWith Jackson, Glenn person
correspondedWith Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973 person
correspondedWith Lane, Robert B. person
correspondedWith Lay, Beirne, 1909- person
associatedWith Leach, W. Barton (Walter Barton), 1900- person
correspondedWith LeMay, Curtis E. person
correspondedWith LeMay, Curtis E. person
correspondedWith Loening, Grover, 1888-1976. person
associatedWith Lovett, Robert A. (Robert Abercrombie), 1895- person
associatedWith Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. corporateBody
associatedWith Mitchell, William, 1879-1936. person
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith North Atlantic Treaty Organization. corporateBody
correspondedWith Parton, James, 1912- person
correspondedWith Pinkley, Virgil person
associatedWith Power, Thomas S. (Thomas Sarsfield), 1905- person
correspondedWith Quesada, Elwood R. (Elwood Richard), 1904- person
correspondedWith Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973 person
associatedWith Shaughnessy, Donald F., person
correspondedWith Slessor, John Cotesworth, Sir, 1897- person
associatedWith Spaatz, Carl, 1891-1974. person
associatedWith Speer, Albert, 1905-1981. person
associatedWith Strategic Arms Limitation Talks. corporateBody
associatedWith Tobin, Richard, person
associatedWith Twining, Nathan F. (Nathan Farragut), 1897-1982. person
associatedWith United States. Air Force. corporateBody
associatedWith United States Air Force Academy. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Air Corps. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army Air Forces. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army Air Forces. Air Force, 8th corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army Air Forces. Bomber Command, 8th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Air Service. corporateBody
associatedWith Westover, Oscar, 1883-1938. person
correspondedWith Whitney, John Hay person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Outer space
Great Britain
Outer space
United States
Italy
Middle East
United States
Europe
Soviet Union
Middle East.
Europe
Soviet Union
Subject
Aeronautics
Aeronautics, Military
Aircraft industry
Aircraft industry
Air pilots
Air power
Aviation
Military readiness
Nationalism
National security
National security
Newspapers
Veterans
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Airforce officers
Army officers
Aviators
Executives
Journalists
Activity

Person

Birth 1896-04-13

Death 1987-08-06

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 44952146