Charles F. Born

American football player and major general (1903–1979) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Charles Franklin Born (April 24, 1903[1] – May 24, 1979) was a major general in the United States Air Force and an All-American football player.

Nickname"Charley"
Born(1903-04-24)April 24, 1903
Racine, Wisconsin, United States
DiedMay 24, 1979(1979-05-24) (aged 76)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Quick facts Nickname, Born ...
Charles Franklin Born
Major General Charles F. Born
Nickname"Charley"
Born(1903-04-24)April 24, 1903
Racine, Wisconsin, United States
DiedMay 24, 1979(1979-05-24) (aged 76)
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Buried
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Service years1928–1934 (Army)
1934–1941 (Army Air Corps)
1941–1947 (Army Air Forces)
1947–1955 (Air Force)
Rank Major general
Commands50th Observation Squadron
Antilles Air Command
II Bomber Command
Continental Air Forces
Second Air Force
Tactical Air Command
United States Air Forces in Europe
Air Training Command
ConflictsWorld War II
Berlin Airlift
Close

Early life and education

Born was born in Racine, Wisconsin, to Frank and Martha (née: Madera) Born.[2] His father was born in Germany, and was a city of Racine fireman. He had two younger brothers, Captain Howard and Admiral Arthur S. Born, who were naval officers, and a younger sister, Grace. He graduated from St. John's Military Academy in 1924, where he was chosen as honor graduate, and West Point in 1928. On May 4, 1949, in Arlington, Virginia, he married the former Miss Eleanor Mae Moller. He died on May 24, 1979, in Phoenix, Arizona, and was buried in West Point Cemetery.[3] With his first wife, Florence née: Fountain, he had 3 children; Charles Jr., JoAnne, and Charlotte. His brothers are buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

United States Military Academy

portrait photographs of Born during his days attending and playing football at the United States Military Academy

Born graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928. While there, he was an All-American member of the Army Black Knights football and lacrosse team. He was also a member of the ice hockey team. He was selected as a first-team end by the All-America Board for the 1925 College Football All-America Team.[4] He was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.[5]

During the 1926 football season, the 6 feet (1.8 m) tall Born weighed 172 pounds (78 kg) and played left guard. After Army defeated the Yale Bulldogs in 1926, Yale coach Tad Jones hailed Born as one of the greatest ends he had ever witnessed play football.[6] In the highly-publicized 1926 Army–Navy game, attention was given to the fact that Born and his brother Arthur were playing for the opposing military academy teams (with Arthur playing for Navy).[7]

Military career

Upon graduation he was assigned to the Cavalry. In 1934, he transferred to the Air Corps. He was given command of the 50th Observation Squadron in 1936. In 1937, he was named an instructor at the United States Military Academy. During World War II, he took command of the Antilles Air Command and assistant chief of staff for operations and training of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force before being named assistant chief of staff for operations and training and eventually deputy commander of the Fifteenth Air Force. Following the war, he was given command of the Second Air Force and the Fifteenth Air Force. In 1947, he was appointed chief of staff of Tactical Air Command. Later, he would become deputy chief of staff for operations of the United States Air Forces in Europe. In 1951, he was named deputy for operations of Air Training Command. His retirement was effective as of January 1, 1955.[8]

Assignments

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster. Born was also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath of the United Kingdom.[9]

Decorations

References

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