Charles Franklin Born (April 24, 1903 – May 24, 1979) was a major general in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

and an All-American football player.

Biography

Born was born in

Racine, Wisconsin Racine ( ) is a city in Racine County, Wisconsin, United States, and its county seat. It is located on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Root River (Wisconsin), Root River, south of Milwaukee and north of Chicago. It is the List ...

, to Frank and Martha (née: Madera) Born. 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 West Point Cemetery is a historic cemetery on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, West Point, New York (state), New York. It overlooks the Hudson River, and served as a burial ground for Continental Army s ...

. 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

Born graduated from the

United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as Officer_(armed_forces)#United_States, comm ...

in 1928. While there, he was an

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed on outstanding athletes in the United States who are considered to be among the best athletes in their respective sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an Al ...

n member of the

Army Black Knights The Army Black Knights are the athletic teams that represent the United States Military Academy, located in West Point, New York. The Black Knights compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a non-footb ...

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

and

lacrosse Lacrosse is a contact team sport played with a lacrosse stick and a lacrosse ball. It is the oldest organized sport in North America, with its origins with the indigenous people of North America as early as the 12th century. The game w ...

team. He was also a member of the ice hockey team. He was selected as a first-team

end End, END, Ending, or ENDS may refer to: End Mathematics *End (category theory) * End (topology) * End (graph theory) * End (group theory) (a subcase of the previous) * End (endomorphism) Sports and games *End (gridiron football) *End, a division ...

by the All-America Board for the

1925 College Football All-America Team The 1925 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1925. Walter Camp died in March 1925, mar ...

. He was also named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press.

Military career

Upon graduation he was assigned to the

Cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...

. In 1934, he transferred to the Air Corps. He was given command of the

50th Observation Squadron The 50th Attack Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force, stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, where it operates the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle. It is assigned to the 25th Attack Group, also at ...

in 1936. In 1937, he was named an instructor at the United States Military Academy. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, he took command of the

Antilles Air Command The Antilles Air Command is a disbanded United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Sixth Air Force, based at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, where it was inactivated on 25 August 1946. Engaged in antisubmarine operations ...

and assistant chief of staff for operations and training of the

Northwest African Strategic Air Force The Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) was a sub-command of the Northwest African Air Forces (NAAF) which itself was a sub-command of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC). These new Allied air force organizations were created at the Casa ...

before being named assistant chief of staff for operations and training and eventually deputy commander of the

Fifteenth Air Force The Fifteenth Air Force (15 AF) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base. It was reactivated on 20 August 2020, merging the previous units of the Ninth Air Forc ...

. Following the war, he was given command of the

Second Air Force The Second Air Force (2 AF; ''2d Air Force'' in 1942) is a USAF numbered air force responsible for conducting basic military and technical training for Air Force enlisted members and non-flying officers. In World War II the CONUS unit defended ...

and the Fifteenth Air Force. In 1947, he was appointed chief of staff of

Tactical Air Command Tactical Air Command (TAC) is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force, Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 and headquartered at Lang ...

. Later, he would become deputy chief of staff for operations of the

United States Air Forces in Europe United may refer to: Places * United, Pennsylvania, an unincorporated community * United, West Virginia, an unincorporated community Arts and entertainment Films * ''United'' (2003 film), a Norwegian film * ''United'' (2011 film), a BBC Two f ...

. In 1951, he was named deputy for operations of

Air Training Command The Air Training Command (ATC) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) Major Command designation. It was headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, but was initially formed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. It was re-designated ...

. His retirement was effective as of January 1, 1955.

Assignments

* 1928-XX-XX – 1933-XX-XX – Lieutenant, US Army,

4th Cavalry Regiment The 4th Cavalry Regiment is a United States Army cavalry regiment, whose lineage is traced back to the mid-19th century. It was one of the most effective units of the Army against American Indians on the Texas frontier. Today, the regiment exis ...

Fort Meade, South Dakota Fort Meade, originally known as Camp Sturgis and later Camp Ruhlen, is a former United States Army post located just east of Sturgis, South Dakota, United States. The fort was active from 1878 to 1944; the cantonment is currently home to a Vete ...

* 1933-02-XX – 1933-XX-XX – Pilot trainee, Air Corps Primary Flying School, Randolph Field, Texas * 1933-XX-XX – 1934-02-XX – Student, Air Corps Advanced Flying School,

Kelly Field, Texas Kelly Field (formerly Kelly Air Force Base) is a Joint-Use facility located in San Antonio, Texas. It was originally named after George E. M. Kelly, the first member of the U.S. military killed in the crash of an airplane he was piloting. I ...

* 1934-02-XX – 1934-04-XX – 72nd Bombardment Squadron, Luke Field, Hawaii * 1934-08-XX – 1936-XX-XX – Assistant Supply Officer, Assistant Engineering Officer, Luke Field, Hawaii * 1936-XX-XX – 1937-06-XX – Commanding Officer, 50th Observation Squadron, Luke Field, Hawaii * 1937-06-XX – 1939-05-XX – Instructor, general military law,

U.S. Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as commissioned officers in the United States Army. The academy was founded ...

, West Point, New York * 1939-05-XX – 1939-08-XX – Student, Air Corps Tactical School,

Maxwell Field, Alabama Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force (USAF) installation under the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. ...

* 1939-08-XX – 1940-06-XX – Instructor, general military law,

, West Point, New York * 1940-06-XX – 1941-08-XX – Commanding Officer, 5th Bombardment Squadron, Mitchel Field, New York * 1941-08-XX – 1941-12-XX – Commanding Officer,

9th Bombardment Group 009 may refer to: * OO9, gauge model railways * O09, FAA identifier for Round Valley Airport * 0O9, FAA identifier for Ward Field, see List of airports in California * British secret agent 009, see 00 Agent * BA 009, see British Airways Flight 9 ...

Rio Hato Rio or Río is the Portuguese and Spanish word for "river". The word also exists in Italian, but is largely obsolete and used in a poetical or literary context to mean "stream". Rio, RIO or Río may also refer to: Places United States * Rio, Flo ...

, Panama * 1941-12-XX – 1942-05-XX – Operations Officer,

VI Interceptor Command The Trinidad Wing, Antilles Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Antilles Air Command at Waller Field, Trinidad. It was disbanded on 15 March 1944. History Engaged in antisubmarine operations. ...

, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1942-08-21 – 1942-10-07 – Commanding Officer 36th Fighter Command, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1942-10-08 – 1942-10-16 – Commanding Officer

25th Bombardment Group Fifth is the ordinal form of the number five. Fifth or The Fifth may refer to: * Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as in the expression "pleading the Fifth" * Fifth Avenue * Fifth column, a political term * Fifth disease, a conta ...

, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1942-10-17 – 1943-05-11 – Commander Trinidad Detachment, 6th Fighter Command,

Antilles Air Task Force The Antilles Air Command is a disbanded United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Sixth Air Force, based at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico, where it was inactivated on 25 August 1946. Engaged in antisubmarine operations ...

, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1943-05-20 – 1943-06-30 – Commanding General Trinidad Detachment,

, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1943-05-20 – 1943-06-30 – Commanding General 6th Fighter Command,

, Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico * 1943-07-29 – 1943-09-30 – Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training (A-3),

II Bomber Command The II Bomber Command is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. It was established in September 1941, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor to command heavy bomber units assigned to Second Air Force. Following the entry of the United St ...

, Hq 2nd Air Force, Spokane, Washington * 1943-10-01 – 1944-10-07 – Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training (A-3),

15th Air Force The Fifteenth Air Force (15 AF) is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC). It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base. It was reactivated on 20 August 2020, merging the previous units of the Ninth Air Fo ...

, Tunis, Tunisia, Italy * 1944-10-08 – 1945-03-07 – Deputy Commanding General,

, Tunis, Tunisia, Italy * 1945-04-XX – 1945-11-25 – Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations & Training,

Continental Air Forces Continental Air Forces (CAF) was a United States Army Air Forces major command, active 1944–1946. It was tasked with combat training of bomber and fighter personnel, and for Continental United States (CONUS) air defense after the Aircraft Wa ...

Bolling Field The origins of the surname Bolling: English language, English: from a nickname for someone with close-cropped hair or a large head, Middle English bolling "pollard", or for a heavy drinker, from Middle English bolling "excessive drinking". German ...

, Washington D.C. * 1945-09-07 – 1945-12-31 – Director of Separation, Continental Air Forces,

, Washington D.C. * 1945-11-26 – 1946-03-16 – Chief of Staff, Continental Air Forces,

, Washington D.C. * 1946-03-19 – 1946-03-31 – Commanding General,

2nd Air Force The Second Air Force (2 AF; ''2d Air Force'' in 1942) is a USAF numbered air force responsible for conducting basic military and technical training for Air Force enlisted members and non-flying officers. In World War II the CONUS unit defended ...

, Colorado Springs AAB,

Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States. It is one of the Mountain states, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is also bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas ...

* 1946-03-31 – 1947-04-15 – Commanding General

, Colorado Springs AAB,

* 1947-04-21 – 1947-09-03 – Chief of Staff,

Langley AFB Langley Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Hampton, Virginia, adjacent to Newport News. It was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the entry of the United States into World War I in April 1 ...

, Virginia * 1947-09-04 – 1948-10-03 – Deputy Commanding General Indoctrination Division,

Lackland AFB Lackland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force (USAF) base located in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and an enclave of ...

, Texas * 1947-09-04 – 1948-10-03 – Chief of Staff, Indoctrination Division, Air Training Command,

, Texas * 1948-10-16 – 1949-04-07 – Commanding General of the Indoctrination Division,

, Texas * 1949-05-01 – 1951-01-11 – Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations,

US Air Forces in Europe US or Us most often refers to: * ''Us'' (pronoun), the objective case of the English first-person plural pronoun ''we'' * US, an abbreviation for the United States US, U.S., Us, us, or u.s. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Albums * ...

, Wiesbaden, Germany * 1951-01-26 – 1952-11-XX – Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations,

Scott AFB Scott Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville and O'Fallon, east-southeast of downtown St. Louis. Originally Scott Field, it was one of 32 Air Service training camps established aft ...

, Illinois * 1952-11-01 – 1953-08-XX – Commanding General 3600th Flying Training Wing,

Luke AFB Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States., effective 20 December 2007 It is located west of the central business district of Glendale, and west of Phoenix. Luke AFB is a major train ...

, Arizona * 1953-08-XX – 1953-10-XX – Vice Commanding General Crew Training Air Force,

Randolph AFB Randolph Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in Bexar County, Texas, ( east-northeast of Downtown San Antonio). Opened in 1931, Randolph has been a flying training facility for the United States Army Air Corps, the United ...

, Texas * 1953-10-XX – 1955-01-01 – Commanding General Crew Training Air Force,

, Texas * 1955-01-01 – Retired Awards he received include the

Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation, state or country. Examples include: *Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in act ...

, the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a Awards and decorations of the United States military, military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievemen ...

with two

oak leaf clusters An oak leaf cluster is a ribbon device to denote preceding decorations and awards consisting of a miniature bronze or silver twig of four oak leaves with three acorns on the stem. It is authorized by the United States Armed Forces for a spec ...

, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the

Air Medal The Air Medal (AM) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Criteria The Air Medal was establi ...

with oak leaf cluster. Born was also an honorary Knight Commander of the

Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I of Great Britain, George I on 18 May 1725. Recipients of the Order are usually senior British Armed Forces, military officers or senior Civil Service ...

of the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Decorations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Born, Charles F. 1903 births 1979 deaths American football ends Army Black Knights football players Army Black Knights men's lacrosse players Army Black Knights men's ice hockey players United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II United States Military Academy alumni United States Military Academy faculty United States Air Force generals All-American college football players Recipients of the Air Medal Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Recipients of the Legion of Merit Military personnel from Wisconsin Players of American football from Racine, Wisconsin