Barton Kyle Yount
Encyclopedia
Barton Kyle Yount was a United States Army
Lieutenant General
. His most important assignments were carried out in military aviation as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force.
Yount was born in Troy, Ohio
. He was a student at the Ohio State University
from 1902 to 1903 and then commenced studies at the United States Military Academy
, from which he graduated in 1907.
Yount was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 27th Infantry Regiment
, and carried out assignments in Cuba
, at Ft. Wayne, Michigan, Fort Sheridan, Illinois
, on a mapping detail along the Canadian border, and with 4th Brigade, 2nd Division in Texas City, Texas
. In 1914 he transferred to the 15th Infantry Regiment and served in Tientsin, China. In 1917 he was assigned as Military Attaché in Peking, China.
In late 1917 Yount transferred to the Signal Corps' Temporary Aviation Section
, with duty at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas
. An early leader in military aviation, later that year he was assigned to command the School of Military Aeronautics in Austin, Texas
. During World War I
Yount carried out aviation assignments as commander of Camp Dick in Dallas, Texas
, at the Department of Military Aeronautics, in Washington, D.C.
and at Rockwell Field
, California.
Yount took command of March Field, California in 1919 and served until 1921. From 1921 to 1924 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Air Corps. He graduated from the Air Corps Engineering School in 1925, afterward carrying out a four year tour as Assistant Military Attaché for Aviation in Paris, France.
In 1930 he graduated from Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia. Yount commanded Rockwell Air Depot, California until July 1932, when he assumed command of Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. In 1935 he graduated from the Army Industrial College, and in 1936 he graduated from the Army War College. He then assumed command of Hickham Field, Hawaii, receiving promotion to Brigadier General
. In 1938 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Army Air Corps in Washington, D.C. In 1940 Yount was assigned to command Army Air Forces in Panama
, but just a month later was reassigned to command the Southeast Air District, Tampa, Florida
, receiving promotion to Major General
.
He commanded the West Coast Air Corps Training Center at Moffett Field, California from 1941 to 1942. From 1942 to 1943 he commanded the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command at Fort Worth, Texas. In 1943 he was named as Commanding General, Army Air Forces Training Command, as a Lieutenant General
, where he served until his 1946 retirement. Yount's training methods and emphasis on safety were credited with the successful training of hundreds of thousands of pilots from all branches of the U.S. military, an important component to Allied success in World War II
.
After ending his military service Yount founded and served as President of the American Institute for Foreign Trade, a Glendale, Arizona school he created at the site of the former Thunderbird Field military base, which he purchased after it was closed following World War II. The school is now known as the Thunderbird School of Global Management
, and is the oldest and largest graduate school in the U.S. that focuses on preparing international business leaders.
Yount died at Oak Creek Lodge in Sedona, Arizona
and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
, Section 30, Grave 1047-RH. His awards and decorations included two Distinguished Service Medal
s, the Legion of Merit
, and the Air Medal.
He was the father of Colonel Barton K. Yount, Jr. (1919–1969) an Air Force pilot who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
. His most important assignments were carried out in military aviation as a member of the U.S. Army Air Force.
Yount was born in Troy, Ohio
Troy, Ohio
* - Sports :In addition to Troy High School athletics, Troy is home to the Miami Valley Silverbacks indoor football team of the Continental Indoor Football League....
. He was a student at the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
from 1902 to 1903 and then commenced studies at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, from which he graduated in 1907.
Yount was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 27th Infantry Regiment
27th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 27th Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Wolfhounds, is a unit of the United States Army established in 1901, that served in the Philippine-American War, in the Siberian Intervention after World War I, and as part of the 25th Infantry Division during World War II, the Korean War, and later the...
, and carried out assignments in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, at Ft. Wayne, Michigan, Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Fort Sheridan is a residential neighborhood spread among Lake Forest, Highwood, and Highland Park in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It was originally established as a United States Army Post named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan, to honor his services to Chicago...
, on a mapping detail along the Canadian border, and with 4th Brigade, 2nd Division in Texas City, Texas
Texas City, Texas
Texas City is a city in Chambers and Galveston counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 41,521 at the 2000 census. It is a part of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. In 1914 he transferred to the 15th Infantry Regiment and served in Tientsin, China. In 1917 he was assigned as Military Attaché in Peking, China.
In late 1917 Yount transferred to the Signal Corps' Temporary Aviation Section
Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps
The Aviation Section, Signal Corps, was the military aviation service of the United States Army from 1914 to 1918, and a direct ancestor of the United States Air Force. It replaced and absorbed the Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps, and was succeeded briefly by the Division of Military...
, with duty at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. An early leader in military aviation, later that year he was assigned to command the School of Military Aeronautics in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Yount carried out aviation assignments as commander of Camp Dick in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, at the Department of Military Aeronautics, in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and at Rockwell Field
Rockwell Field
Rockwell Field was an Army air base located in Coronado, California, near San Diego. It shared the area known as North Island with Naval Air Station North Island from 1912 to 1935. Its functions were eventually moved to March Field so that the naval air station could take over the whole area...
, California.
Yount took command of March Field, California in 1919 and served until 1921. From 1921 to 1924 he was assigned to the Office of the Chief of Air Corps. He graduated from the Air Corps Engineering School in 1925, afterward carrying out a four year tour as Assistant Military Attaché for Aviation in Paris, France.
In 1930 he graduated from Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia. Yount commanded Rockwell Air Depot, California until July 1932, when he assumed command of Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. In 1935 he graduated from the Army Industrial College, and in 1936 he graduated from the Army War College. He then assumed command of Hickham Field, Hawaii, receiving promotion to Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
. In 1938 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Army Air Corps in Washington, D.C. In 1940 Yount was assigned to command Army Air Forces in Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, but just a month later was reassigned to command the Southeast Air District, Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, receiving promotion to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
.
He commanded the West Coast Air Corps Training Center at Moffett Field, California from 1941 to 1942. From 1942 to 1943 he commanded the Army Air Forces Flying Training Command at Fort Worth, Texas. In 1943 he was named as Commanding General, Army Air Forces Training Command, as a Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
, where he served until his 1946 retirement. Yount's training methods and emphasis on safety were credited with the successful training of hundreds of thousands of pilots from all branches of the U.S. military, an important component to Allied success in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After ending his military service Yount founded and served as President of the American Institute for Foreign Trade, a Glendale, Arizona school he created at the site of the former Thunderbird Field military base, which he purchased after it was closed following World War II. The school is now known as the Thunderbird School of Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management is a private business school whose main campus is located in Glendale, Arizona. Founded in 1946 by retired U.S...
, and is the oldest and largest graduate school in the U.S. that focuses on preparing international business leaders.
Yount died at Oak Creek Lodge in Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona...
and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Section 30, Grave 1047-RH. His awards and decorations included two Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
s, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, and the Air Medal.
He was the father of Colonel Barton K. Yount, Jr. (1919–1969) an Air Force pilot who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Sources
- Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, George W. Cullum, 1920, Supplement, Volume VI-B, page 1312
- Newspaper article, Trainer of War Fliers, Colonel Yount Takes Onerous Post at Bolling Field, New York Times, November 13, 1932
- Newspaper article, General Yount Is Named Assistant Army Air Chief, New York Times, July 20, 1938
- Newspaper article, 112 Promotions add 84 Generals to Army Roster, 28 Get Boost to Rank of Major General, Chicago Daily Tribune, September 28, 1940
- Newspaper article, Army Shifts Air Commands, California Fields Get New Chief in Move Due to Rapid Expansion, Los Angeles Times, July 20, 1941
- Newspaper article, Two Air Commands Combined by Army: General Yount Will Direct Flying and Technical Training, July 10, 1943
- Newspaper article, War Training Cuts Air Accident Rate: Gen. Yount's Command Turns Out 100,000 Army Pilots a Year in Increased Safety by Hanson W. Baldwin, October 27, 1943
- Newspaper article, Gen. Barton Yount, Head of Training Command in Recent Conflict Dies: Leader of Foreign Trade Institute, New York Times, July 12, 1949
- Newspaper article, Lt. Gen. Yount, 65, Former Air Force Training Boss, Dies, Chicago Daily Tribune, July 12, 1949
- Newspaper article, Gen. Yount Buried in Arlington, New York Times, July 19, 1949
- U.S. Air Force web site, General Officer Biographies, Barton Kyle Yount page, http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=9433
- Thunderbird School of Global Management Web site, history page, http://www.thunderbird.edu/about_thunderbird/inside_tbird/thunderbird_history.htm
- Arlington National Cemetery Web Site, Barton K. Yount, Jr. page, http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/bkyountjr.htm