Carlos Talbott
Encyclopedia
Carlos Maurice Talbott (born January 28, 1920) was a United States Air Force
officer who attained the rank of lieutenant general
and was vice commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base
, Hawaii
.
Born in Charleston, Illinois
, he attended Eastern Illinois University
from 1936 to 1939 and graduated from the United States Military Academy
with a bachelor of science degree. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1943. While at the academy, he graduated from advanced flying school at Lake Charles, Louisiana
in December 1942. He received his master of arts degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1964.
Talbott's first assignment was as a Curtiss P-40
pilot at Dothan Field, Alabama. In March 1943 he became a P-47 pilot with the 326th
and then the 368th Fighter Group
s at Westover Field, Massachusetts
and Mitchel Field, New York. In December 1943, during World War II
, he went with the 368th Group to the European Theater of Operations
as a pilot with the 397th Fighter Squadron. From October 1944 to April 1945, he was assigned as assistant operations officer and later operations officer of the 368th Fighter Group.
In May 1945 he returned to the United States and was assigned to Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina. He attended the Army Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
and in February 1946 returned to Seymour Johnson Field to be base adjutant
.
From May 1946 to March 1948, Talbott served with the Organization and Training Division of the War Department
General Staff
in Washington, D.C.
. He was then was assigned to the Directorate of Training and Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Talbott went to Ankara, Turkey, in March 1949 as a fighter pilot training adviser with the American Mission for Aid to Turkey and in December 1950 became executive officer
for the U.S. Air Force Group. In April 1951 he returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as an operations staff officer in the Directorate of Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations.
In July 1954, Talbott became commander of the 322d Fighter Day Group at Foster Air Force Base, Texas, and from August 1957 to June 1958 attended the Air War College
at Maxwell Air Force Base
. He then went to Japan
as director of tactical operations and later was chief of Combat Operations Division, in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Fifth Air Force, at Fuchu Air Station, Japan. He was assigned as director of operations, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Itazuke Air Base, in July 1960.
Talbott returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in August 1962 as deputy chief of the Tactical Air Division, Directorate of Operational Requirements. In October 1962 he became chief of the Tactical Nuclear Branch in the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Special Studies Group.
He assumed command of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base
in August 1965, and went to Southeast Asia
with the wing in March 1966. He was assigned in May 1966 as deputy director of the Tactical Air Control Center, Headquarters Seventh Air Force. In May 1967 he was assigned as the chief of staff for the United States Taiwan Defense Command
.
Talbott returned to the United States in September 1968 and became vice commander of the Tenth Air Force
at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base
. In August 1969 he was assigned as vice commander of the Ninth Air Force
with headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base
. In July 1970 he again was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as director of operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations.
In August 1972 he returned to the Republic of Vietnam
as director of operations, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and deputy chief of staff, operations, Seventh Air Force
. General Talbott was appointed vice commander in chief of Pacific Air Forces with headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, in April 1973. He was promoted to the grade of lieutenant general effective April 6, 1973 with the same date of rank, and retired September 1, 1974.
Talbott was a command pilot, flew more than 4,500 hours, and during World War II flew 96 combat missions. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross
; Distinguished Service Medal
with two oak leaf clusters; Legion of Merit
with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross
with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal
with 15 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Purple Heart
; Gold Cross of the Royal Order of the Phoenix (Greece); Korean Medal of Merit; from the Republic of Vietnam the National Order of Vietnam
, 5th Class, Armed Forces Honor Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class; Order of Cloud and Banner, Republic of China
; and Air Force Wings of Turkey, China and Republic of Vietnam.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
officer who attained the rank of 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...
and was vice commander in chief of the Pacific Air Forces, headquartered at Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam Field, re-named Hickam Air Force Base in 1948, was a United States Air Force facility now part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, named in honor of aviation pioneer Lt Col Horace Meek Hickam.- History :...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Born in Charleston, Illinois
Charleston, Illinois
Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,838 as of the 2010 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor Mattoon, Illinois...
, he attended Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University is a state university located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a comprehensive university with a...
from 1936 to 1939 and graduated from 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...
with a bachelor of science degree. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1943. While at the academy, he graduated from advanced flying school at Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Lake Charles is the fifth-largest incorporated city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, located on Lake Charles, Prien Lake, and the Calcasieu River. Located in Calcasieu Parish, a major cultural, industrial, and educational center in the southwest region of the state, and one of the most important in...
in December 1942. He received his master of arts degree in international affairs from The George Washington University in 1964.
Talbott's first assignment was as a Curtiss P-40
Curtiss P-40
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
pilot at Dothan Field, Alabama. In March 1943 he became a P-47 pilot with the 326th
326th Fighter Group
The 57th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 25th Air Division, Air Defense Command. It was last stationed at Paine Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 30 September 1968....
and then the 368th Fighter Group
368th Fighter Group
The 368th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XII Tactical Air Command stationed at Fliegerhorst Straubing , Germany. It was deactivated on 20 August 1946....
s at Westover Field, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and Mitchel Field, New York. In December 1943, during 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...
, he went with the 368th Group to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
as a pilot with the 397th Fighter Squadron. From October 1944 to April 1945, he was assigned as assistant operations officer and later operations officer of the 368th Fighter Group.
In May 1945 he returned to the United States and was assigned to Seymour Johnson Field, North Carolina. He attended the Army Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
and in February 1946 returned to Seymour Johnson Field to be base adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
.
From May 1946 to March 1948, Talbott served with the Organization and Training Division of the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
General Staff
General Staff
A military staff, often referred to as General Staff, Army Staff, Navy Staff or Air Staff within the individual services, is a group of officers and enlisted personnel that provides a bi-directional flow of information between a commanding officer and subordinate military units...
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....
. He was then was assigned to the Directorate of Training and Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Talbott went to Ankara, Turkey, in March 1949 as a fighter pilot training adviser with the American Mission for Aid to Turkey and in December 1950 became executive officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
for the U.S. Air Force Group. In April 1951 he returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as an operations staff officer in the Directorate of Operations, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations.
In July 1954, Talbott became commander of the 322d Fighter Day Group at Foster Air Force Base, Texas, and from August 1957 to June 1958 attended the Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
at Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base
Maxwell Air Force Base , officially known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, is a United States Air Force installation under the Air Education and Training Command . The installation is located in Montgomery, Alabama, US. It was named in honor of Second Lieutenant William C...
. He then went to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as director of tactical operations and later was chief of Combat Operations Division, in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters Fifth Air Force, at Fuchu Air Station, Japan. He was assigned as director of operations, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Itazuke Air Base, in July 1960.
Talbott returned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in August 1962 as deputy chief of the Tactical Air Division, Directorate of Operational Requirements. In October 1962 he became chief of the Tactical Nuclear Branch in the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Special Studies Group.
He assumed command of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base
Holloman Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located six miles southwest of the central business district of Alamogordo, a city in Otero County, New Mexico, United States. The base was named in honor of Col. George V. Holloman, a pioneer in guided missile research...
in August 1965, and went to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
with the wing in March 1966. He was assigned in May 1966 as deputy director of the Tactical Air Control Center, Headquarters Seventh Air Force. In May 1967 he was assigned as the chief of staff for the United States Taiwan Defense Command
United States Taiwan Defense Command
The United States Taiwan Defense Command was a sub-unified command of the United States armed forces. It was originally formed as the Formosa Liaison Center . In November 1955, the FLC become the Taiwan Defense Command...
.
Talbott returned to the United States in September 1968 and became vice commander of the Tenth Air Force
Tenth Air Force
The Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....
at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base
Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base
Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base is a closed United States Air Force base. It is located south of Kansas City, Missouri. It was closed in 1994....
. In August 1969 he was assigned as vice commander of the Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
with headquarters at Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base
Shaw Air Force Base is a United States Military facility located approximately west-northwest of Sumter, South Carolina. It is under the jurisdiction of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command...
. In July 1970 he again was assigned to Headquarters U.S. Air Force as director of operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Operations.
In August 1972 he returned to the Republic of Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
as director of operations, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and deputy chief of staff, operations, Seventh Air Force
Seventh Air Force
The Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
. General Talbott was appointed vice commander in chief of Pacific Air Forces with headquarters at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, in April 1973. He was promoted to the grade of lieutenant general effective April 6, 1973 with the same date of rank, and retired September 1, 1974.
Talbott was a command pilot, flew more than 4,500 hours, and during World War II flew 96 combat missions. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
; Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
with two oak leaf clusters; 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...
with oak leaf cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with 15 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
; Gold Cross of the Royal Order of the Phoenix (Greece); Korean Medal of Merit; from the Republic of Vietnam the National Order of Vietnam
National Order of Vietnam
The National Order of Vietnam was a combined military-civilian decoration of South Vietnam and was considered the highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual by the Republic of Vietnam government....
, 5th Class, Armed Forces Honor Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class; Order of Cloud and Banner, Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
; and Air Force Wings of Turkey, China and Republic of Vietnam.
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Air Force Distinguished Service MedalAir Force Distinguished Service MedalThe Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. The medal was intended as a new decoration of the United States Air Force to replace the policy of awarding the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Air Force personnel.The Air Force...
with two oak leaf clusters
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe 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...
with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
with oak leaf cluster
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with fifteen oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal