George Brett (military)
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- For the Major League Baseball player, see George Brett (baseball).
| George Howard Brett | |
|---|---|
| February 7, 1886 - 1963 | |
| Place of birth | Cleveland, Ohio |
| Place of death | Winter Park, Florida |
| Allegiance | USAAF |
| Years of service | 1910-1945 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross |
George Howard Brett, (February 7, 1886 – 1963), was a United States Army Air Forces general during World War II and was, for a short period, deputy commander of the major Allied command in South East Asia, the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM). During his career Brett received the Distinguished Service Medal, a Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross.
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[edit] Early life
Brett was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father, William Howard Brett, was a notable librarian.
George Brett graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1909. He was appointed as a Second Lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts in 1910. Brett transferred to the US Cavalry in 1911.
Brett was transferred to the US Army Air Corps, and in 1921 was appointed commanding officer of Crissy Field in San Francisco.
In 1936, he graduated from the Army War College and in 1939 was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Corps, making Brett the US Army's fifth most senior air officer. When his immediate superior, Major General Henry H. Arnold was temporarily transferred to the Army General Staff in November 1939, Brett, now also a Major General, acted as Chief of the Air Corps. Arnold was promoted to Chief of the Army Air Forces on June 20, 1941 and Brett officially succeeded him as the last Chief of the Air Corps.
[edit] World War II
Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, Brett was appointed commander of all United States forces in Australia and arrived there on December 28, 1941. He was based initially in Brisbane.
Brett was promoted to Lieutenant General in January 1942 and the Allied governments appointed him deputy to the British General Archibald Wavell, commander of ABDACOM. Brett travelled to ABDA headquarters at Bandung, in the Dutch East Indies. However the rapid advance of Japanese forces through South East Asia had soon split the Allied-controlled area in two, and Brett returned to Australia.
In the meantime, General Douglas MacArthur had also arrived in Australia and was appointed to the new post of Supreme Commander South West Pacific Area (SWPA), based in Melbourne. In April, Brett was made commander of Allied air forces in the SWPA.
Following disagreements with MacArthur, Brett was transferred to the US on August 4, 1942. General George Kenney officially took over as Allied air commander, SWPA.
In November 1942, Brett was appointed commander of the US Caribbean Defense Command and the US Army's Panama Canal Department.
[edit] Post-war
He later wrote an influential paper on inter-service relations and the creation of the US Air Force, entitled "The Air Force Struggle for Independence".
A B-17D Flying Fortress, named "Swoose", which Brett used extensively for his personal transport during WWII, and which he often piloted, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.
Brett retired from the Army in October 1945, and lived in Winter Park, Florida until his death at age 77. He was buried in Winter Park, Florida.
[edit] References
[1] Peter Dunn (ozatwar.com), "Lieutenant General George H. Brett in Australia During WW2" (2001)
