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| Information > Biographies > BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT C. OLIVER |
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BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT C. OLIVER
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Died Jan. 13, 1966.
Robert Chaffee Oliver was born at Manila, Philippine Islands, in 1902. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Field Artillery June 12, 1923.
In the fall of that year he joined the Sixth Field Artillery at Fort Hoyle, Md., serving there until June 1925, when he was transferred to the Citizen's Military Training Camp at Camp Meade, Md. In September 1926 he became an aide to Brigadier General Edgar T. Collins, commandant of the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Ga. In September 1929 he enrolled in the Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Okla., from which he graduated in June 1930.
He then transferred to the Air Corps Primary Flying School at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, and after completing the course transferred to the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. He graduated in July 1931 and was transferred to the Air Corps.
In October of that year he joined the 18th Pursuit Group at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Returning to the United States in January 1934, he was assigned to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, for duty with the 47th School Squadron. In August 1934 he entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., from which he graduated in July 1935. He then was assigned to the 57th Service Squadron at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mich., and in August 1936 entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. After graduating in July 1937 he returned to Maxwell Air Force Base where he served as an instructor at the Air Corps Tactical School.
In November 1941 he became a member of the American Air Mission to Africa, the Middle East and India. Shortly thereafter he was assigned to the 10th Air Force, and in May 1942 was named commanding officer of the China-Burma-India Service Command.
Returning to the United States two years later, he became commanding general of the 56th Combat Crew Training Wing at Columbia, S.C., and later moved with that unit to Morris Air Force Base, N.C.
In August 1945 he was assigned to Air Force Training Command headquarters at Fort Worth, Texas, and later to AAF Flying Training Command headquarters at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. In April 1946 he went to Air Defense Command headquarters at Mitchel Air Force Base, N.Y.
He went to South Pacific in August of that year and was assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Air Command. The next month he was appointed chief of staff of the First Air Division, and in February 1947 became commanding general of the 301st Fighter wing in the South Pacific. He transferred to the 13th Air Force headquarters in that theater in March 1947 and later that month was appointed chief of staff of the 13th.
He became commanding general of the 18th Fighter Wing, with station at Clark Air Force Base, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in August 1948.
Three months later he returned to the United States to become deputy commanding general of the Ninth Air Force at Greenville, S.C.
He assumed command of the 59th Air Depot Wing at Burtonwood, England, in January 1950.
General Oliver has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Air Medal. He is rated a command pilot, combat observer and technical observer.
(Up to date as of Feb. 2, 1950)
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