Earle E. Partridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Earle E. Partridge
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General Earle Everard Partridge
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| Born | July 7, 1900 Winchendon, Massachusetts, US |
| Died | September 7, 1990 (aged 90) Jupiter, Florida, US |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1918–1919, 1924–1947 (Army) 1947–1959 (Air Force) |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands held | North American Air Defense Command Far East Air Forces Air Research and Development Command Fifth Air Force 3rd Bomb Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star Air Medal (11) Belgian Croix de Guerre Order of the Bath French Croix de Guerre French Legion of Honor Order of Polonia Restituta Korean Order of Military Merit |
| Relations | Wife - Katherine H Partridge
Daughter - Patricia E Partridge Daughter - Kay B Partridge |
Earle Everard "Pat" Partridge (July 7, 1900 – September 7, 1990) was a very important general in the United States Air Force. He reached the rank of four-star general, which is one of the highest ranks in the military. He was also a skilled Command Pilot.
Contents
General Earle Partridge's Life
Earle Partridge was born in Winchendon, Massachusetts. He finished high school in 1917. In July 1918, he joined the United States Army. He was assigned to the 5th Engineer Training Regiment.
Early Military Service
Partridge went to France in August 1918. He joined the 79th Division. He took part in important battles like the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. These were major events during World War I.
After World War I, he left active duty in June 1919. He then studied at Norwich University for a year.
Joining West Point
In June 1920, Partridge joined the Army again. Soon after, in August 1920, he was sent to study at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a famous school for training Army officers.
He graduated from West Point in 1924. He was one of the top students in his class. After graduating, he joined the Air Service.
Flight Training and Early Career
Partridge received his flight training at Brooks Field and Kelly Field. He was a very talented pilot. In fact, he was a stunt pilot for the 1927 silent film Wings.
He later taught mathematics at West Point. Then, he moved to the Panama Canal Zone. There, he worked with the 6th Composite Group. He also served as an officer for the 1st Pursuit Group and commanded the 94th Pursuit Squadron.
Advanced Military Education
Partridge continued to improve his skills. He graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in June 1937. A year later, in June 1938, he graduated from the Command and General Staff School. He then returned to the Air Corps Tactical School to teach until October 1940.
World War II and Beyond
In 1943, Partridge became a chief of staff for the Fifteenth Air Force. In 1944, he was named the deputy commander of the Eighth Air Force. That June, he became the commander of the 3rd Bomb Division. He helped reorganize this division and move it to Okinawa.
After World War II, in January 1946, Partridge returned to the Headquarters Army Air Forces. He worked as an assistant chief of staff for operations.
Korean War Service
In October 1948, he went to Japan. He became the commanding general of the Fifth Air Force. He served in this role through the first year of the Korean War.
When he returned to the United States in June 1951, he took command of the new Air Research and Development Command in Baltimore, Maryland.
Later Commands
In April 1954, he became the commander of the Far East Air Forces in Tokyo. He then served as acting Commander of the Air Defense Command from July 1955 to September 1956.
Later, he was named commander in chief of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). He also commanded the Air Defense Command. These commands were based at Ent Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
In 1957, he even gave an introduction to the Korean War film Battle Hymn, which starred Rock Hudson.
Retirement and Legacy
General Partridge retired from active duty on July 31, 1959. He passed away in Jupiter, Florida on September 7, 1990. He is remembered for his long and important service to the United States military.
Awards and Honors
General Partridge received many awards for his bravery and service. Some of his notable awards include:
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Distinguished Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters, meaning he received it three times)
- Silver Star
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross (with two oak leaf clusters, meaning he received it three times)
- Bronze Star
- Air Medal (with ten oak leaf clusters, meaning he received it eleven times)
- World War I Victory Medal
- American Defense Service Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Korean Service Medal
- United Nations Korea Medal
- Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm (from Belgium)
- Companion, British Order of the Bath (from the United Kingdom)
- French Croix de Guerre with two Palms (from France)
- Knight, French Legion of Honor (from France)
- Commander's Cross with Star, Polish Order of Polonia Restituta (from Poland)
- Korean Order of Military Merit (from Korea)
Images for kids
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Earle Partridge at West Point in 1924
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