Patrick W Timberlake
Encyclopedia
Patrick W Timberlake was a General in the United States Army Air Corps
during World War II, serving in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters of operation.
Timberlake attended the U.S. Military Academy, having a successful role on the football team there. Upon his graduation in 1923, he was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery. He later moved to the Army Air Corps and became a certified command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer. He commanded units in Panama, North Africa, Okinawa & Naples.
in 1943, and took over as his Chief of Staff after the formation of the Mediterranean Air Command
. During this time he helped in the planning and execution of the campaigns in North Africa, Pantelleria, Sicily and mainland Italy. Returning to Washington in 1944, he was reassigned to 8th Air Force in Okinawa under Jimmy Doolittle
in July 1945.
. He passed away in San Antonio, Texas in 1983.
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
during World War II, serving in both the Mediterranean and Pacific theaters of operation.
Timberlake attended the U.S. Military Academy, having a successful role on the football team there. Upon his graduation in 1923, he was commissioned in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant of Artillery. He later moved to the Army Air Corps and became a certified command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer. He commanded units in Panama, North Africa, Okinawa & Naples.
Early Life & Career
Timberlake was born in Fort Greble, RI in 1901. His family had a strong military tradition, with several West Point graduates. His father, Colonel Edward J. Timberlake, U.S. Army, was a ramrod-straight soldier, USMA Class of 1893, who played for West Point in the first Army-Navy football game in 1890. Colonel Timberlake had four sons and all graduated from West Point. The second youngest, J. Coleman Timberlake, died in 1938 at age 32, but Patrick and his three brothers carried on the family’s military tradition in notable style. Patrick's brother, Edward J., was also an Air Force Lt. General and a decorated WWII hero; the oldest son, Edward M, was an Army Brigadier General. Patrick enrolled in the US Military Academy at West Point where he played football as a tight end. He had a critical role in the Army–Navy Game in 1922. He caught the go-ahead touchdown in the 4th Quarter to beat the Midshipmen 17-14. After graduating in 1923 he went into artillery with the Sixth Field Artillery at Fort Holye, Md. In 1925 he transferred to the 17th Field Artillery at Fort Bragg, N.C. In September 1925 he entered Primary Flying School at Brooks Field, Texas, a move that would completely change the course of his career. He was assigned to bombers in the Second Bomber Group shortly before the formation of the US Army Air Corps. After a spell as a flight instructor he was transferred to the Panama Canal Zone with the 24th Pursuit Squadron in 1929. In 1931 he got a command with the 78th Pursuit Squadron. He enrolled in the Air Corps Engineering School in 1933. He was then assigned to the Aircraft Branch of the Air Corps Materiel Division, and in October 1935 was appointed chief of the Attack and Observation Engineering Unit there. In the following years he attended the Air Corps Tactical School and the Command and General Staff School.War Time Service
Timberlake entered combat operations in World War II as a Colonel in North Africa in charge of Ninth Bomber Command. He was appointed director of operations and plans for British Air Chief Marshal TedderArthur Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Arthur William Tedder, 1st Baron Tedder, GCB was a senior British air force commander. During the First World War, he was a pilot and squadron commander in the Royal Flying Corps and he went on to serve as a senior officer in the Royal Air Force during the inter-war...
in 1943, and took over as his Chief of Staff after the formation of the Mediterranean Air Command
Mediterranean Air Command
The Mediterranean Air Command was the official Allied air force command organization in the North African and Mediterranean Theater of Operations between February 18 and December 10, 1943. MAC was commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder whose headquarters were established next to those...
. During this time he helped in the planning and execution of the campaigns in North Africa, Pantelleria, Sicily and mainland Italy. Returning to Washington in 1944, he was reassigned to 8th Air Force in Okinawa under Jimmy Doolittle
Jimmy Doolittle
General James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle, USAF was an American aviation pioneer. Doolittle served as a brigadier general, major general and lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War...
in July 1945.
Post War Career
Timberlake assumed command of the 8th Air Force in 1946 before moving to various high level roles in the Army-Navy Munitions Board from late 1946 to 1950. In 1952 he assumed command of the Air Proving Ground Command at Eglin AFB until 1955. He was then transferred to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe where he assumed the command of Allied Air Forces in Southern Europe based in Naples. He retired as a Lt. General in 1957. In his post-military career he worked with the Northrop CorporationNorthrop Corporation
Northrop Corporation was a leading United States aircraft manufacturer from its formation in 1939 until its merger with Grumman to form Northrop Grumman in 1994. The company is known for its development of the flying wing design, although only a few of these have entered service.-History:Jack...
. He passed away in San Antonio, Texas in 1983.