John Bernard Brooks was born in Greenwich, N.Y., in 1891. He attended St. John's School at Manlius, N.Y. After graduating in November 1912, he was appointed a second lieutenant of Cavalry.
His was first assignment to Fort Ethan Allen, Vt., and then to border patrol duty until October 1915. While attached to the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps he was sent to San Diego, Calif., for flight training. In 1916, he accompanied General Pershing's Punitive Expedition into Mexico as a member of the 1st Aero Squadron. In early 1917, he accompanied the 6th Aero Squadron to Hawaii. In November 1917, he returned to the United States for duty in the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, Washington, D.C. In January 1918, he was ordered to duty at Call Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, and three months later to Scott Field, Ill. In November 1918, he went to Henry J. Domm Field, N.Y., and then commanded the School for Flying Instructors at Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas.
He became Air Officer of the Hawaiian Department and later Commanding Officer of Luke Field. On his return from Hawaii, he served as Air Officer of the Third Corps Area. In October 1923, he was assigned as a student officer at the Air Service Tactical School, Langley Field, Va., where he graduated in June 1924. He then attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and graduated in June 1925. From Fort Leavenworth, he was assigned to duty as Post Operations Officer, Mitchell Field, N.Y., where he served during the ensuing year.
In August 1926, General Brooks attended the Army War College, Washington, D.C., graduating in June 1927. He then was detailed as a member of the War Department General Staff. In 1930, he went to the Philippines as Commanding Officer of Clark Field, and later of Nichols Field. When he returned in 1933, he was again detailed as a member of the War Department General Staff, Washington, D.C., where he served until August 1937. Later he was assigned to command the Primary Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas. In October 1940, he was designated as a Wing Commander in the Air Corps. In December 1940, he was assigned to command the 4th Bombardment Wing, Westover Field, Chicopee Falls, Mass., and in July 1941 was assigned to the 2nd Air Force at Fort George Wright, Wash. In September 1941, he was made Commander of the 2nd Bomber Command at Fort George Wright.
In July 1942, he became the Commanding General of the 2nd Air Support Command, Colorado Springs, Colo. In November 1942, he was given an unannounced overseas assignment and later became Commanding General of the Newfoundland Base Command.
In October 1944, he was assigned to headquarters. Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C., and in February 1945 was given additional duty as a member of the Sub-Committee of the State War-Navy Coordinating Committee on Pacific and Far Eastern Areas at the same station. In June 1945, he assumed command of the Eleventh Air Force in Alaska, and in October 1945 was assigned to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C.
General Brooks' decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal.
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant June 7, 1916
Captain May 15, 1917
Major July 1, 1920
Lieutenant Colonel Aug. 1, 1935
Colonel (temporary) Jan. 1, 1939
Brigadier General (temporary) Oct. 24, 1940
Major General (temporary) March 11, 1943
(Up to date as of November 1945)