Brig. Gen. Milton Wylie Arnold was born May 23, 1907, in Hogansville, Ga. He was appointed Cadet, U.S. Military Academy, on July 1, 1927, graduating in 1931 with appointment as a second lieutenant, Cavalry, Regular Army.
1. June 1931 - October 1932, student, Air Corps Primary Flying School, Randolph Field, Texas, and Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas
2. October 1932 - December 1932, Assistant Engineering Officer, 43rd School Squadron, Kelly Field, Texas
3. December 1932 - March 1935, Post Engineering Office and Inspector, Mess Officer and later Assistant Athletic Officer, 7th Pursuit Squadron, Barksdale Field, La.
4. March 1935 - June 1936, Engineering and Athletic Officer, later, Flight Commander, 90th Attack Squadron, Barksdale Field, La.
5. June 1936 - June 1937, student, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
6. June 1937 - February 1941, Assistant, later, Post Weather Officer, Kelly Field, Texas
7. February 1941 - August 1941, student, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
8. August 1941 - January 1942, Operations Officer and Technical Director, Air Corps Weather Research Center, Bolling Field, D.C.
9. January 1942 - March 1943, Weather Officer and Assistant A-3, Headquarters Air Transport Command, Washington, D.C.
10. March 1943 - September 1943, Executive Office, North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command, Presque Isle Army Air Field, Maine
11. September 1943 - March 1944, Chief of Staff, 2nd Combat Wing, later, Commanding Officer, 389th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force
12. March 1944 - July 1945, Assistant Chief of Staff A-3, 2nd Bombardment Division, later, Commanding Officer, 2nd Combat Wing, European Theater of Operations
13. July 1945 - April 1946, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, later, acting Chief of Staff, Air Transport Command, Washington, D.C.
His awards include the Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as Air Commander of a division of B-24 airplanes on a bombardment mission over Germany, April 9, 1944; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters for extraordinary achievement while serving as command pilot of heavy bombardment formations on many missions to enemy occupied territory from Nov. 5, 1943 to Feb. 21, 1944. His skillful leadership and sound judgment in guiding his formations to heavily defended targets requiring deep penetrations were major factors in the successful destruction of these vital enemy installations; Bronze Star Medal; Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and six bronze battle stars for participating in the Air Offensive, Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and central Europe campaigns; Distinguished Flying Cross, British; and Croix de guerre with Palm, Belgian.
He is rated a command pilot and technical observer.
PROMOTIONS
Transferred to the Air Corps Jan. 25, 1933, with rank from June 11,1931; first lieutenant (temporary), April 20, 1935; first lieutenant (permanent), Aug. 1, 1935; captain (Air Corps), Army of the United States, Oct. 1, 1940; captain (permanent), June 11, 1941; major (temporary), July 22, 1941; lieutenant colonel (temporary), Jan. 23, 1942; colonel (temporary), Jan. 1, 1944; brigadier general (temporary), June 28, 1945. He retired in 1946 in his permanent rank of captain. He was then advanced to brigadier general on the retired list July 1, 1948.