Nathan B. Forrest III was born in Memphis, Tenn., in April 1905. He attended Georgia Institute of Technology from 1924 to 1934, and was commissioned in the Cavalry from West Point in 1928. He transferred to the Air Corps in 1929. He graduated from Air Corps Technical School in April 1931 and was assigned to the 78th Pursuit Squadron, Panama Canal Zone, from April 1931 to November 1934, and the 17th Attack Group from July 1936 to September 1939.
General Forrest graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in December 1939 with duty to the 17th Bombardment Group from December 1939 to February 1941. He was executive officer of the 5th Bombardment Wing from February 1941 to January 1942, then 2nd Bomber Command from January to February 1942. From February to June 1942 he served as plans and training officer with 11th Air Force, and chief of staff of 2nd Air Force from June 1942 to May
1943.
He was promoted to brigadier general in November 1942 and assigned to the 8th Air Force, London, in May 1943. He was reported missing on B-17 raid over the submarine yards of Kiel, Germany, on June 13, 1943, and was officially listed as killed in action one year later. His body was found Sept. 23, 1943, when it was washed ashore at the Seaplane Base at Bug, Reugen Island, Germany. He was buried on Sept. 28, 1943 in a cemetery near Wiek, Germany. Six years later, the general was reburied in Arlington National Cemetery.
He was promoted to first lieutenant, Feb. 4, 1934; captain, June 16, 1938; major, Jan. 31, 1941; lieutenant colonel, Jan. 5, 1942; colonel, March 1, 1942; and brigadier general, Nov. 2, 1942.
His decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.
(Biography compiled from information in the Biographical Dictionary of World War II Generals and Flag Officers by R. Manning Ancell with Christine M. Miller, USAF Historical Study No. 91: Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers 1917 to 1952; and http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/forrest.htm.)