Frederick J. Dau was born near Fresno, Calif., in 1907, and graduated from high school there in 1923. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers June 9, 1928. His first assignment was with the 14th Engineers (Philippine Scouts) where for two years he performed normal combat engineer duty and for one year directed the Military Survey of Luzon, mapping a portion of Tayabas Province with a combination of aerial photographic and ground survey methods.
In August 1931 he entered the University of California and the following June received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. After a few months with the 13th Engineers at Fort Humphreys, Va., he attended the engineer school there, graduating in June 1933. He was then assigned to Civilian Conservation Corps duty for five months at Camp Ritchie and Little Orleans, Md., to the Public Works Administration as an expediter for seven months at Washington, D.C., and as a company commander at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. In August 1934 he became assistant professor of military science and tactics at Michigan College of Mining and Technology, Houghton, Mich., where he remained for three years.
In July 1937 General Dau joined the Aerial Mapping Unit at Wright Field, Ohio. During his four years there, extensive development was undertaken on high altitude wide-angle aerial photography and related stereoscopic mapping equipment. Flight testing of the Metrogon Lens and related laboratory development during this period was the background for extensive mapping during World War II.
In July 1941 General Dan was assigned to the Engineer Board at Fort Belvoir, Va., maintaining supervision of aerial mapping development at Wright Field and also assuming directing of demolitions, camouflage, traffic control and mapping development at Fort Belvoir. In April 1943 he became deputy chief of the Intelligence Branch in the Office of the Chief of Engineers, Washington, D.C., and performed temporary duty in the United Kingdom and North Africa, coordinating Zone of Interior and theater mapping efforts for the two invasion efforts.
General Dau was named chairman of the War Department Mapping Committee in January 1944 and assigned to the Military Intelligence Division, War Department General Staff. He headed a joint service group charged by the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the problem of photography and mapping Japan and approaches thereto. In April 1945 he entered the Army and Navy Staff College, graduating in August 1945 at Washington, D.C., and proceeding thereafter to duty with the U.S. Forces in the China theater. He served successively as assistant chief of staff for personnel and secretary general staff, China theater, executive officer and deputy commander, China Service Command, and assistant military attach to China. During this period, May 5, 1948, General Dau transferred to the Air Force.
Returning to the U.S. in October 1948, General Dan served as deputy chief, Air Intelligence Requirements Division of U.S. Air Force headquarters in Washington until in March 1949 when he was appointed director of programs at Standards and Cost Control, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Comptroller. He became assistant for plans and policy in that office in July 1951 and the following February was redesignated assistant comptroller for plans and international affairs.
In August 1952 he was appointed assistant for materiel program coordination to the commander, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and in November he became deputy director of supply and services in the same command. He was named director of supply and services on May 18, l954.
He has been awarded the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with one cluster.
On Sept. 27, 1958 General Dau received the Air Force Association 1958 Distinguished Management Award for the most outstanding management performance for the year within the Air Materiel Command.
INTERESTS
General Dau is interested in golf and bowling. His hobby is gardening, but he hopes some day to add art. He is a member of the Army-Navy Country Club, the Moraine (honorary), and Wright-Patterson.