LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOHN HIETT IVES

John Hiett Ives was born in Delphi, Ind., in 1906. He graduated from Delphi High School and entered the University of Illinois in 1923. In December of the year he graduated from the University of Illinois - 1928, he enlisted as a private in the Indiana National Guard and the following February received an appointment as a flying cadet in the Army Air Forces. After a year's training, including primary and advanced flying schools, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Reserve.

Second Lieutenant Ives' first assignment was assistant armament officer with the 96th Bomb Squadron at Langley Field, Va. Here he also served in other positions of increasing responsibility until he transferred in July 1931 to Chanute Field, Ill. In July 1936, Lieutenant Ives became a flying instructor at Kelly Field, Texas, where he remained until September 1941, when as a major he was transferred to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C. Here he served in various capacities with the Directorate of Military Personnel, was promoted to the grades of lieutenant colonel and colonel, and was awarded the Legion of Merit.

In December 1944, Colonel Ives transferred to the Headquarters of the Strategic Air Force in the Pacific Ocean Area where he served as deputy chief of staff, and later as chief of staff.

Shortly after the end of the war in the Pacific, Colonel Ives was transferred back to Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, from where he entered the National War College. Immediately after graduating in June 1947, Colonel Ives became deputy secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Secretary of Defense. In September 1950, he became chief of staff, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and later, while at the same station became director of administration, Air University and was promoted on Feb. 8, 1952 to the grade of brigadier general.

In March 1952, the general was transferred back to Washington where he first served as deputy director, Military Personnel Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and later as director, Military Personnel Policy Division, Office of the Secretary of Defense. In June 1956, General Ives assumed the position of chief of staff, Headquarters Continental Air Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, N.Y., and was promoted to the grade of major general Aug. 5, 1957. On Nov. 1, 1957, he assumed command of the First Air Force, also at Mitchel Air Force Base, and remained in this capacity until the inactivation of the First Air Force in June 1958. At that time General Ives was reassigned to his present position, that of deputy commander of the Third Air Force in the United Kingdom.

General Ives is rated a command pilot and has more than 29 years' flying experience. In addition to the awards cited previously, he has been awarded the Bronze Star Madal and is authorized to wear battle stars for participation in the Asiatic-Pacific, the Air Offensive against Japan and the Central Pacific campaigns.

(Interests)

No particu1ar hobby, is an enthusiastic golfer with a very good short game who averages in the low nineties.

Very civic minded, always, willing to give unstintedly of his time and efforts to insure the success of civic enterprises.

(Opinions, Tastes and Evaluations)

Prefers American cooking with a leaning toward New England clam chowder and steaks. A modest tasteful dresser who prefers tweeds and gray flannels.

His tastes in shows are musical comedy and light drama; he prefers modern reading, thinks the U.S. is the most beautiful country of all, and has a particular soft spot in his heart for San Antonio, Texas.

The general's philosophy of life is to think the best of everyone, place loyalty to friends high upon your list, and to abide by what you know to be right in your own heart.

General Ives emphasizes the fact that there are two sides to every question; that we must not make hasty decisions and demands above all else the truth and honest expressions of opinion.

Outstanding characteristics are his complete honesty, his concern for the feelings of others, his intense desire to live by a self-established high moral code, his fairness, patience and unassumed humility.

All friends consider General Ives as a friend indeed and one who is always ready to come to their aid. Remarks such as: "He doesn't know pretense", "A gentleman at all times", "The most thoughtful person I have ever known", are made of him frequently.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is the best way to sum up the philosophy of John Hiett Ives.

A man of many facets, each reflecting the human kindness of love of brother and a keen analysis of human nature.