Thomas Jefferson Du Bose was born in 1902 in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Central High School, Oklahoma City, in 1922 and attended the University of Oklahoma from 1923 until 1924. In 1925 he entered the U.S. Military Academy and graduated from West Point June 13, 1929.
In September 1929, Second Lieutenant Du Bose entered primary flying school at March Field, Calif. He later graduated from the Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas and was transferred to the Army Air Corps March 14, 1931. He served as flight instructor at Kelly Field until June 1931 when he joined the 3rd Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, Philippine Islands.
In 1934 First Lieutenant Du Bose returned to Kelly Field as a flight instructor. He was later promoted in June 1939 to captain. The next year Captain Du Bose became director of training at Moffett Field, Calf., and was promoted.
Major Du Bose assumed like responsibilities as director of training at Merced, Calif. in October 1941. While serving there he was elevated to the rank of lieutenant colonel and a year later he was appointed chief of Flying Training Section at Headquarters U.S. Army Air Forces with the rank of full colonel. Colonel Du Bose served as chief of the Air Crew Training Division from March to December 1943, when he was appointed deputy to the assistant chief of air staff for training.
Colonel Du Bose assumed command of the 316th Bomb Wing at Colorado Springs, Colo., in December 1944. The following July he took that wing to the Asiatic-Pacific theater of operations. In January 1946 he was named assistant chief of staff for plans of the Pacific Air Command at Manila, Philippine Islands.
In June 1946 Colonel Du Bose became deputy assistant chief of staff for operations of Strategic Air Command at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. From August to October 1946 he commanded the advance headquarters echelon of Strategic Air Command at Colorado Springs, Colo. He was then assigned to the 8th Air Force at Forth Worth, Texas with which he served successively as assistant chief of staff for personnel, chief of staff and deputy commander.
In February 1948 Colonel Du Bose was named deputy commander of Air Task Group 7.4, the Air Force part of Joint Task Force 7 which constructed a proving ground for the Atomic Energy Commission at Eniwetok and later assisted the Atomic Energy Commission in the conduct of the first series of tests of atomic weapons. In May 1948 after his return to the United States, he rejoined the 8th Air Force as chief of staff. Colonel Du Bose later entered the National War College in August 1948 and graduated in June 1949. Two months later Colonel Du Bose assumed command of the 1602nd Air Transport Wing at Wiesbaden, Germany.
On Aug. 13, 1952 Colonel Du Bose returned to the United States and assumed command of the Air Rescue Service at Washington, D.C. Four days later Aug. 17, 1952, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
General Du Bose, a rated command pilot since 1942, also is a rated combat observer and an aircraft observer.
INTERESTS
A former tennis and squash player, General Du Bose is an avid sports enthusiast. This enthusiasm is combined with his active photographic hobby. Among his many sports friends, Mr. Leo Durocher is perhaps the best known. They trace their friendship from 1945.
DECORATIONS AND MEDALS
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Legion of Merit
Asiastic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Japan)
Bronze Star
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (Germany)
National Defense Service Medal
European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
OPINIONS, TASTES AND EVALUATIONS
General Du Bose is an enthusiast for Mexican style foods, or as he put it "anything hot." He is an amateur cook, having learned the art when he became interested in cooking during his tour of duty in Texas.
His tastes in reading are historical novels or actual historical documents.
His personal philosophy of life, "live and let live," particularly will suits him as commander of a humanitarian organization that has as its motto "That Others May Live."
General Du Bose stresses loyalty and honesty - he emphasizes this and demands it of all who associate with him.
"Of all the generals I know, he is by far the fairest and most appreciative of your work." This was said by one of his staff officers recently about General Du Bose. A colonel on his staff also recently stated, "the general tells you what he wants and then let's you do it without interference."
CIVIC AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES
Member, Military Order, World War Member, American legion Post I, Paris, France.