Aubrey Hornsby was born in Eclectic, Ala., on Jan. 8, 1895. He attended the University of Alabama and Southern University in Scotlandville, La. He enlisted and served as a private with the Quartermaster Corps from May 23, 1917, to Nov. 26, 1917. On Nov. 27, 1917, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery Reserve.
He was first assigned to duty with the 318th Field Artillery and entered the School for Aerial Observers, Fort Sill, Okla. In July 1918 he was transferred to Mount Clemens, Mich., where he enrolled in the School of Aerial Gunnery and graduated in August 1918. In September 1918 he sailed for France and enrolled in the School for Aerial Observers in Tours, France, where he remained until the following November when he was transferred to the Observers School in Chatillon-Sur-Seine, France.
In March 1918 he returned to Tours, France, where he stayed until May when he was assigned to the 25th Aerial Squadron for duty in Weissenthurm, Germany. In July 1919 he returned to the United States and reported to the Air Service Depot, Long Island, N.Y.
In September 1919 he was assigned to Camp Bragg, N.C., with the 19th Field Artillery. In November 1919 he went to Kelly Field, Texas. On July 1, 1920, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Service, Regular Army. In January 1921 he was transferred to March Filed, Calif., as a student officer with the Air Service Production Service. In May 1921 he was ordered to Kelly Field, Texas, as Squadron Commander in the 2nd Group (Bombardment). In November 1921 he was assigned to Langley Field, Va., for duty with the 11th Bombardment Squadron, 2nd Bombardment Group.
In July 1924 he was transferred to Maxwell Field, Ala., where he served as Post Engineering Officer. In June 1927 he was transferred to the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas. The following September he returned to March Field, Calif., for duty with the 54th School Squadron. He became an instructor of the Air Corps Primary Flying School in July 1928.
In June 1930 he went to Clark Field, Philippine Islands, as Commanding Officer, 3rd Pursuit Squadron. In August 1932 he returned to the United States and enrolled in the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Ala., graduating in June 1933. He was then assigned to Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., as Engineering Officer. In July 1937 he returned to Maxwell Field, Ala., as Post Engineering Officer. In August 1940 he became Commanding Officer of the Air Corps Basic Flying School at Gunter Field, Ala. In December 1942 he was transferred to the Army Air Base, Jackson, Miss., as Commanding Officer of the 30th Flying Training Wing, where he remained until February 1943 when he was named Commanding General of the 32nd Flying Training Wing at Perrin Field, Texas. In March 1945 he was announced as Commanding General of the Eastern Technical Training Command at St. Louis, Mo.
He is rated a command pilot and combat observer.
PROMOTIONS
First lieutenant, July 1, 1920; captain, Jan. 27, 1930; major (temporary), April 2, 1935; major (permanent), Dec. 1, 1938; lieutenant colonel (temporary), March 11, 1940; lieutenant colonel (permanent), April 4, 1941; colonel (temporary), Nov. 15, 1942; brigadier general (temporary), Feb. 4, 1943.
(Current as of March 19, 1945)