Edwin Lee Tucker was born in Charlotte, N.C., in 1905. He graduated from high school in Laurinburg, N.C., and attended North Carolina State College for three years.
Appointed a flying cadet in February 1928, General Tucker graduated from Primary and Advanced Flying School on Feb. 28, 1929, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Reserve. Receiving his Regular commission as a second lieutenant of Air Corps May 2, 1929, he was assigned with the Second Bomb Group at Langley Field, Va. From 1930 to 1936 he served as a flying instructor at Brooks and Kelly Fields in Texas, and then rejoined the Second Bomb Group at Langley Field.
Moving to MacDill Field, Fla., in February 1940, General Tucker assumed command of the Sixth Bomb Squadron. Joining the Third Bomber Command there in December 1941 as assistant chief of staff for operations, the following March he was named executive officer, became supervisor of training for the Third Bomber Command in June 1942, resumed duties as executive officer that August, and in July 1944 was named chief of staff. Entering the Army Navy Staff College in November 1944, he graduated the following March.
Going to Oahu, Hawaii, the general was chief of staff of the Army Garrison Forces, becoming deputy commander for administration of the forces in the Pacific Ocean Area in June 1945, and chief of staff the following month. After being hospitalized from January to July 1946, General Tucker was named supply officer at MacDill Field, Fla., becoming executive that October. From January to March 1947, he was president of the AAF Reviewing Board at Fort Sheridan, Ill., and then assumed command of the 65th Combat Fighter Wing at Grenier Field, N.H., and commander of the 82nd Fighter Wing there in August 1947.
Transferred to the Far East Air Forces in February 1948, he was assistant chief of staff for operations of the Fifth Air Force at Nagoya, Japan. During June and July 1950, he was acting vice commander of the Fifth Air Force, FEAF, and then he was appointed deputy vice commander of the Rear Echelon, Fifth Air Force.
Joining the Air Defense Command in August 1950, General Tucker was deputy for operations of the Eastern Air Defense Force, ADC, at Stewart Air Force Base, N.Y. The following December he assumed command of the 30th Air Division, ADC, at Selfridge AFB, Mich. He was designated deputy commander of the Western Air Defense Force, ADC, at Hamilton AFB, Calif., in June 1955.
His decorations include the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. He is a rated command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer.
(Up to date as of August 1955)