BRIGADIER GENERAL ISAAC WILLIAM OTT

SERVICE
Isaac William Ott was born in Osyka, Mississippi, on April 6, 1903. He attended Louisiana State University and was graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He enlisted as a Flying Cadet on August 29, 1927, and was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Air Reserve on June 23, 1928. He was ordered to extended active duty on July 1, 1928, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Air Corps, Regular Army, on May 2, 1929.

He was graduated from the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas, and from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Observation Course, Kelly Field, Texas, in 1928. He then proceeded to Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Alabama, where he joined the 22nd Observation Squadron in June 1928. He subsequently became Squadron Supply Officer of that organization serving until September 1930, when he was ordered to Chanute Field, Illinois. He was graduated from the Air Corps Technical School, Maintenance Engineering Course, in June 1931, when he proceeded to Brooks Field, Texas, where he rejoined the 22nd Observation Squadron as Engineering Officer.

From October 1931 until April 1932, he served as Squadron Engineering Officer, 62nd Service Squadron, at Brooks Field, and then assumed command of that squadron until June 1932. He again became Squadron Engineering Officer of the 62nd Service Squadron until May 1935, when he was ordered to the Panama Canal Zone as Assistant Engineering Officer and Engineering Officer, successively, 7th Observation Squadron, at France Field. He later assumed the additional duty of Squadron Operations and Intelligence Officer, 7th Observation Squadron.

Returning to the United States, he proceeded to Middletown Air Depot, Middletown, Pennsylvania, as Assistant to the Engineering Officer, from July 1937 until May 1939, when he was assigned to the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Upon graduation in August 1939, he returned to the Middletown Air Depot, Middletown, Pennsylvania, where he resumed his duties as Assistant to the Engineering Officer. He transferred to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, in October 1939, for service with the Field Service Section, Air Corps Material Division. He subsequently became Assistant Adjutant, 10th Transport Group, at that post, in addition to his other duties. In May 1941 he was designated Chief Engineering Officer and Station Engineering Officer, San Antonio Air Depot, Duncan Field, Texas.

In January 1943 he became Chief of the Maintenance Division, Kelly Field, Texas, and the following June was named Deputy Commander, 401st Air Depot, in the European Theater of Operations. He assumed command of the 1st Base Air Depot, European Theater of Operations, the following July, and served until October 1943 when he became Deputy Commander of the VIII Air Force Service Command. In December 1943 he became Air Depot Area Commander, VIII Air Force Service Command, in the European Theater of Operations.

In April 1944 he was announced as Commanding General, Air Service Command, United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe, and Commanding General of the Base Air Depot Area, England.

In September 1944 he was named Commanding General, Continental Air Depot Area, Headquarters, Ninth Base Air Depot Area, England. In July 1945, having returned to the United States, he was assigned to Headquarters, Air Technical Service Command, Wright Field, Ohio, as Chief of the Maintenance Division.

In April 1946 he was ordered home to await retirement. He retired on August 31, 1946.

He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer and Aircraft Observer.

PROMOTIONS
Flying Cadet, Air Corps, August 29, 1927, to June 30, 1928; Second Lieutenant, Air Reserve, June 23, 1928; Second Lieutenant, Air Corps, May 2, 1929; First Lieutenant, October 1, 1934; Captain, May 2, 1939; Major (temporary), March 15, 1941; Major, A.U.S., October 10, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S. (Air Corps), March 1, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., September 9, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., March 2, 1944; retired, disability in line of duty, with rank of Brigadier General, August 31, 1946.

DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, French Croix de Guerre with Palm.