Frank Dennis Hackett was born at Brainerd, Minnesota, on August 11, 1889. He served as a private, sergeant, first sergeant in the Cavalry of the National Guard of Illinois, and as a first lieutenant of Cavalry in the same organization from February 22, 1912, to March 18, 1914. On November 27, 1917, he was appointed a first lieutenant in the Officers’ Reserve Corps of the Army, and on July 1, 1920, was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Air Service of the Regular Army.
SERVICE
He first became a student at the United States School of Military Aeronautics at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and later studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts. In March 1918 he was assigned to Call Field, Texas, as Assistant Engineer Officer, later serving as Post Engineer and Squadron Officer with the 91st Aero Squadron at Mather Field and Crissy Field, Presidio of San Francisco, California. In April 1922 he left the United States for duty in the Philippine Islands, and during the two years he spent at that station he served as Transportation and Engineer Officer of the 3rd Pursuit Squadron at Clark Field, Pampanga, and as Mess Officer of the 28th Bombardment Squadron at Camp Nichols, Rizal.
In September 1924 he returned to Crissy Field, California, as Flight Commander, Post Ordnance and Armament Officer with the 91st Observation Squadron, and later became Chemical Warfare Engineer and Utilities Officer with the same squadron. In October 1928 he was enrolled as a student at the Air Corps Technical School, Chanute Field, Illinois, and upon completion of the Armament Course was assigned to Langley Field, Virginia, where he served as Squadron Commander of the 59th Service Squadron.
In February 1930 he assumed command of the 20th Bombardment Squadron at Langley Field, and in July 1931 was ordered to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, to become a student at the Air Corps Engineer School. Upon completion of the course he remained at that station as Chief of the Aircraft and Engine Maintenance and Supply Branch, Field Service Section, and in August 1936 became a student at the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama, completing the course in September 1936.
He was next assigned to March Field, California, as Post Engineering Officer and Parachute and Reclamation Officer, assumed command of the 4th Air Base Group in January 1941. Two months later he accompanied the 4th Air Base Group to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and served in that capacity until the following October. He then assumed command of the Air Base and became Commandant of the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kirtland Field, New Mexico, until September 1943 when he went overseas as Commanding Officer (later, Commanding General) of the Bengal Air Depot, Calcutta, India.
He returned to the United States two years later and in December 1945 became Commanding General of the Spokane Air Technical Service Command, Fairchild Field, Washington. In August 1947 he assumed command of the Ogden Air Material Area, Hill AFB, Utah, holding that position until June 1948 when he left for McClellan AFB, California.
He retired in the grade of Brigadier General on September 30, 1948.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
First Lieutenant, Cavalry, Illinois National Guard, February 22, 1912, to March 18, 1914. First Lieutenant, Aviation Section Signal Officers’ Reserve Corps, November 27, 1917; First Lieutenant, Air Service, October 1, 1920; Captain, February 11, 1929; Major (temporary), March 2, 1935, to June 16, 1936; Major (temporary), June 16, 1936, to July 1, 1938; Major, July 1, 1938; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), March 1, 1940; Lieutenant Colonel, November 29, 1940; Colonel (temporary), September 18, 1941; Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., January 8, 1945; terminated Brigadier General, A.U.S., March 5, 1946, reverting to the grade of Colonel, A.U.S.; retired in the grade of Brigadier General, September 30, 1948.
DECORATIONS
Legion of Merit, Army Commendation Ribbon, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Nationalist Chinese Air Force Pilot Badge, Royal Yugoslav Air Force Pilot Badge.