Brig. Gen. Edwin Sanders Perrin was born at Custer, South Dakota, on October 15, 1905. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, with a Bachelor of Science degree, and was commissioned a second lieutenant, Coast Artillery Corps, on June 12, 1930.
SERVICE
Following graduation from the United States Military Academy, he was assigned to the Air Corps Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas. He was graduated in June 1931, and then transferred to Kelly Field, Texas, where he was graduated from the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in October 1931. He next proceeded to Mather Field, California, as Engineering Officer, 77th Pursuit Squadron.
In October 1932 he proceeded to March Field, Riverside, California, as Squadron Engineering Officer, 34th Pursuit Squadron, until May 1933, when he was assigned to Civilian Conservation Corps Duty at March Field. From February to May 1934, he served as Route Engineering Officer, Army Air Mail Operations, Burbank, California, and resumed his duties as Squadron Engineering Officer, 34th Pursuit Squadron at March Field, California. He was designated Group Engineering Officer, 17th Attack Group, at that same field in November 1934, and served in this capacity until July 1935 when he went to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, to attend the Air Corps Engineering School. He completed the course in general aeronautical engineering and was graduated in July 1936.
He then was transferred to Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a student officer at the University of Michigan. He received the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in June 1937, when he returned to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, for duty in the Engineering Section, Air Corps Material Division. From May 1939 to April 1940, he served with the Field Service Section, Air Corps Material Division, Wright Field, where he subsequently became a Unit Chief. His next assignment was to Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he was graduated from the Air Corps Tactical School in June 1940. He again returned to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, to resume his former duties as a Unit Chief, Field Service Section, Air Corps Material Division.
He went to Cairo, Egypt, as Military Air Observer in the Middle East, Office of the Military Attaché, in January 1941, and subsequently became, additionally Assistant Military Air Attaché, for Air at Cairo, Egypt. He returned to the United States in September 1942, after serving in Java and Australia, and proceeded to Sacramento, California, where he became Commanding General, IV Air Service Area Command (redesignated the Sacramento Air Service Command), the following month. In June 1943 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Headquarters Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C.
On July 15, 1944, he reverted to his permanent rank of captain and, on May 7, 1945, was promoted to major, A.U.S.
Major Perrin died at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, on November 17, 1946.
He was rated a Senior Pilot, Aircraft Observer, and Technical Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Cadet, U.S. Military Academy, July 1, 1926; Second Lieutenant, Coast Artillery Corps, June 12, 1930; Air Corps, September 12, 1930; transferred to Air Corps, December 22, 1931; Captain (temporary), April 20, 1935, to June 4, 1935; First Lieutenant, August 1, 1935; Captain, June 12, 1940; Major (temporary), July 15, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., September 10, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942, to July 15, 1944; Colonel, A.U.S., January 24, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., June 18, 1942; terminated Brigadier General, A.U.S., July 15, 1944; Major, A.U.S., May 7, 1945.