Paul Edmund Burrows was born on August 13, 1895, in Washington, D.C. He enlisted as a Flying Cadet on November 30, 1917, and was commissioned a second lieutenant (temporary), Air Service, on July 3, 1918. He served continuously on active duty until July 1, 1920, when he was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Service, in the Regular Army.
SERVICE
He became a Flying Cadet at the Princeton School of Military Aeronautics, Princeton, New Jersey, in December 1917 and was graduated in March 1918. He was then assigned to Scott Field, Belleville, Illinois, in April 1918, and completed his flying training there in July 1918. He proceeded to Ellington Field, Texas, where he received advanced training in bombardiering from September 1918 to January 1919. Upon completion of his training, he remained at Ellington Field, Texas, until January 1920 when he was assigned to Kelly Field, Texas, for duty with the 5th Provisional Air Park Group. He remained at Kelly Field, Texas, serving in various post staff capacities until July 1922, when he went to Langley Field, Virginia, and joined the 2nd Bombardment Group.
He enrolled in the Air Corps Tactical School at Langley Field, Virginia, in October 1923 and following graduation in June 1924 was assigned to Middletown Air Intermediate Depot, Middletown, Pennsylvania. He was transferred to Camp Nichols, Rizal, Philippine Islands, in May 1926, where he joined the 28th Bombardment Squadron, and became Group and Post Operations Officer in May 1927. Returning to the United States in July 1929 he became Adjutant, 7th Bombardment Group, Rockwell Field, California. In November 1931 he was designated Civilian Procurement Officer at March Field, California.
In July 1933 he was named Unit Instructor, 321st Observation Squadron, Organized Reserves, Pearson Field, Vancouver Barracks, Washington.
He was assigned to the office of the Chief of Air Corps, Washington, D.C., and became Chief of the Reserve Division in July 1940. In July 1941 he was appointed Air Corps Ferrying Command Liaison Officer on the staff of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command at Montreal, Canada. In January 1942 he was assigned to duty at Morrison Field, Florida, as Commanding Officer of the South Atlantic Sector, Air Corps Ferrying Command. In July 1942 he was named Commanding Officer of the Caribbean Wing, Air Transport Command, at Morrison Field, Florida. He was given an unannounced overseas assignment in the European Theater of Operations in January 1943.
In February 1943 he was named Commanding General of the European Wing, Air Transport Command, European Theater of Operations, and in March 1944 he was assigned to Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, D.C. Two months later, in May 1944, he became Commanding General, Domestic Transportation Division, Air Transport Command, with station in New York City. He was transferred to Adak, Alaska later in 1944 where he served as the Deputy Commander for Administration and Material of the Eleventh Air Force. Returning to the United States in December 1945, he was placed on sick leave at the convalescent hospital at Santa Ana Army Air Base, California. In 1946 was appointed Deputy for Operations, Headquarters Army Air Forces Technical Base, Dayton, Ohio.
In June 1947 he took command of the Rome Air Material Area, New York, later renamed Griffiss Air Force Base, which position he held until his retirement from the Air Force on August 31, 1951.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Technical Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Private, Signal Enlisted Reserve Corps, November 30, 1917, to July 2, 1918; Second Lieutenant, Air Service U.S.A., July 3, 1918; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, July 1, 1920; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1920; Captain, November 1, 1933; Major (temporary), August 26, 1936, to June 25, 1940; Major, June 25, 1940; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), March 15, 1941; Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, October 28, 1942; Brigadier General, A.U.S., September 17, 1943; terminated Brigadier General, A.U.S., January 31, 1946; Colonel, A.U.S., February 1, 1942; Colonel, April 2, 1948; retired with rank of Brigadier General, August 31, 1951.
DECORATIONS
World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Service Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
In October 1942 he was awarded the Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) with the following citation, submitted by Air Chief Marshall Sir Frederick W. Bowhill, Royal Air Force:
“Colonel Burrows has been Liaison Officer of the United States Air Corps Ferrying Command (attached to this [Royal Air Force Ferry] Command) since August 1, 1941. His duties were to assure that all American aircraft to be ferried over to the United Kingdom were handed to me in a most expedient manner and fully equipped, except for certain items, for the Atlantic flight. He carried out this work in an outstanding manner. Colonel Burrows has always been of the greatest use to me in keeping excellent relations with everybody concerned both up here and down in the United States. His most excellent powers of command, charming personality and great tact has ensured the smooth running of things without the slightest sign of friction anywhere—a very great achievement. I cannot speak too highly of him—very strongly recommended.”