Theodore Ross Milton (1915 - 2010)

Born 29 Dec 1915 in Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Died 24 Aug 2010 at age 94 in Oro Valley, Pima, Arizona, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terry Poole [send private message]

Biography

Theodore Milton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United States).

Theodore Milton was awarded the Commanders of the Order of the British Empire.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

Theodore Milton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom).

Theodore Milton was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 (France).

Theodore Milton was awarded the Purple Heart.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Air Medal.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Theodore Milton was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.

Colonel Theodore Milton served in the United States Army Air Forces in World War II
Service started: 11 Jun 1940
Unit(s):
Service ended: 31 Jul 1974

Theodore was born 29 December 1915 at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He was the son of colonel Alexander M. Milton and Teresa M. McKenna.^[1].

Theodore joined the army as a private 1 July 1934. He became a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1935, graduating in June 1940. He joined the Army Air Corp and earned his wings in March 1941.

He married Grace Elizabeth Bailey in 1942.

In 1943 he was assigned to the 351st Bombardment Group as an operations officer. From 13 September 1943 to 23 October 1944 he was a Deputy Group Commander of the 91st Bombardment Group. On 24 October 1944 he became the commander of the 384th Bombardment Group where he served until the end of his tour of duty in June 1945.

He flew 35 missions from England during World War II

Military Rank Promotions during WWII era^[2]
Air Corp promotions, US Army promotions were usually later.

2nd Lieutenant of Infantry - 11 June 1940 upon graduation from West Point

1st Lieutenant - 10 October 1941

Captain - 1 March 1942

Major - 9 September 1942

Lt. Colonel - 23 August 1943

Colonel - 21 January 1945

World War II - 351st Bombardment Group Missions Led^[3]

25-Jun-1943 Nordenheim, Germany (Secondary)

28-Jun-1943 St. Nazaire, France

28-Jul-1943 Kassel. Germany

12-Aug-1943 Bochum, Germany (Secondary)

World War II - 91st Bombardment Group Missions Led
This list needs to be found, the one mission is based on his DSC citation

11 January 1944 Oschersleben, Germany

World War II - 384th Bombardment Group Missions Led^[4]

30 October 1944 Gelsenkirchen, Germany

8 November 1944 Merseburg, Germany

2 December 1944 Oberlahnstein, Germany

19 December 1944 Glaadt, Germany

3 January 1945 St Vith, Belgium

19 February 1945 Gelsenkirchen, Germany

10 March 1945 Schwerte, Germany

14 April 1945 Royan (Bordeaux), France

Post World War II Promotions

Brigadier General - October 1957

Major General -1 July 1961

Lt. General - February 1967

General - 1 August 1971

He retired from the US Air Force 31 July 1974 as a Four Star General. His last duty assignment was United States' representative on the NATO Military Committee at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

He passed away 24 August 2010 in Pima County, Arizona.

• Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #57949285 (accessed 29 July 2023)
  Memorial page for Gen Theodore Ross Milton Sr. (29 Dec 1915-24 Aug 2010), citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA (plot: Section 54, Site 6379); Maintained by Daryl & Barbara (Biggs) Mallett (contributor 46984947).
• 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
  citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 2035; Digital film/folder number: 004969102; FHL microfilm: 1822035; Record number: 5785; Sheet number: 20; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A
  FamilySearch Record: SP8K-W4K (accessed 30 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RFM-Z1W Image number 00242
  Rosa T Milton (4), single son, in household of Alexander M Milton (39) in Wahiawä, Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory, United States. Born in Hawaii.
• 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
  citing enumeration district (ED) ED 13, sheet 6A, line 37, family 149, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 702; FHL microfilm 2,340,437
  FamilySearch Record: X7Q9-B9G (accessed 30 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R4K-V3X Image number 00498
  Theodore R Milton (14), single son, in household of Alexander K Milton (51) in Fort Riley, Geary, Kansas, United States. Born in Hawaii.
• 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
  citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 9; Digital film/folder number: 005458680; Image number: 854; Sheet number: 10; Sheet letter: A
  FamilySearch Record: K3B6-DBK (accessed 30 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9MB-9LC1
  Theodore R Milton (24), single cadet, in household of Theodore R Milton (24) in Highlands, Orange, New York, United States. Born in Hawaii.
• 1950 Census: "United States 1950 Census"
  citing Page: 6; Line: 11; Digital film/folder number: 109019338; Image number: 7
  FamilySearch Record: 6FQ1-WR3M (accessed 30 July 2023)
  FamilySearch Image: 3QHN-GQHW-BJML
  Theodore R Milton (34), married, Armed Force, head of household in Washington, Washington County, District of Columbia, United States. Born in Hawaii.

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Theodore Ross Milton (ASN: 0-23307), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Co-Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber and Commanding Officer of the 91st Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over Germany on 11 January 1944. Although he was painfully wounded by cannon fire from a determined enemy's interception more than an hour before arriving at the target, Colonel Milton, refusing aid, directed his Combat Wing to the objective and continued to perform the duties of Co-Pilot of the badly damaged airplane. Upon the withdrawal he remained at his post of duty and led the large formation of aircraft to diversion airdromes, as necessitated by unforeseen adverse weather. He consented to relinquish his post only when all the planes of the formation had landed. The courage and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Milton on this occasion reflects the highest credit upon himself and the Military Forces of the United States.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: "U.S., Carded Birth Records in Military Hospitals, 1884-1916"
   Series Title: Carded Birth Records in Military Hospitals, 1884-1912; Series NAID: 655727; Record Group Number: 94; Record Group: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762-1984; Archive Name: The National Archives at Washington, D.C.; Archive Location: Washington, D.C
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62370 #7348 (accessed 30 July 2023)
   Theodore Ross Milton born on 29 Dec 1915, son of Alexander M. Milton & Teresa Marie Mc Kina, in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
2. ↑ U.S. Military Register: "U.S., Select Military Registers, 1862-1985"
   Original data: United States Military Registers, 1902-1985. Salem, Oregon: Oregon State Library
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2345 #1584861 (accessed 30 July 2023)
   Name: Theodore R Milton; Birth Date: 29 Dec 1915; Birth Place: Hawaii; Military Date: 21 Jan 1945; Publication Date: 1948; Title: U.S. Army and Air Force Register.
3. ↑ 351st Org - Missions
4. ↑ 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
5. ↑ Hall of Valor Project - Theodore Ross Milton

• THEODORE R. MILTON GIVEN ASSIGNMENT: "Newspapers.com"
  El Paso Herald-Post (El Paso, Texas) Mon, Jul 29, 1935, page 7
  Newspapers Clip: 129099832 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• Clark Gable Rides In Leading Bomber On Rhineland Raid: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Thu, Aug 12, 1943, page 1
  Newspapers Clip: 129129679 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• Maj. Milton Promoted: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Sun, Oct 10, 1943, page 43
  Newspapers Clip: 129105978 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• Col. Milton Receives Purple Heart After Oscherslesben Raid: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Sun, Mar 19, 1944, page 44
  Newspapers Clip: 129106425 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• ’Fort’ Survives Rough Trip: "Newspapers.com"
  Wichita Falls Times (Wichita Falls, Texas) Sun, May 14, 1944, page 6
  Newspapers Clip: 129156014 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• D. C. Area Promotions Include Colonel and 3 Lieutenant Colonels: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Sun, Feb 25, 1945, page 42
  Newspapers Clip: 129108601 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• Local Men Drop Bombs In Last Raid on Pilsen: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Sun, Jun 10, 1945, page 47
  Newspapers Clip: 129106844 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• Col. Milton Returns; Veteran Flyer Hopes For ‘Go At Tokyo’ : "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Wed, Jun 20, 1945, page 12
  Newspapers Clip: 129108897 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• German Reparations Paid Part of Airlift, Club Told: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Thu, May 10, 1951, page 14
  Newspapers Clip: 129130110 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• 8 Air Force Officers Awarded British Honors: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Thu, Apr 5, 1951, page 41
  Newspapers Clip: 129130331 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• 1951 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
  Evening Star (Washington, District of Columbia) Thu, May 10, 1951, page 14
  Newspapers Clip: 129130110 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• AF Reassigns 2 Commanders: "Newspapers.com"
  The Austin American (Austin, Texas) Thu, Apr 20, 1961, page 51
  Newspapers Clip: 129155189 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• Vt. Officer Parachutes But Pilot Loses Life: "Newspapers.com"
  Concord Monitor (Concord, New Hampshire) Mon, Jun 5, 1961, page 1
  Newspapers Clip: 129154955 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• Star Promotions: "Newspapers.com"
  The Wings (Hoopeston, Illinois) Thu, Jul 6, 1961, page 4
  Newspapers Clip: 129155336 (accessed 30 July 2023)
• Audit Chiefs Meet at Norton AFB: "Newspapers.com"
  The San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, California) Fri, Jul 28, 1967, page 17
  Newspapers Clip: 129100167 (accessed 29 July 2023)
• Military: "U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010"
  Original data: Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Page number: 1
  Ancestry Record 2441 #12104778 (accessed 30 July 2023)
  Gender: Male; Death Date: 24 Aug 2010; Discharge Date: 31 Jul 1974; Birth Date: 29 Dec 1915; Enlistment Branch: AF; Name: Theodore R Milton; Enlistment Date: 11 Jun 1940.
• USAF Biographies - GENERAL T.R. MILTON - (Current as of Aug. 1, 1972)
• Milton’s Climb, Air Force Magazine, October 2011, By Walter J. Boyne