Cannon, John Kenneth, 1892-1955

Variant names

Hide Profile

U.S. Air Force General (4 stars); commander of Mediterranean Allied Tactical Forces, 1943-1945; Commander of Allied Air Forces in European and Mediterranean Theaters; Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Air Force Tactical Command, 1951-1954.

From the description of Papers, 1930-1954. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 154298343

John Kenneth Cannon was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1892 and graduated from Utah Agricultural College (now Utah State University) in 1914. He was a four Star General, of the U.S. Air Force; Commanding General of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Forces 1943-1945; Commander of Allied Air Forces in European and Mediterranean theatres, during World War Two; Strategist for "Operation Strangle"; Commander in Chief U.S. Air Force in Europe, 1945-1948; and Head of Air Force Tactical Command, 1951-1954. Cannon retired in April 1954 and died in Arcadia, California, on January 12, 1955.

From the description of John Kenneth Cannon photograph collection, 1918-1953 (bulk 1945-1953). (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 298333702

Four Star General, U.S. Air Force; Commanding General of Mediterranean Allied Tactical Forces 1943-1945; Commander of Allied Air Forces in European and Mediterranean theatres, W.W. II; Strategist for "Operation Strangle"; Commander in Chief U.S. Air Force in Europe, 1945-1948; Head of Air Force Tactical Command, 1951-1954.

From the description of Papers of General John Kenneth Cannon, 1930-1954. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 5773845

From the guide to the Papers of General John Kenneth Cannon, 1930-1954, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

John Kenneth Cannon (1892-1955) had an illustrious career in the United States Air Force eventually becoming a Four Star General. Cannon was born in Salt Lake City in 1892 and he graduated from the Utah Agricultural College in 1914. After serving in the infantry during WWII, he took up pilot training from 1921 to 1922. He served in the Air Corps in Hawaii, Michigan, Texas, and California. In 1938 Cannon went to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for three years as chief of the U.S. Military Mission. Cannon was promoted to brigadier general in February 1942 and in World War II went overseas as commanding general of the 12th Air Support Command during the invasion of French Morocco. Through March and April 1943 Cannon organized an air training command for the Mediterranean Theater and in May became deputy commanding general of the Allied Tactical Air Force for the Sicilian campaign and the invasion of Italy. He was promoted to major general in June and by December became commanding general of the 12th Air force and the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force, being responsible for all air operations for the invasion of southern Europe. The following March he was promoted to lieutenant general and named air commander in chief of all Allied Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theater and in May became commanding general of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

General Cannon returned to the U.S. in April 1946 as commanding general of Air Training Command at Barksdale Field, Louisiana. In October 1948 he returned to Europe as commanding general, U.S. Air Forces in Europe. In March 1950, he was designated Commander in Chief of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. He was promoted to full general in October 1951 and appointed commanding general of Tactical Air Command at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Cannon retired on April 1, 1954 and he died in Arcadia, California on January 12, 1955. Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico is named after him.

Information courtesy of Air Force Link Biographies, http://www.af.mil/bios/index.asp

From the guide to the John Kenneth Cannon Photograph Collection, 1918-1953, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf John Kenneth Cannon Photograph Collection, 1918-1953 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives.Photograph Collections
creatorOf Cannon, John Kenneth, 1892-1955. John Kenneth Cannon photograph collection, 1918-1953 (bulk 1945-1953). Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
creatorOf Cannon, John Kenneth, General, 1892-1955. Papers, 1930-1954. University of New Mexico, Los Alamos, UNM-Los Alamos Library
referencedIn David Goldin Collection. 1932 - 1952. Audio Recordings of Radio Broadcasts of Speeches, Interviews, Combat Reports, Special Events, Public Affairs, and Entertainment for U.S. Troops. 1932 - 1952. VICTORY STATEMENTS BY FIELD MARSHAL SIR ALEXANDER AND GENERALS MCNARNEY, CLARK, CANNON National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Cannon, John Kenneth, 1892-1955. Papers of General John Kenneth Cannon, 1930-1954. Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. IN MEMORIAM National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Papers of General John Kenneth Cannon, 1930-1954 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesManuscript Collection
referencedIn Bywater, Murray A. Biographical sketches of members of Utah Flyers Hall of Fame. Utah Division of State History, Utah Historical Society
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [JAN. 9] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. FILM CLIPS OF GEN HOYT S. VANDENBERG National Archives at College Park
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bywater, Murray A. person
correspondedWith Cannon, LaVon Bennion. person
associatedWith Cannon, LaVon Bennion. person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974. person
associatedWith United States. Air Force corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Anzio Beachhead, 1944
Germany
Langley Air Force Base (Va.)
Langley Air Force Base (Va.)
Subject
Air bases
Air power
Armed Forces
Armed Forces
Award presentations
Correspondence
Generals
Generals
Government, Law and Politics
Material Types
Military
Military decorations
Military decorations
Officers' spouses
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1892-03-02

Death 1955-01-12

English

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6fx7ct4

Ark ID: w6fx7ct4

SNAC ID: 2162692