Darrow, Don O. (Don Orville), 1908-1988

Don O. Darrow (b. 1908, Tacoma, Wash.-d. Nov. 20, 1988), U.S. Air Force officer, was a college graduate who finished flying school in 1933. His early assignments were as pursuit pilot and squadron communications officer, flying early fighter aircraft such as the P-12 and P-26. In 1940 he flew America's first heavy bomber, YB-17, with the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. Early in World War II he served as director of operations for Fourth Air Force, and in 1944 became deputy director of the Air Evaluation Board for the Southwest Pacific, serving in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. In this position he evaluated the effectiveness of air warfare in the region, aiding in the development of air tactics and strategy. Following the War, General Darrow served with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Air Force Headquarters, attended the National War College, and acted as adviser to the Air Force delegate of the U.N. Armistice Delegation as the Korean Armistice negotiations began. Later, after three years with the NATO command and other assignments with the Tactical Air Command, he commanded the Ninth Air Force and was chief of staff, Tactical Air Command. This decorated officer retired in August 1969.