Washbourne, Lee B. (Lee Bird), 1906-1970

Lee Bird Washbourne (b. 1906, Jay, Okla.-d. Aug. 1, 1970), U.S. Air Force officer, graduated from West Point in 1927 with a commission in the Corps of Engineers. He then earned a university degree in civil engineering. During the 1930s he served with the 3rd Engineers in Hawaii and as assistant professor of military science and tactics. In 1942 he went to Panama for duty as engineer staff officer, 6th Air Force Service Command, and in 1944 assumed command of the 933rd Engineer Aviation Regiment. Following the War he was named deputy commander, 5223rd Engineer Construction Brigade on Okinawa, and engineer of the Okinawa Base Command and Engineer District. Transferring to the Air Force in 1948, General Washbourne became air installation officer for Strategic Air Command and, later, chief of its Air Installations Section. In 1957 he assumed duty as deputy chief of staff, Installations, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, with station in Germany.