Estes, Howell M. (Howell Marion), 1914-

Howell Marion Estes, Jr. (b. 1914, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.-d. July 2, 2007), General in the U.S. Air Force, graduated from West Point in 1936 and completed pilot training in 1940. During World War II, he was director of training at the Brooks Field Advanced Flying School and commanded two Army Air Bases in Texas. At the end of the War, he became chief of the Plans and Policy Branch, Operations Division, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and later assistant chief of staff for plans. During the Korean War, he was vice commander, Far East Air Forces Bomber Command, and flew 25 combat missions in B-29s. This highly-decorated officer became commander of the Military Airlift Command in 1964 and retired in 1969.