Garland, William C. (William Carroll), 1916-

William Carroll Garland (1916-2004) was born in Barnesville, Georgia, and attended local schools and Gordon Military Junior College before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in 1942, and entered pilot training at Greenville Aviation School in Ocala, Florida. He earned his pilots wings in March, 1943, and completed B-17 transition training in April, 1943. During World War II, he was assigned to the 401st Bombardment Group in England, and saw action flying B-17 combat missions. In June, 1945, he returned to the U.S. and was appointed Commander of the Davis-Monthan West Camp at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. For nine years, he served in command roles in bases around the U.S., including Colorado Springs, Colorado (Headquarters, Second Air Force), Smokey Hill AFB, Kansas (32nd Bomb Squadron), and Offutt AFB, Nebraska. In 1950, he graduated from the Air Command and Staff School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Garland was assigned to the Plans Section of the Joint U.S. Military Group in Madrid, Spain in April, 1954, and later served as Chief of Staff of that group. He also served as Chief of Staff of the 16th Air Force while in Spain. In May, 1957, he again returned to the U.S. and was assigned the Deputy Commander role of the 91st Strategic Wing, and later of the 376th Bombardment Wing at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio. In August, 1958, he became Commander of the 97th Bombardment Wing at Biggs AFB, Texas, and later served as Commander of the 98th Bombardment Wing at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska. In 1961, Garland attended the National War College in Washington, D.C., and simultaneously received his Master's Degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University. The remainder of his career was spent serving in additional command roles at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, Vandenberg AFB, California, and with the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force as Director of Information. General Garland's career decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and Army Commendation Medal. He retired from active duty on August 1, 1972, and died January 4, 2004.