Catton, Jack J. (Jack Joseph), 1920-1990

Jack J. Catton (b. 1920, Berkeley, Calif.-d. Dec. 5, 1990), U.S. Air Force officer, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps early in 1941. After serving as an instructor pilot and squadron commander in the U.S., he flew the first B-29 bomber across the Pacific in 1944. While with the 21st Bomber Command, General Catton received awards for extraordinary achievement during combat missions against Japan. Following the War, he took part in the first two atomic weapons tests in the Pacific. Surviving polio, this officer continued to serve in various positions until flying combat missions against North Korea in 1951 and 1952. When he assumed command of the 817th Air Division in 1959, he was the youngest brigadier general in the Air Force. His last assignment was as commander of the Air Force Logistics Command with headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He retired from Air Force service in August 1974.