Broadhurst, E. B. (Edwin Borden), 1915-1965

Edwin B. Broadhurst (1915-1965) was born in Smithfield North Carolina. He attended Smithfield High School and The Citadel College in Charleston, S.C. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in June 1937. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, with the Field Artillery. In February 1938 he transferred to the Air Corps and entered pilot training at Kelly Field, Texas, receiving his pilot's wings in February 1939. He was then attached to the 19th Bomb Group at the outbreak of World War II. In 1941 he accompanied the l9th Bomb Group into the Pacific Theater of Operations and served in the Philippines, Java, Australia and New Guinea, flying 20 combat missions against the Japanese in B-17 bombers. Early in 1942 he became plans officer at Allied Headquarters in the Southwest Pacific - a post he held until his return to the United States in September of that year. During the post-war years Broadhurst's assignments included duty with the General Staff, Washington, in the Operations Division, and service as assistant executive officer in the Office of the assistant secretary of war. In 1947, he became chief of the U.S. Military mission in Chile. Broadhurst returned to the U.S. in late 1950 and was assigned as chief of plans at Strategic Air Command Headquarters until September 1953 when he was appointed commander of the Fifth Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California. In January 1955, Broadhurst took command of the 57th Air Division at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. He was again assigned to Headquarters SAC in 1956 as inspector general, and in December 1957 became chief of staff. He became commander of the 7th Air Division in England Aug. 1, 1961, and assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force Oct. 8, 1962. Broadhurst has more than 5,300 flying hours and is rated a command pilot, bombardier and navigator. His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and the Purple Heart.