Haddon, Julian B., 1894-1958.

Julian Haddon was born on Oct. 28, 1894, in Pleasant Hill (Mo.) and became an air pioneer during World War I. He received ground school training at the University of California and flying training at Kelly Field (Tex.) and Post Field (Ok.), where he earned his wings. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in aviation on March 7, 1918, and was a flying instructor for the remainder of World War I. In 1925 he was assigned to the Philippines as an instructor. He was promoted to first lieutenant and then stationed as an experimental test pilot at Wright Field (Ohio). He achieved some notoriety in 1929 after the publication of a New York World article which gave details of his near-fatal accident. The accident was caused when he passed out at an altitude of seven miles. He recovered consciousness in time to bail out of his burning plane at an altitude of 3000 feet and parachuted safely to the ground. He was not as lucky in a later accident that occurred in 1934 while he stationed at Maxwell Field (Ala.) During this crash near Clanton (Ala.) he lost an eye, effectively ending his flying career. It was also during this time that he married Carolyn Washburn Brame, who was from a prominent Montgomery (Ala.) family.

In 1941 Haddon became commander of Craig Field in Selma (Ala.), after being promoted to lieutenant colonel. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to colonel and then to brigadier general in September 1942. In March 1943 General Haddon became chief of the 14th Air Service Command, serving under Gen. Claire Chennault in the 14th Air Force in China. He set up the GBI training command in India and Burma under Gen. Stratemeyer and continued training pilots in the Asia-Pacific Theater until January 1945. For his World War II service he received the Legion of Merit and also the highly coveted Yun Hui, or "Cloud Banner" decoration from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek.

After the war Haddon returned to Maxwell Air Force Base (Ala.) and retired in 1952. He was the civilian director of the Air University library until he attempted suicide in 1954. After several years of failing health, he died in April 1958 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.