A native of Clearwater, Florida, Reade Franklin Tilley grew up with a love of driving race cars. After attending the University of Texas, Reade was faced with the choice of continuing his racing career or becoming a fighter pilot. With war raging in Europe, Reade opted for the latter and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RAF) in 1940. In 1941 he was assigned to the 121st Eagle Squadron of the RAF and quickly volunteered for a mission flying Spitfires from the USS Wasp to relieve the forces on the besieged Island of Malta. During his combat tours at Malta, Tilley attained a total of seven confirmed aerial victories and was one of the first two American pilots to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1942 he transferred to the United States Army Air Corps and by 1944 he was promoted to Major. After the war, Tilley was involved with the Berlin Air Lift and, later, as Director of Public Information, Tilley was on the team that helped General Curtis LeMay build the Strategic Air command (SAC) into a formidable unit. While working for LeMay, Tilley returned to his pre-war passion, auto racing, and became a driver for the SAC team. Col. Tilley also served as Director of Information for Pacific Air Forces during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Air Force in 1971, he worked as a consultant, was a member of the Fighter Aces Association, and also was a very active member in the Eagle Squadron Association, serving a term as its President. Working with that Association, he was instrumental in the design and building of the Eagle Squadron Memorial, in Grosvenor Square, London. Reade F. Tilley died in 2001.
From the description of Tilley collection, 1936-2000. (US Air Force Academy). WorldCat record id: 450042395
