Lt. General George H. Brett
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF)

Background
George Howard Brett was born February 7, 1886 in Cleveland, Ohio. He never completed high school, he graduated from Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in three years as with second honors. Afterwards, he accepted a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Scouts and served for more than two years in the Philippines.

World War II
In May 1941, selected as Chief of the Air Corps, a position that directly involved him in the critical projects of procurement and maintenance of aircraft and equipment, and the training of personnel. On June 20, 1941 he became part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During August 1941, sent to the British War Fronts to study problems with military aviation. At the start of the Pacific War, appointed as Second in Command under Sir Archibald Wavell, South Western Pacific Area.

By December 17, 1941 plans are drawn up for using Australia as an Allied supply base under command of Lt. Gen Brett. In late December 1941 attends a meeting in Chungking with Sir Archibald Wavell and Nationalist Chinese leader Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. On December 31, 1941 arrives in Darwin. On January 1, 1942 appointed Deputy Supreme Commander for the American British Dutch and Australian Command (ABDACOM) established the same day. A week later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. On March 18, 1942 as Commander and Chief of Allied Allied Air Forces in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) photographed seated at his desk.

On April 20, 1942 Brett assumed command of Allied Air Headquarters, SWPA at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne. His staff included Chief of Staff Brigadier General Stephen Chamberlin and later RAAF Air Vice Marshall William D. Bostock. Air Commodore Hewitt was appointed as Director of Allied Air Intelligence. After the Royce Mission, a displeased General Douglas MacArthur personally wrote a reprimand to Brett and the two clashed.

During the Battle of the Coral Sea, three B-17s accidentally bomb the ANZAC squadron including HMAS Australia, USS Farragut DD-348 and USS Perkins DD-377. They bombed from high altitude and missed. Afterwards, USN Vice Admiral Herbert F. Leary made plans to train aircrews in naval vessel recognition in response, Brett refused to implement them or acknowledge the friendly fire incident had happened.

Out of favor with MacArthur, Brett was replaced. On August 3, 1942 awarded the Silver Star by MacArthur with the citation reading: "for gallantry in action in air reconnaissance in the combat zone, Southwest Pacific Area, during the months of May, June and July 1942". Brett left Australia as a passenger aboard B-17D "The Swoose" 40-3097 across the Pacific and returned to the United States on August 4, 1942.

During November 1942 Brett became the Commanding General of the Caribbean Defense Command and Panama Canal Department defending the Panama Canal Zone (CZ) until October 1945. Afterwards, he was a patient in Brooke General Hospital.

Postwar
In May 1946 Brett retired with the rank of Major General with a total of 35 years of military service.

Awards
Brett earned the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He also received decorations from seventeen foreign countries, including the Order of the Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands and Knight Commander Order of the Bath of Great Britain.

Memorials
Brett passed away on December 2, 1963 at age 77. He is buried in Palm Cemetery, Winter Park, FL.

Relatives
Devol "Rock" Brett (son) became USAF Lieutenant General flew P-51s in Korea and F-4s in Vietnam.

References
U.S. Air Force (USAF) - Major General George H. Brett
Oz@War - Lieutenant General George H. Brett in Australia during WW2
FindAGrave - LTG George Howard Brett (obituary, photo, grave photo)

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