Background
Ray Thomas Elsmore was born February 6, 1891 to parents Joseph Hyrum Elsmore and Sarah Ann (née Richards) Elsmore in American Fork, Utah. He was one of ten children.
Wartime History
In 1917, enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a flying instructor during World War I. During 1919, he returned to civilian life in Utah and studied law and was admitted into the Utah bar and began practicing law in Salt Lake City for Herbert B. Maw who later became governor of Utah. Later, he was a partner in his own firm, Elsmore and Clawson and was nicknamed the "Flying Attorney" because he often flew his own plane around the state when he worked on cases. He also pioneered U.S. postal service air mail routes in the Rocky Mountain region.
Wartime History
Prewar, Major Elsmore was assigned to Headquarters squadron of the 5th Air Base Group and flew from Clark Field as a passenger aboard an B-18 Bolo from the 28th Bombardment Squadron to Del Monte Airfield to setup operations at Del Monte Airfield for two squadrons of B-17 Flying Fotresses. On December 3, 1941 he was present to meet B-17D Flying Fortress 40-3074 piloted by 1st Lt. Elmer "Pappy" Parsel the first bomber to land at the new airfield.
At the start of the Pacific War, he was serving in the Philippines. Elsmore arranged the air evacuation of General Douglas MacArthur, his family and senior staff. He was a passenger on the last plane to depart Del Monte Airfield on Mindoro in the Philippines. In Australia, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and became the chief of staff for 5th Bomber Command.
On February 17, 1943 Elsmore became Director of Air Transport for the Allied Air Forces in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). For this assignment his Headquarters was in the Old Courier Building on Queens Street in Brisbane until disbanded.
On October 3, 1944 he became the commander of 5298th Troop Carrier Wing (5298th TCW) under the administrative and operational command of Far East Air Forces (FEAF). On October 11, 1944 flew to Hollandia to move the headquarters to a location between Sentai Airfield and Hollandia Airfield. On December 30, 1944 became commander of the 322nd Air Division (322nd AD).
During May-June 1945, he directed the construction of airfields and during 1945 directed the rescue of downed personnel from the Balim Valley (Hidden Valley, Shangri-La) in western New Guinea, training pilots to drop a glider then pull it airborne to rescue them. On June 28, 1945 flew as a passenger aboard a B-25 Mitchell to observe the rescue operation when C-47 "Leaking Louise" towed CG-4A "Fanless Faggot" glider to the survivors.
Postwar
Elsmore became one of the first executives with Trans-Ocean Airlines and served as executive vice president between 1946 until 1952. Later, he became president and director of Western Sky Industries in Hayward, a subsidiary of Trans-Ocean Airlines and was a subcontractor for Douglas Aircraft Company assembling sections of jets for the U.S. Navy. He often flew his own plane to work. In total, he logged 18,000 hours flying.
Awards
For his World War II service, Elsmore earned the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Service Medal (DSM), Commendation Award and six Presidential Unit Citations.
Memorials
Elsmore died February 17, 1956 of a heart attack at age 66. He is buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, CA at sub 4, lot 326, section G.
Relatives
Isabella “Belle” (née Hamblin) Elsmore (wife died 1961)
Joan Elsmore (daughter died 2010)
Ray T. Elsmore, Jr. (son)
References
Headquarters, 5th Bomber Command APO 922 [Townsville] Special Orders No. 52, Col. Ray T. Elsmore, 23 October 1942 via Vincent Snyder / Bruce Hoy
National Geographic Society "New Guinea's Mountain and Swampland Dwellers" 1941, 1945
New York Times "Ray Elsmore, 66, Helped M'Arthur; Ex-Air Force Colonel Dies-- Arranged General's Flight From Philippines in War" February 19, 1957
FindAGrave - Col Ray Thomas Elsmore (photos, obituary, grave photos)
Fortress Against The Sun (2001) pages 35, 75, 176, 397,
453, 456
December 8, 1941 MacArthur's Pearl Harbor (2003) pages 238, 239, 538 (index Elsmore)
Oz @ War - Directorate of Air Transport Allied Air Forces, South West Pacific Area
