Lt. General Ennis C. Whitehead
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF) and Far East Air Force (FEAF)

Background
Ennis Clement Whitehead was born in September 3, 1895 in Westphalia, Kansas. He attended the University of Kansas. On August 16, 1917 enlisted in the U.S. Army as a flying cadet and during June 1917 until November 1917 he was stationed at Chanute Field, IL. On November 20, 1917 commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Officers Reserve Corps.

World War I
During World War I, sent to France at the 3rd Aviation Instruction Center, Issoudun, France, successfully as an instructor and a test pilot. In June 1918 he was named Assistant Chief Test Pilot and continued to serve overseas until November 1918 when returned to the United States and demobilized in January 1919.

Interwar Period
During 1919, returned to the University of Kansas and completed his degree and in 1920 earned his Bachelor of Engineering degree. Afterwards, worked for the The Wichita Eagle as a reporter in order to earn money for law school but instead decided to return to military flying and applied for a regular commission in the U.S. Army. On September 11, 1920 recommissioned as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Service.

On September 25, 1920 married Mary Nicholson who he met in college and the couple had two children: daughter Margaret Whitehead born July 14, 1921 who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and son Ennis C. Whitehead Jr. who was born June 16, 1926. On July 2, 1926 became part of the newly formed U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). On June 20, 1941 became part of the newly formed U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF). During February 1941, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the Air Corps Advanced Flying School in Phoenix, Arizona.

World War II
On June 16, 1942 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) with Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker. On July 11, 1942 both arrive in Australia and the next day, he reported to General Douglas MacArthur at GHQ in Melbourne and got along well with Whitehead who appointed his as Deputy Commander, 5th Air Force (5th AF) and later said Whitehead possessed "masterful generalship... brilliant judgment and inexhaustible energy." During July 1942 moves to Brisbane becames the commander of the Advanced Echelon (ADVON) established at Port Moresby in New Guinea.

During early March 1943, part of the leadership during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and mentioned in dispatches for his brilliant handling of Allied aircraft durinng the Allied victory.

On March 15, 1943 promoted to the rank of Major General and worked well with Allied counterparts.

On March 20, 1943 at an award ceremony with Lt. General George C. Kenney in Port Moresby and awarded Major Harvey J. Scandrett the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Silver Star and Air Medal.

During June 1944 became the Commanding General of the 5th Air Force (5th AF).

On June 18, 1944 he met Charles A. Lindbergh at Headquarters, 5th Fighter Command at Nadzab Airfield.

On April 3, 1945 at a ceremony at Lingayen Airfield bestowed Major William A. Shomo with the Medal Of Honor.

On June 5, 1945 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Postwar
After the surrender of Japan, he remained commander of the 5th Air Force during the occupation of Japan. In December 1945 he became the commander of the Far East Air Force (FEAF) based in Japan. On September 18, 1947 he became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). During March 1949 he was relieved of command of the FEAF and returned to the United States.

On April 15, 1949 became the Commanding General of the Continental Air Command at Mitchel AFB. Next, became Commanding General of ConAC. On January 8, 1951 appointed Commanding General of the Air Defense Command.

Awards
For his military service, he earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his contribution to the Allied success in the Papuan Campaign, Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) with Oak Leaf Cluster, Silver Star; Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Also, foreign decorations from Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia.

Memorials
Whitehead died of emphysema on October 12, 1964 in the hospital at Lackland AFB at age 69. On October 15, 1964 he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 34, site 137-A.

Relatives
Margaret Whitehead (daughter) became a Captain in the U.S. Army died July 15, 1999
Ennis Whitehead, Jr. (son) became a Major General in the U.S. Air Force died January 18, 2023
Ennis Whitehead III (grandson) became a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army.

References
The Sunday News and Tribune "Missourians Cited by War Dpt. [Department] for Heroism" by Murlin Spencer (AP) April 25, 1943 page 7
"Somewhere in Australia, April 24–(AP) –One Missourian cited was a General whose contribution helped make the Allied victory in the Bismark Sea Possible... There is Brig. General Ennis C. Whitehead, American Air Force Commander [Deputy Commander, 5th Air Force] in New Guinea who was mentioned in dispatches for his brilliant handling of the serial attack that wiped out 22 Japanese ships in the Bismarck Sea. He won the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his contribution to the Allied success in the Papuan Campaign. His home is Kansas City."
U.S. Air Force - Lieutenant General Ennis Whitehead
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Ennis Clement Whitehead (grave photos)
FindAGrave - Gen Ennis Clement Whitehead (photo, grave photo)
All is Not Lost: General Ennis Whitehead's Turnaround Leadership, Ingenuity, and Resilience in MacArthur’s Air War (2024) by S.B. Whitehead

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