Oliver P. Echols
| Oliver Patton Echols | |
|---|---|
Major General Oliver P. Echols
|
|
| Born |
March 4, 1892 Charlottesville, Virginia |
| Died | May 15, 1954 (aged 62) Los Angeles, California |
| Place of burial | 1954–1990: Arlington National Cemetery From 1990: Rockport Cemetery in Aransas County, Texas |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Air Service U.S. Army Air Corps U.S. Army Air Forces
|
| Years of service | 1916–1946 |
| Rank |
 Major general
|
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Purple Heart |
| Other work | Chairman and President of Northrop |
Oliver Patton Echols (March 4, 1892 – May 15, 1954) was an American military officer who brought success in World War II to the United States Army Air Forces by expanding the inventory of America's air arm to meet the needs of the coming war. More than any other man under Chief of the Army Air Forces, General Henry H. Arnold, Echols was responsible for the development, procurement and supply of aircraft and aeronautical equipment. Fighter projects officer Benjamin S. Kelsey, directly subordinate to Echols from 1934 to 1945, called him "The Man Who Won World War II."
Oliver Patton Echols was born on March 4, 1892 in Charlottesville, Virginia, to William Holding Echols, a university professor. Oliver Echols attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Virginia, studying aviation engineering.
Echols enlisted in 1916 and served in World War I with the United States Army Air Service, American Expeditionary Force, from August 1917 to April 1919, participating as an aviator in the battles of Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. At the rank of captain, Echols served as Chief of Air Service, I Corps, for the final drive against German forces.
Echols's educational and military preparation for his later specialization included attendance at the Army Industrial College, Command and General Staff School, Army War College, and Air Corps Tactical School. He served in the Air Corps Experimental Engineering Section and the Procurement Section before becoming the chief engineer of the Materiel Division from 1934 to 1938.
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