Victor Herbert Strahm | |
---|---|
Strahm in January 1943
|
|
Born | 26 October 1895 Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
Died |
11 May 1957 (aged 61) Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, USA |
Buried | Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch |
Air Service, United States Army United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1917–1953 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 91st Aero Squadron (Observation) |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross |
Other work | Deputy commander, 9th Air Force during World War II |
Major (later Brigadier General) Victor Herbert Strahm (26 October 1895 – 11 May 1957) began his career as a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories. In his 36-year career, he served as chief test pilot for the United States Army Air Forces while en route to higher command.
During World War II, Strahm was deputy commander of the Ninth Air Force. He was promoted to deputy commander of the 33rd Air Division at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City and commander of Barksdale Air Force Base at Shreveport, Louisiana. He retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1953 after 36 years of service. On 28 April 1957, having undergone heart surgery and despondent due to ill health, Strahm was found at his home in Shreveport with a bullet wound to the head and a .32 caliber pistol at his side. He was flown to the Lackland Air Force Base hospital but died on 11 May at the age of 61.
American Aces of World War 1 Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN , ISBN .