Edwin A. Doss

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American fighter pilot (1914-1996)

title: "Edwin A. Doss" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1914-births", "1996-deaths", "people-from-rector,-arkansas", "civilian-conservation-corps-people", "university-of-southern-california-alumni", "united-states-army-air-forces-pilots-of-world-war-ii", "recipients-of-the-air-medal", "recipients-of-the-distinguished-flying-cross-(united-states)", "united-states-army-command-and-general-staff-college-alumni", "recipients-of-the-legion-of-merit", "air-command-and-staff-college-alumni", "united-states-air-force-personnel-of-the-korean-war", "university-system-of-maryland-alumni", "national-war-college-alumni", "united-states-air-force-colonels", "burials-at-riverside-national-cemetery"] description: "American fighter pilot (1914-1996)" topic_path: "history" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_A._Doss" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American fighter pilot (1914-1996) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox military person"]

FieldValue
nameEdwin A. Doss
imageCol. Edwin A. Doss.jpg
captionDoss during his tenure as a lieutenant colonel.
rank[[File:US-O6 insignia.svg
birth_date
death_date
birth_placeRector, Arkansas, U.S.
death_placeRiverside, California, U.S.
placeofburialRiverside National Cemetery
allegianceUnited States of America
branch

| | serviceyears | 1940–1968 | | commands | 41st Pursuit Squadron 35th Fighter Group 27th Fighter Group 49th Fighter Bomber Wing 3rd Bomb Wing Bangor Air Defense Sector | | awards | Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Air Medal (3) Eulji Order of Military Merit | ::

| name = Edwin A. Doss | image = Col. Edwin A. Doss.jpg | caption = Doss during his tenure as a lieutenant colonel. | rank = [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|24px]] Colonel | birth_date = | death_date = | birth_place = Rector, Arkansas, U.S. | death_place = Riverside, California, U.S. | placeofburial = Riverside National Cemetery | placeofburial_label= | allegiance = United States of America | branch =

| serviceyears = 1940–1968 | battles =

Edwin A. Doss (September 14, 1914January 7, 1996) was an American fighter pilot and commander in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and Korean War. Logging more than 4,500 flying hours, Doss flew 573 combat hours and accrued 280 combat missions during his leadership in the South West Pacific Theatre and Korean War. For his two-year service as commander of the 35th Fighter Group during World War II, Doss was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal. He received his second Legion of Merit and the Korean Ulchi medal with a Silver Star for his assignments as commander of the 49th Fighter Bomber Wing and the 3rd Bomber Wing at Kunsan, Korea. Colonel Doss's service has been cited as integral to the development of long-range fighter tactics in the South West Pacific Theater.

After the Korean War, Doss held assignments including senior Air Force advisor to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Vice Commander of the 85th Air Division (Air Defense) at Andrews Air Force Base, and Deputy Commander of the Washington Air Defense Sector at Fort Lee, Virginia. In 1963, Doss was assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) headquarters as Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General. In 1964, he was appointed as head of the command liaison agency to the government of France at Paris. He retired from the Air Force in 1968. He died in 1996 at age 81 in Riverside, California, and was buried at the Riverside National Cemetery.

Early life and education

Edwin Allen Doss was born in Rector, Arkansas. He later moved to Missouri where he graduated from Portageville High School in 1932. He spent the next two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps before attending Lead Belt Junior College in Desloge, Missouri. He graduated in 1936.

Career

Early military years (1940–1941)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Aviation_Cadet_Edwin_A._Doss.jpg" caption="date=2016-03-03 }}"] ::

On April 9, 1941, Doss's P-35 crashed due to mechanical failure in Selfridge Field. The plane was severely damaged.

World War II

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Lt_Col_Edwin_A._Doss.jpg" caption="Lt. Col. Edwin A. Doss]]In January 1942, Doss and his squadron were deployed to [[Port Moresby]], New Guinea in the [[South West Pacific Theatre]].Holmes, 26 In June of that year, he was appointed [[commander]] of the [[41st Pursuit Squadron]], and by 1943, he was a major in the [[United States Army Air Corps]].Holmes 26"] ::

In August 1943, Doss became commander of the 35th Fighter Group, and in November, Doss was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In 1944, under Doss's command the 35th Fighter Group set a record for the longest fighter mission in the South West Pacific Theater. After, the 35th Fighter Group continued into the Philippines. Under Doss's leadership, the group held a combat score of 397 victories and was the first fighter squadron to reach the Japanese mainland.

After leading the 35th Fighter Group through the South West Pacific Theater from Lae, New Guinea to Okinawa, Japan, Doss was promoted to colonel in 1945.

Doss's leadership as commander has been commended as integral to the advancement of long-range fighter tactics in the South West Pacific Theater. His strategic leadership received mention in a booklet that was published by World War II combat pilots of the South West Pacific.

Korean War

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Colonel_Edwin_A._Doss_on_Plane.JPG" caption="Kunsan]], through the end of the [[Korean War]]. He returned to the United States in April 1954.Futrell AppendixHolmes 27"] ::

Later military years (1954–1968)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Col._E._A._Doss.JPG" caption="commander]] of the [[Bangor Air Defense Sector]].Holmes 27 While serving as commander of the Bangor Air Defense Sector, he held the position of commander of the Bangor North American Air Defense Sector.Holmes 27"] ::

In 1963, Doss was appointed deputy inspector general and inspector general of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) headquarters. He served as head of the command liaison agency to the government of France at Paris from 1964 until 1966, and then deputy commander of the 25th Air Division at McChord Air Force Base until he retired from the Air Force in 1968. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Edwin_A._Doss_1944.jpg" caption="Edwin A. Doss"] ::

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/General_Orders_No._37_Oct._25,_1954_0001.jpg" caption="General Orders 37 Secretary of the Air Force Oct. 25, 1954 Page 1"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/General_Orders_No._37_Oct._25,_1954_0002.jpg" caption="General Orders 37 Secretary of the Air Force Oct. 25, 1954 Page 2"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Col._E.A._Doss_Legion_of_Merit_October_25,_1954.jpg" caption="Col. Edwin A. Doss Legion of Merit October 25, 1954"] ::

Assignments

::data[format=table]

24.Jun 1966 – Jul 1968Deputy commander, 25th Air Division, McChord Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington
::

Flight information

Awards and decorations

::data[format=table]
::

::data[format=table] | [[File:Office_of_the_Secretary_of_Defense_Identification_Badge.png|120x120px]] | |---| ::

::data[format=table]

Badge1st row2nd row3rd row4th row5th row6th row7th rowBadge
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge
Legion of MeritDistinguished Flying Cross
Air MedalArmy Commendation MedalPresidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit AwardAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign MedalWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medal
Korean Service MedalAir Force Longevity Service RibbonPhilippine Defense Medal
Philippine Liberation MedalPhilippine Independence MedalPhilippine Presidential Unit Citation
Korean Presidential Unit CitationUnited Nations Service Medal KoreaKorean War Service Medal
Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
::

::data[format=table]
::

::data[format=table]

Eulji Cordon Medal
::

Effective dates of promotion

::data[format=table]

InsigniaRankTemporaryPermanent
[[File:US-OF1B.svg6px]]Second LieutenantDecember 20, 1940
[[File:US-OF1A.svg6px]]First lieutenantJune 1, 1942
[[File:US-O3 insignia.svg15px]]CaptainOctober 15, 1942
[[File:US-O4 insignia.svg20px]]MajorMarch 4, 1943
[[File:US-O5 insignia.svg20px]]Lieutenant colonelNovember 28, 1943
[[File:US-O6 insignia.svg25px]]ColonelMarch 21, 1945
::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/E.A._Doss_Retirement.jpg" caption="Announcement of Retirement for Col. Edwin A. Doss September 11, 1968"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8d/E.A._Doss_Cert_of_Retirement.jpg" caption="Certificate of Retirement for Col. Edwin A. Doss September 12, 1968"] ::

References

Bibliography

  • Pilots of the Fifth Air Force. “Fighter Combat Tactics in the Southwest Pacific Area.” Merriam Press, Vermont: 2007. . 83 pages.
  • Holmes, Tony, Ed.. “'Twelve to One' V Fighter Command Aces of the Pacific War”. Oxford, Great Britain: Osprey Publishing, 2004. . 129 pages.
  • Wistrand, R. B. Pacific Sweep: A Pictorial History of the Fifth Air Force Fighter Command. F.H. Johnson, 1945. ASIN: B000ZUS7DW.
  • Futrell, Robert F. “The United States Air Force in Korea 1950-1953.” Government Printing Office: 2007. .

References

  1. [http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/newssdi Social Security Death Index record]
  2. Pilots of the Fifth Air Force 16
  3. Holmes 27
  4. Pilots of the Fifth Air Force 16
  5. Holmes 26,27
  6. Pilots of the Fifth Air Force 16
  7. Holmes 27
  8. Holmes 27
  9. Holmes 27
  10. [http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/newssdi Social Security Death Index record]
  11. Holmes 26
  12. Holmes 26
  13. Holmes 26
  14. Holmes 26
  15. Holmes 26
  16. link. (2016-03-03)
  17. [http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/AARmonthly/Apr1941.htm Aviation Archaeological Investigation & Research:March 1941 USAAF Accident Reports]
  18. Holmes, 26
  19. Holmes 26
  20. link. (2016-06-04)
  21. Holmes 26
  22. Wistrand
  23. Wistrand
  24. Holmes 26
  25. Pilots of the Fifth Air Force 16
  26. Pilots of the Fifth Air Force 16
  27. Holmes 27
  28. Futrell Appendix
  29. Holmes 27
  30. Holmes 27
  31. Holmes 27
  32. Holmes 27
  33. Holmes 27

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

1914-births1996-deathspeople-from-rector,-arkansascivilian-conservation-corps-peopleuniversity-of-southern-california-alumniunited-states-army-air-forces-pilots-of-world-war-iirecipients-of-the-air-medalrecipients-of-the-distinguished-flying-cross-(united-states)united-states-army-command-and-general-staff-college-alumnirecipients-of-the-legion-of-meritair-command-and-staff-college-alumniunited-states-air-force-personnel-of-the-korean-waruniversity-system-of-maryland-alumninational-war-college-alumniunited-states-air-force-colonelsburials-at-riverside-national-cemetery