Benjamin Chidlaw
| Benjamin W. Chidlaw | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Birth name | Benjamin Wiley Chidlaw |
| Born | December 18, 1900 Cleves, Ohio |
| Died | February 21, 1977 (aged 76) |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1922–1955 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held | Air Defense Command Continental Air Defense Command |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
General Benjamin Wiley Chidlaw (December 18, 1900 – February 21, 1977) directed the development of the United States' original jet engine and jet aircraft. He joined the United States Army Air Service, at the time a precursor to the United States Air Force (USAF), in 1922 and for several years served in training and engineering positions. By 1940 he was chief of the Experimental Engineering Branch and involved with the development of jet engines. During World War II he was deputy commander of 12th Tactical Air Command and later organised the establishment of the 22nd Tactical Air Command in the European Theater of Operations. After the war he remained in senior command positions and finished his career with the USAF in 1955 as commander in chief of the Continental Air Defense Command with the rank of general. He died in 1977 at the age of 76.
Benjamin Wiley Chidlaw was born in Cleves, Ohio, in 1900. He graduated from Woodward High School at Cleves and from the United States Military Academy, with appointment in June 1922 as a second lieutenant of the United States Army Air Service, soon to become the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), which would later evolve into the United States Air Force (USAF).
Chidlaw took flying training at Brooks and Kelly Fields, Texas, and got his wings in January 1924. He remained at Kelly five months as a flying instructor. He went to Clark Field in the Philippines for duty with the 3rd Pursuit Squadron. He returned to Brooks in October 1926 as flying instructor assistant staging commander, and final check pilot.
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