Ennis C. Whitehead
| Ennis Clement Whitehead | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant General Ennis C. Whitehead
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Ennis the Menace |
| Born |
3 September 1895 Westphalia, Kansas |
| Died | 12 October 1964 (aged 69) Newton, Kansas |
| Place of burial | Arlington Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air Force United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1917–51 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Service number | 0-10572/A |
| Commands held |
94th Pursuit Squadron 36th Pursuit Squadron Fifth Air Force Continental Air Command Air Defense Command |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (2) Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Ennis Clement Whitehead (3 September 1895 – 12 October 1964) was an early United States Army aviator and a United States Army Air Forces general during World War II. Whitehead joined the U. S. Army after the United States entered World War I in 1917. He trained as an aviator and served in France, where he was posted to the 3d Aviation Instruction Center and became a qualified test pilot. After the war, Whitehead returned to school at the University of Kansas. After he graduated, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1920.
Over the following twenty years, Whitehead participated in Billy Mitchell's aerial bombing demonstration and served as commander of the 94th and 36th Pursuit Squadrons among other assignments. After the U.S. entered World War II, Whitehead was promoted to brigadier general and sent to the Southwest Pacific Area. In the course of the war, he earned a Distinguished Service Cross and was named an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire as he rose to command the Fifth Air Force.
After the war, he commanded the Far East Air Forces, the Continental Air Command, and the Air Defense Command. He retired in 1951 after he was passed over for Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. Both his son, Ennis Whitehead, Jr., and his grandson, Ennis Whitehead III, became generals as well, rising to major general and brigadier general respectively.
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