Frank A. Armstrong

Frank Alton Armstrong Jr.
Official photograph Lt. Gen. Frank Armstrong
Nickname(s)	"Army"
Born	(1902-05-24)May 24, 1902 Hamilton, North Carolina
Died	August 20, 1969(1969-08-20) (aged 67)
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1928–1962
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands held	13th Attack Squadron 97th Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 1st Bombardment Wing 46th Bombardment Training Wing 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing 315th Bomb Wing Second Air Force Alaskan Command
Battles/wars	World War II Cold War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal
Spouse(s)	Vernelle Lloyd Hudson

Frank Alton Armstrong Jr. (May 24, 1902 – August 20, 1969) was a lieutenant general of the United States Air Force. As a brigadier general in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, he was the inspiration for the main character in the novel and subsequent film, Twelve O'Clock High. After the war, he held a variety of senior leadership positions prior to and following the establishment of the USAF as an independent service in 1947. Promoted to major general in 1950, he advanced to lieutenant general in 1956 and retired at that rank in 1962.

Armstrong commanded two B-17 Flying Fortress groups and a wing each of B-17 and B-29 Superfortresses in combat operations against both Germany and Japan. He personally led the first USAAF strategic bombing attack from England in August 1942, and the last strategic raid on Japan three years later. He also led the first attack by the USAAF against a target in Germany.

Armstrong was born in Hamilton, North Carolina. He played minor league professional baseball from 1925 to 1928, after he graduated from Wake Forest College with a law degree in 1923 and a bachelor of science degree in 1925.

He enlisted as a flying cadet in the Army Air Corps on February 24, 1928, and received his flight training at Brooks Field and Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. He received his wings and reserve officer's commission on February 28, 1929, and his commission in the Regular Army on May 2, 1929. His first assignment was to the 2nd Bombardment Group at Langley Field, Virginia, where he married Vernelle Lloyd Hudson on March 15, 1929. His son, Frank Alton Armstrong III, was born March 7, 1930. Armstrong was made a flight instructor at March Field, Riverside, California, in 1930, and at Randolph Field, San Antonio, Texas, in 1931.