Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Elwood
R.
Quesada
1904

–

February 9, 1993

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

After serving in the Army Air Forces in World War II, Elwood Quesada transferred to the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of service in 1947. He retired in 1951 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    February 1 – July 31, 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 17 (March 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Elwood R. Quesada (ASN: 0-16731/50A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the NINTH Command and the NINTH Tactical Air Command in the European Theater of Operations during the period from 1 February 1944 to 31 July 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Quesada and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 54 (September 7, 1951)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Lieutenant General Elwood R. Quesada (ASN: 0-16731/50A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Head of the Joint Technical Planning Committee for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and subsequently as Joint Task Force-3 Commander in that office from 1959 to 1951. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Quesada culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    January 1 – 7, 1929
    War Department, General Orders No. 7 (1929)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Elwood R. Quesada (ASN: 0-16731/50A), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. From 1 to 7 January 1929, Lieutenant Quesada, with First Lieutenant Harry A. Halverson Air Corps, acted as relief pilot of the airplane Question Mark on the refueling flight at and near Los Angeles, California, which remained in the air a total of 150 hours, 40 minutes and 15 seconds, a period of continuous flight longer than any previous flight ever accomplished. By their endurance, resourcefulness, and determination they demonstrated future possibilities in aviation which were heretofore not appreciated and thus reflect great credit upon themselves and the Army of the United States.