Who was General Frank Andrews?

Capt Walter Miller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:08:23 -0500

Can you name this general?

Response by CSM David Heidke made Dec 23 at 2015 8:49 AM

CSM David Heidke — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:49:23 -0500

I shall name him... Bill...

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 23 at 2015 9:23 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:23:04 -0500

This is General Frank Andrews. General Andrews was a strong proponent of the B-17 Flying Fortress, which the ground generals were determined to not support. As late as 1940, ground generals tried to kill any 4 engine bomber purchases.

General Andrews took a position requiring strong moral courage. He spoke out about the short sitedness of the Army in trying to stick with tactical bombers. For this he was reduced back to his permanent rank and transferred to the same post General Mitchell was sent to – right before he was court martialed.

With the ascension of General Marshall to the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Andrews was called back to Washington where he played a vital role during the early part of the war. It was he who would have led the Invasion of Europe as Marshall’s protégé. Unfortunately he was killed in a plane crash in 1943.

Gen. Andrews was a native of Nashville, Tennessee.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 23 at 2015 10:19 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:19:59 -0500

Interesting information, 'the only officer Gen. Marshall had an opportunity to groom'? I thought Ike had been groomed before his accession? Capt Walter Miller

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 23 at 2015 10:27 AM

LTC Bink Romanick — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:27:14 -0500

Capt Walter Miller No, I can't !

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 23 at 2015 10:40 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:40:04 -0500

One of the ‘off the wall’ trivia thing about the death of General Andrews is that he was flying back to the ‘States on a B-24 called “Tough Stuff.” “Tough Stuff” was the first US bomber to complete 25 missions (some from England but many from North Africa). The plane and crew was being brought back to the ‘States for a bond tour. They missed some approaches due to bad weather in Iceland. On the last try, they flew into a mountain.

Instead, B-17 ‘Memphis Belle’ completed its 25th Mission just a few weeks later and did a big time bond tour and was the subject of a very well-known news reel/documentary film.

Walt

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 23 at 2015 10:54 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:54:48 -0500

Lt. Gen. Andrews (in the middle) inspects a radio set at the Command Post of the Provisional Maneuver Force in Puerto Rico, November 1941. Next to him are generals: James Lawton Collins and Harry C. Ingles.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 11:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 11:14:03 -0500

LTG Andrews was a big proponent of the four-engine bomber, the B-17 at the time.
Joint base Andrews is named after him, as is the movie theater in NAS Keflavik near where his plane crashed.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 23 at 2015 11:27 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 11:27:11 -0500

I could have given a hint: Who is Andrews Air Force Base named for?