Ira L. Kimes

Ira Laffayete Kimes (August 8, 1899 - February 3, 1949) was a highly decorated naval aviator of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general. He is most noted for his service as commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 22 during the Battle of Midway, for which he received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Early life

Kimes was born on August 8, 1899, in Fayetteville, Tennessee, but his family moved to Hunnewell, Missouri, where he attended high school. He then accepted appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated with bachelor's degree on June 7, 1923. While at the academy, Kimes was a member of the rifle team and was designated expert rifleman.

At the time of his graduation, he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and sent to the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard for further officer's training. Kimes completed his training and served on various stations in the United States until December 1925. He subsequently sailed for Haiti as a member of 1st Marine Brigade under Brigadier General John T. Myers and took part in the skirmishes against Cacos bandits.

Kimes remained in the Caribbean until April 1927, and following his return he applied for aviation training. He was ordered to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, and after one year of instruction, Kimes was designated Naval aviator on April 30, 1928. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in July of that year.

He returned to Haiti in 1932 and served as operations and communications officer with Aircraft Squadron until summer 1933. Kimes was decorated with the Haitian National Order of Honour and Merit, rank Chevalier by the Government of Haiti for his service in that country.

Kimes was ordered to the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in September 1937 and graduated in June 1938. He was promoted to the rank of major in July 1939 and assumed command of Utility Squadron 1-M at Turner Field, Virginia and remained in this capacity until summer 1940.

World War II

Kimes was appointed commanding officer of Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 232 in July 1940 at San Diego and moved with his unit to Hawaii in January 1941 with the increasing tensions in the Pacific. He was present at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa at Oahu, Hawaii, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December of that year. Kimes participated in the defense of the Ewa Field and was transferred to Midway Atoll to assume command of Marine Aircraft Group 22. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in May 1942.

He led his aircraft group during the Battle of Midway at the beginning of June 1942 and distinguished himself during the defense of the atoll. Kimes subsequently received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Kimes was transferred to the retired list due to failing health on February 1, 1945, and was advanced to the rank of brigadier general on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Ira L. Kimes: