Irving L. Branch

Irving Lewis Branch (1 August 1912 – 3 January 1966) was a United States Air Force general. A graduate of the Norwich University, he served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II. After the war was the chief of staff of Armed Forces Special Weapons Project, deputy commander of the Air Force Special Weapons Center, and the head of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Office. In 1959 he assumed command of the US Air Force Flight Test Center, where he was in charge of the X-15 program and the first test flight of the experimental B-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber. He died on active service when his T-38 Talon jet crashed into Puget Sound.

Early life Irving Lewis "Twig" Branch was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on 1 August 1912, the son of Gordon Irving Branch, He graduated from Stamford High School in Stamford, Connecticut, in June 1930, and then entered Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering in June 1934. He was member of Norwich University Reserve Officer Training Corps, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. For his services commanding, training and leading Chinese pilots, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Chinese Air Force Wings and the Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner. Branch also received the Air Medal and the Legion of Merit for his wartime service.

Branch returned to the United States in September 1944, and became the commander of the 72nd Fighter Wing at Colorado Springs Army Air Base in Colorado. This was a training formation of the Second Air Force for fighter pilots. He received an additional award of the Legion of Merit for his service. As such, he was in charge of the X-15 program and the first test flight of the experimental B-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber. Divers recovered his body from the wreckage in of water two days later, and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Irving L. Branch Elementary School at Edwards Air Force Base is named his honor.

Dates of rank