William Ellsworth Kepner

William Ellsworth Kepner (6 January 1893 in Miami, Indiana – 3 July 1982 in Orlando, Florida) was an officer in the United States Army, United States Army Air Corps and United States Air Force, and a pioneer balloonist and airship pilot.

Early life He was born on 3 January 1893 in Miami, Indiana. However, the attempt nearly ended in tragedy when the balloon envelope ruptured near maximum height, sending the spherical pressurized gondola plunging earthwards. Fortunately, as the gondola reached lower altitudes, all three occupants were able to exit and safely parachute to earth shortly before it crashed.

World War II Brigadier General Auton, General Eisenhower, General Spaatz, General Doolittle, Major General William Kepner and Colonel Blakeslee in Debden, England. Ascending through the ranks, in February 1942 he was eventually promoted to major general in April 1943, and in September of that year took command of VIII Fighter Command in the European Theatre.

Prior to leaving for Europe, Kepner had been a key figure in demanding increased fuel capacity in aircraft like the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang. He visited North American Aviation and Lockheed to demand fuel be put into the wings of the aircraft, only to be told it couldn't be done. When he insisted they comply, complaints by the companies to Material Division (Wright Field) resulted in a threat to have charges laid against him for tampering with aircraft specifications. Fortunately, he was backed by Maj Gen Barney Giles and the modifications went ahead. These later proved critical in enabling the USAAF to introduce fighters with sufficient range to enable escort of bombers on deep penetration missions into Germany.

On arrival in Europe, he supervised the vital role that the fighters played both as guardians of the 8th Air Force's bombers and as ground-attack support for ground forces, not least in the crucial period around D-Day.

In August 1944, Kepner took command of the 8th Air Force's 2nd Bomb Division. During the war he flew 24 combat missions in fighters and bombers and received various decorations from his own country and also from several allied nations.

Post war News conference on board USS Appalachian during Operation Crossroads; foreground: Admiral William S. Parsons, Major General William E. Kepner, Vice Admiral William H. P. Blandy. Colonel Stafford L. Warren holds the microphone. Immediately after the war he took command of the 12th Tactical Air Command. Various appointments followed, including command of the Atomic Energy Division, U.S. Air Force Headquarters. In 1950, Kepner was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and became commander-in-chief of US Air Force Alaska Command.

He retired from military service on 28 February 1953, and after moving to Orlando, Florida, died there on 3 July 1982.