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Assigned in June 1933 to the [[65th Service Squadron]] at [[NALF Ford Island|Luke Field]], Hawaii, two years later Spivey became engineering officer of the [[64th School Squadron]] at [[Kelly Field]], Texas, and in January 1936 was named assistant engineering officer there. In April 1936 he became an instructor at the flying school at Kelly Field, and a year later was appointed chief of the bomb section there. On 14 April 1938, he experienced a ground collision in a landing accident at Kelly Field, in which [[North American BT-9|North American BT-9B]], ''37–166'',<ref>Andrade, John M. ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909''. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 60.</ref><ref name="joebaugher2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1930.html|title=1930–1937 USAAC Serial Numbers|publisher=joebaugher.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> of the 64th School Squadron, received moderate damage.<ref name="aviationarchaeology2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/1940sB4/1938.htm|title=1938 USAAC Accident Reports|publisher=aviationarchaeology.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
Assigned in June 1933 to the [[65th Service Squadron]] at [[NALF Ford Island|Luke Field]], Hawaii, two years later Spivey became engineering officer of the [[64th School Squadron]] at [[Kelly Field]], Texas, and in January 1936 was named assistant engineering officer there. In April 1936 he became an instructor at the flying school at Kelly Field, and a year later was appointed chief of the bomb section there. On 14 April 1938, he experienced a ground collision in a landing accident at Kelly Field, in which [[North American BT-9|North American BT-9B]], ''37–166'',<ref>Andrade, John M. ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909''. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 60.</ref><ref name="joebaugher2">{{cite web|url=http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1930.html|title=1930–1937 USAAC Serial Numbers|publisher=joebaugher.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> of the 64th School Squadron, received moderate damage.<ref name="aviationarchaeology2">{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/1940sB4/1938.htm|title=1938 USAAC Accident Reports|publisher=aviationarchaeology.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>


Becoming materiel officer of the [[23d Composite Group]] in July 1938, with which he served at [[Maxwell Field]], Alabama, and Orlando, Florida, two years later the general assumed command of a squadron at the Air Corps Proving Ground, [[Eglin Field]], Florida, and in January 1941 was appointed executive officer of the Air Corps Proving Ground. In December 1939, Captains Spivey and [[George W. Mundy]], both of the 23d Composite Group, had flown two [[Curtiss P-37|Curtiss YP-37]]s to Eglin Field for engine testing, the first of thousands of service tests.<ref name="site.nwfdailynews.com">[http://site.nwfdailynews.com/Eglin75/brief.pdf History of Eglin Air Force Base]. Air Armament Center Office of History</ref> Two months prior, Spivey had suffered a landing accident on 10 October at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in which [[Curtiss P-36 Hawk|Curtiss P-36C Hawk]], ''38–187'', c/n 12601,<ref>Andrade, John M. ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909''. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 145.</ref> of the [[1st Special Operations Squadron|1st Pursuit Squadron (Single Engine)]], 23d Composite Group, received minor damage.<ref name="aviationarchaeology3">{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/1940sB4/1939.htm|title=1939 USAAC Accident Reports|publisher=aviationarchaeology.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref><ref name="accident-report2">{{cite web|url=http://www.accident-report.com/world/namerica/slist/maxwell.html|title=Accident-Report.com – USAAF/USAF Accidents for Alabama|publisher=accident-report.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
Becoming materiel officer of the [[23d Composite Group]] in July 1938, with which he served at [[Maxwell Field]], Alabama, and Orlando, Florida, two years later the general assumed command of a squadron at the Air Corps Proving Ground, [[Eglin Field]], Florida, and in January 1941 was appointed executive officer of the Air Corps Proving Ground. In December 1939, Captains Spivey and [[George W. Mundy]], both of the 23d Composite Group, had flown two [[Curtiss P-37|Curtiss YP-37]]s to Eglin Field for engine testing, the first of thousands of service tests.<ref name="site.nwfdailynews.com">[http://site.nwfdailynews.com/Eglin75/brief.pdf History of Eglin Air Force Base] {{wayback|url=http://site.nwfdailynews.com/Eglin75/brief.pdf |date=20120313040531 }}. Air Armament Center Office of History</ref> Two months prior, Spivey had suffered a landing accident on 10 October at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in which [[Curtiss P-36 Hawk|Curtiss P-36C Hawk]], ''38–187'', c/n 12601,<ref>Andrade, John M. ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909''. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 145.</ref> of the [[1st Special Operations Squadron|1st Pursuit Squadron (Single Engine)]], 23d Composite Group, received minor damage.<ref name="aviationarchaeology3">{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/1940sB4/1939.htm|title=1939 USAAC Accident Reports|publisher=aviationarchaeology.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref><ref name="accident-report2">{{cite web|url=http://www.accident-report.com/world/namerica/slist/maxwell.html |title=Accident-Report.com – USAAF/USAF Accidents for Alabama |publisher=accident-report.com |accessdate=2014-10-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015194532/http://www.accident-report.com/world/namerica/slist/maxwell.html |archivedate=2014-10-15 |df= }}</ref>


When Brigadier General [[Muir S. Fairchild]], executive officer of the Army Air Forces, arrived at Eglin Field by plane from [[New Orleans]] for a brief inspection tour of the growing post in mid-November 1941, he was hosted by Major Spivey, who was in command of the field during the temporary absence of Major [[George W. Mundy]].<ref>Press release, Eglin Field, Florida, Thursday 20 November 1941, published as "Eglin Honored By Visit From General Muir S. Fairchild", ''Okaloosa News-Journal'', Crestview, Florida, Friday 21 November 1941, Volume 27, Number 45, page 2.</ref>
When Brigadier General [[Muir S. Fairchild]], executive officer of the Army Air Forces, arrived at Eglin Field by plane from [[New Orleans]] for a brief inspection tour of the growing post in mid-November 1941, he was hosted by Major Spivey, who was in command of the field during the temporary absence of Major [[George W. Mundy]].<ref>Press release, Eglin Field, Florida, Thursday 20 November 1941, published as "Eglin Honored By Visit From General Muir S. Fairchild", ''Okaloosa News-Journal'', Crestview, Florida, Friday 21 November 1941, Volume 27, Number 45, page 2.</ref>


==World War II==
==World War II==
In April 1942, Lt. Col. Spivey assumed command of the Fixed Gunnery School at Eglin Field, and in February 1942 was named commander of the Central Instructors School and Flexible Gunnery School at [[Buckingham Field]],<ref name="fiu">{{cite web|url=http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm|title=Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School|publisher=fch.fiu.edu|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> [[Fort Myers]], Florida. He arrived there from Maxwell Field on 9 May, and four days later was notified of his promotion to full colonel.<ref name="wartimepress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimepress.com/archives.asp?TID=Military%20Air%20Fields,%20Camps,%20Forts%20and%20Stations&MID=United%20States&q=281&FID=3|title=United States – Military Air Fields, Camps, Forts and Stations – World War II Archives of Wartime Publications|publisher=wartimepress.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> "While construction workers built the new air field, Col. Spivey assembled a team of instructors drawn from the aerial gunnery school cadre at [[Tyndall Field]] located near Panama City, Florida. Tyndall Field instructors trained the first aerial gunnery students before America’s entry into the war. Spivey based the initial curricula and training exercises on the previous experience gleaned from the pre-war period. In addition, the extensive literature and field guides from the British Royal Air Force’s aerial gunnery school influenced Spivey."<ref>“Buckingham Field History,” AFHRA, Maxwell Air Force Base, Porter BAAF Collection</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Carlson, Erik D., "Shoot to Kill: Flexible Gunnery Training at Buckingham AAF, 1942–1945", Florida Gulf Coast University.</ref><ref name="fch.fiu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm#_ftn8|title=Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School|publisher=fch.fiu.edu|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
In April 1942, Lt. Col. Spivey assumed command of the Fixed Gunnery School at Eglin Field, and in February 1942 was named commander of the Central Instructors School and Flexible Gunnery School at [[Buckingham Field]],<ref name="fiu">{{cite web|url=http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm |title=Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School |publisher=fch.fiu.edu |accessdate=2014-10-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114220/http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm |archivedate=2016-03-04 |df= }}</ref> [[Fort Myers]], Florida. He arrived there from Maxwell Field on 9 May, and four days later was notified of his promotion to full colonel.<ref name="wartimepress.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimepress.com/archives.asp?TID=Military%20Air%20Fields,%20Camps,%20Forts%20and%20Stations&MID=United%20States&q=281&FID=3|title=United States – Military Air Fields, Camps, Forts and Stations – World War II Archives of Wartime Publications|publisher=wartimepress.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> "While construction workers built the new air field, Col. Spivey assembled a team of instructors drawn from the aerial gunnery school cadre at [[Tyndall Field]] located near Panama City, Florida. Tyndall Field instructors trained the first aerial gunnery students before America’s entry into the war. Spivey based the initial curricula and training exercises on the previous experience gleaned from the pre-war period. In addition, the extensive literature and field guides from the British Royal Air Force’s aerial gunnery school influenced Spivey."<ref>“Buckingham Field History,” AFHRA, Maxwell Air Force Base, Porter BAAF Collection</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Carlson, Erik D., "Shoot to Kill: Flexible Gunnery Training at Buckingham AAF, 1942–1945", Florida Gulf Coast University.</ref><ref name="fch.fiu.edu">{{cite web|url=http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm#_ftn8 |title=Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School |publisher=fch.fiu.edu |accessdate=2014-10-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114220/http://fch.fiu.edu/fch-2008/Carlson-Ft_MyersFlexibleGunnerySchool.htm |archivedate=2016-03-04 |df= }}</ref>


"The content and comparison of the curricula of flexible gunnery schools are necessary to an understanding of the discussion of specific training problems. Planning of curricula and preparation of textbooks was the work, in large part, of Maj. [[W. L. Kennedy]] and Col. Delmar T. Spivey. The former, after a study of the English flexible gunnery schools in the summer of 1941, prepared the first five week's course at [[Harlingen Air Force Base|Harlingen]] and aided in the preparation of textbooks to be used there.<ref>History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 3, III, 665–67.</ref> Colonel Spivey, project officer at Buckingham Army Air Field, performed a similar service for that station. In the early stages of their existence, flexible gunnery schools used as guide books Training Manual 1–271 and a Navy Department booklet, 'Air Gunnery.' After examining all available publications on gunnery in his planning for the school and comparing the results of his investigation with the subject matter of the two books, Colonel Spivey suggested to LAI? [sic] Headquarters the preparation of another text embracing some principles from each of the former ones."<ref>History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 2, II, 978-80.</ref><ref>Army Air Forces Historical Studies: No. 31, "Flexible Gunnery Training in the AAF," Assistant Chief of Air Staff. Intelligence, Historical Division, March 1945, Chapter III: THE PATTERN OF TRAINING, pages 37–38. The original of this monograph and the documents from which it was written are in the USAF Historical Division, Archives Branch, Bldg. 914, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.</ref><ref name="ibiblio">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/AAFHS/AAFHS-31/index.html#TOC|title=ARMY AIR FORCES HISTORICAL STUDIES No. 31: FLEXIBLE GUNNERY TRAINING IN THE AAF|publisher=ibiblio.org|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
"The content and comparison of the curricula of flexible gunnery schools are necessary to an understanding of the discussion of specific training problems. Planning of curricula and preparation of textbooks was the work, in large part, of Maj. [[W. L. Kennedy]] and Col. Delmar T. Spivey. The former, after a study of the English flexible gunnery schools in the summer of 1941, prepared the first five week's course at [[Harlingen Air Force Base|Harlingen]] and aided in the preparation of textbooks to be used there.<ref>History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 3, III, 665–67.</ref> Colonel Spivey, project officer at Buckingham Army Air Field, performed a similar service for that station. In the early stages of their existence, flexible gunnery schools used as guide books Training Manual 1–271 and a Navy Department booklet, 'Air Gunnery.' After examining all available publications on gunnery in his planning for the school and comparing the results of his investigation with the subject matter of the two books, Colonel Spivey suggested to LAI? [sic] Headquarters the preparation of another text embracing some principles from each of the former ones."<ref>History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 2, II, 978-80.</ref><ref>Army Air Forces Historical Studies: No. 31, "Flexible Gunnery Training in the AAF," Assistant Chief of Air Staff. Intelligence, Historical Division, March 1945, Chapter III: THE PATTERN OF TRAINING, pages 37–38. The original of this monograph and the documents from which it was written are in the USAF Historical Division, Archives Branch, Bldg. 914, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.</ref><ref name="ibiblio">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/AAFHS/AAFHS-31/index.html#TOC|title=ARMY AIR FORCES HISTORICAL STUDIES No. 31: FLEXIBLE GUNNERY TRAINING IN THE AAF|publisher=ibiblio.org|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>


"Throughout his tenure, Spivey demanded that all officers and enlisted men 'live and think only of gunnery.' Often Spivey was seen on the firing ranges and visiting students in classrooms to provide inspiration and leadership."<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="fch.fiu.edu"/><ref>“Units Assigned to Buckingham Air Field [During World War II Only],” Buckingham Field File, Archive Room, Southwest Florida Museum of History.</ref> Col. Spivey remained in command of Buckingham Field until 23 March 1943, when he was designated the A-3 operations officer<ref name="wartimepress.com"/> of the [[Southeast Air Corps Training Center|Southeast Training Command]] at Maxwell Field, remaining there until June 1943.<ref name="af.mil">{{cite web|url=http://archive.is/20130616082427/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7223|title=Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL DELMAR TAFT SPIVEY|publisher=archive.is|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
"Throughout his tenure, Spivey demanded that all officers and enlisted men 'live and think only of gunnery.' Often Spivey was seen on the firing ranges and visiting students in classrooms to provide inspiration and leadership."<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="fch.fiu.edu"/><ref>“Units Assigned to Buckingham Air Field [During World War II Only],” Buckingham Field File, Archive Room, Southwest Florida Museum of History.</ref> Col. Spivey remained in command of Buckingham Field until 23 March 1943, when he was designated the A-3 operations officer<ref name="wartimepress.com"/> of the [[Southeast Air Corps Training Center|Southeast Training Command]] at Maxwell Field, remaining there until June 1943.<ref name="af.mil">{{cite web|url=http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7223 |title=Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL DELMAR TAFT SPIVEY |publisher=archive.is |accessdate=2014-10-09 |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130616082427/http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7223 |archivedate=2013-06-16 |df= }}</ref>


Assigned with the [[Eighth Air Force]] in Europe, on 12 August 1943, while serving as an observer on a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] of the [[92d Bombardment Group|92d Bomb Group]], piloted by Eugene M. Wiley, on a mission to hit the rail marshalling yards<ref>Bowman, Martin W., "Home by Christmas?:
Assigned with the [[Eighth Air Force]] in Europe, on 12 August 1943, while serving as an observer on a [[Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] of the [[92d Bombardment Group|92d Bomb Group]], piloted by Eugene M. Wiley, on a mission to hit the rail marshalling yards<ref>Bowman, Martin W., "Home by Christmas?:
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==Publications==
==Publications==
In April 1959, Superintendent Spivey published a volume titled "Culver Military Academy: A Dedicated Institution", which went through two printings. (Indianapolis, Indiana: Newcomen Society, April 1959.)<ref name="maxinkuckee.history.pasttracker.com"/> He also authored a book on his experiences as the senior American POW officer in Stalag Luft III (Center Compound). Titled: "POW Odyssey: Recollections of Center Compound, Stalag Luft III and the Secret German Peace Mission in World War II", it was published in 1984.<ref name="culvergrads">{{cite web|url=http://www.culvergrads.com/base/faculty/faculty_member.aspx?id=197&cid=rhcs3duj42|title=Faculty/Staff Member – Delmar T. Spivey Class of 1957|publisher=culvergrads.com|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref> The Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978, running five linear feet, and used in the production of this manuscript, is archived at the [[United States Air Force Academy]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], Colorado.<ref name="worldcat">{{cite web|url=http://beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/data/768346150|title=ArchiveGrid : Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978.|publisher=beta.worldcat.org|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>
In April 1959, Superintendent Spivey published a volume titled "Culver Military Academy: A Dedicated Institution", which went through two printings. (Indianapolis, Indiana: Newcomen Society, April 1959.)<ref name="maxinkuckee.history.pasttracker.com"/> He also authored a book on his experiences as the senior American POW officer in Stalag Luft III (Center Compound). Titled: "POW Odyssey: Recollections of Center Compound, Stalag Luft III and the Secret German Peace Mission in World War II", it was published in 1984.<ref name="culvergrads">{{cite web|url=http://www.culvergrads.com/base/faculty/faculty_member.aspx?id=197&cid=rhcs3duj42 |title=Faculty/Staff Member – Delmar T. Spivey Class of 1957 |publisher=culvergrads.com |accessdate=2014-10-09 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014213429/http://www.culvergrads.com/base/faculty/faculty_member.aspx?id=197&cid=rhcs3duj42 |archivedate=2014-10-14 |df= }}</ref> The Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978, running five linear feet, and used in the production of this manuscript, is archived at the [[United States Air Force Academy]] in [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], Colorado.<ref name="worldcat">{{cite web|url=http://beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/data/768346150|title=ArchiveGrid : Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978.|publisher=beta.worldcat.org|accessdate=2014-10-09}}</ref>


==Family==
==Family==

Revision as of 13:10, 10 December 2016

Delmar Taft Spivey
Born(1905-08-09)August 9, 1905
Gatesville, North Carolina
DiedJanuary 18, 1982(1982-01-18) (aged 76)
Pinellas County, Florida
Allegiance United States of America
Service / branch United States Air Force
United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Corps
Years of service1928–1956
RankMajor General
Service numberO 017278,[1]
CommandsAir War College
Central Air Defense Force
Japan Air Self-Defense Force
314th Air Division
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star
Air Medal
Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Major General Delmar Taft Spivey (9 August 1905 – 18 January 1982) was an American military officer involved with aerial gunnery systems development, air education, and command structure. During World War II, he was the senior American officer of Center Compound, Stalag Luft III prisoner of war camp in Sagan, Germany.

Early life and education

Delmar Taft Spivey was born in Gatesville, North Carolina, on 9 August 1905. After graduating from high school at Whaleyville, Virginia, in 1922, he attended the College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. Graduating from the U.S. Military Academy on 9 June 1928, he was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry and assigned as a platoon leader at Fort Benning, Georgia. Entering flying school in June 1929, he graduated a year later, transferred to the Air Corps and was assigned to Langley Field, Virginia. On 20 February 1930, Lt. Spivey, of the 52d School Squadron, experienced a forced landing when the motor of Atlantic DH-4M-2, 23–685,[2] failed, the airframe suffering moderate damage when it came down 2 miles S of Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas.[3][4]

Military career

Assigned in June 1933 to the 65th Service Squadron at Luke Field, Hawaii, two years later Spivey became engineering officer of the 64th School Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, and in January 1936 was named assistant engineering officer there. In April 1936 he became an instructor at the flying school at Kelly Field, and a year later was appointed chief of the bomb section there. On 14 April 1938, he experienced a ground collision in a landing accident at Kelly Field, in which North American BT-9B, 37–166,[5][6] of the 64th School Squadron, received moderate damage.[7]

Becoming materiel officer of the 23d Composite Group in July 1938, with which he served at Maxwell Field, Alabama, and Orlando, Florida, two years later the general assumed command of a squadron at the Air Corps Proving Ground, Eglin Field, Florida, and in January 1941 was appointed executive officer of the Air Corps Proving Ground. In December 1939, Captains Spivey and George W. Mundy, both of the 23d Composite Group, had flown two Curtiss YP-37s to Eglin Field for engine testing, the first of thousands of service tests.[8] Two months prior, Spivey had suffered a landing accident on 10 October at Maxwell Field, Alabama, in which Curtiss P-36C Hawk, 38–187, c/n 12601,[9] of the 1st Pursuit Squadron (Single Engine), 23d Composite Group, received minor damage.[10][11]

When Brigadier General Muir S. Fairchild, executive officer of the Army Air Forces, arrived at Eglin Field by plane from New Orleans for a brief inspection tour of the growing post in mid-November 1941, he was hosted by Major Spivey, who was in command of the field during the temporary absence of Major George W. Mundy.[12]

World War II

In April 1942, Lt. Col. Spivey assumed command of the Fixed Gunnery School at Eglin Field, and in February 1942 was named commander of the Central Instructors School and Flexible Gunnery School at Buckingham Field,[13] Fort Myers, Florida. He arrived there from Maxwell Field on 9 May, and four days later was notified of his promotion to full colonel.[14] "While construction workers built the new air field, Col. Spivey assembled a team of instructors drawn from the aerial gunnery school cadre at Tyndall Field located near Panama City, Florida. Tyndall Field instructors trained the first aerial gunnery students before America’s entry into the war. Spivey based the initial curricula and training exercises on the previous experience gleaned from the pre-war period. In addition, the extensive literature and field guides from the British Royal Air Force’s aerial gunnery school influenced Spivey."[15][16][17]

"The content and comparison of the curricula of flexible gunnery schools are necessary to an understanding of the discussion of specific training problems. Planning of curricula and preparation of textbooks was the work, in large part, of Maj. W. L. Kennedy and Col. Delmar T. Spivey. The former, after a study of the English flexible gunnery schools in the summer of 1941, prepared the first five week's course at Harlingen and aided in the preparation of textbooks to be used there.[18] Colonel Spivey, project officer at Buckingham Army Air Field, performed a similar service for that station. In the early stages of their existence, flexible gunnery schools used as guide books Training Manual 1–271 and a Navy Department booklet, 'Air Gunnery.' After examining all available publications on gunnery in his planning for the school and comparing the results of his investigation with the subject matter of the two books, Colonel Spivey suggested to LAI? [sic] Headquarters the preparation of another text embracing some principles from each of the former ones."[19][20][21]

"Throughout his tenure, Spivey demanded that all officers and enlisted men 'live and think only of gunnery.' Often Spivey was seen on the firing ranges and visiting students in classrooms to provide inspiration and leadership."[16][17][22] Col. Spivey remained in command of Buckingham Field until 23 March 1943, when he was designated the A-3 operations officer[14] of the Southeast Training Command at Maxwell Field, remaining there until June 1943.[23]

Assigned with the Eighth Air Force in Europe, on 12 August 1943, while serving as an observer on a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of the 92d Bomb Group, piloted by Eugene M. Wiley, on a mission to hit the rail marshalling yards[24] at Gelsenkirchen, Germany, in the industrial Ruhr region,[25] Colonel Spivey was shot down. As the USAAF expert on aerial gunnery, he was on this mission to evaluate how to improve gun turrets.[26][27]

Hit by flak, which knocked out the number one engine, and fighters, which set number three afire, the bomber, B-17F-85-BO, 42-30081,[28] 'P-YO', named "USS Aliquippa", of the 407th Bomb Squadron, 92d Bomb Group, crash-landed near the Dutch border at Ahaus, NW of Münster. All eleven crew captured. (MACR 655)[29] One source credits Lt. Fritz Karch in a Bf 109G-6 of JG 2/6 with the kill.[30] With his capture, Spivey became the highest ranking prisoner of war in the ETO.

POW

"When Colonel Delmar T. Spivey entered [the camp] in late July, [sic] 1943, he was a full colonel and twice the age of most of his fellow inmates. The senior staff immediately realized that his seniority and West Point training would catapult him into prominence as a leader. To reduce the chances of his inadvertently giving away important secrets to the Germans, the staff quickly briefed him on the entire spectrum of camp activities, including the vital covert intelligence and escape work that had been painfully developed during the three years since the first Allied fliers were captured by the Germans."[31]

This included the three escape tunnels well underway, Tom, Dick and Harry. During succeeding days he learned all about the prisoners' forgery operation, covert communications with London and Washington, impressive education and theatrical programs, and robust play on the athletic field.

"Two weeks later Spivey assumed command as Senior American Officer (SAO) of Center Compound. Still dazzled by what he had seen, he reflected on the need to record for posterity the amazing activities he saw at every turn. If nothing else, he reasoned, the account might make it easier for the next generation of prisoners and save them the trouble of having to 'invent the wheel all over again.' As logical and intriguing as the idea sounded, Spivey knew there were great risks. The Germans obviously would love to get their hands on so revealing a document. He nonetheless decided to proceed with the effort, knowing that everything hinged on the careful observance of numerous precautions and safeguards."[31]

This coded and carefully hidden history was retrieved and carried at no little risk when the camp was hastily evacuated in late January, 1945, as the Germans marched the prisoners away from the rapidly advancing Russian armies. The documents served as the basis and initial impetus for "Stalag Luft III – The Secret Story", a definitive history of the camp, by Col. Arthur A. Durand, USAF (Ret.).

When word reached the camp that 50 of the 76 escapees had been shot after the break out of 24-25 March 1944, Spivey called the prisoners together and told them "Gentlemen, we're helpless and hopeless."[32]

Evacuation and diplomatic intrigue

On 27 January 1945, the prisoners of all three compounds of Stalag Luft III were hastily evacuated as the Russians advanced from the east and the camp complement and guards began a march in a blizzard to the garrison town of Spremberg, a sixty mile journey that took three days, and which was as hard on the guards as it was for the prisoners. There, Spivey and General Arthur W. Vanaman, the highest ranking American prisoner to bail out over Germany during the war, were separated from the POWs, the "kriegies" going by train to a large camp at Moosburg, in Eastern Bavaria, and the two officers taken to Berlin to meet with representatives of SS Lieutenant General Gottlob Berger, who was still in charge of Luftwaffe prison camps.

"Working through the Swiss government, Berger made arrangements for Red Cross parcels supplies to be delivered from Geneva to Allied prisoners of war who were being moved from the Eastern Front. Like his earlier effort to prevent his own SS from taking over control of the Luft camps after the Great Escape, this was a calculated effort by Berger to appease the approaching Western Allies.[33]

"After arranging for Red Cross food relief, Berger summoned Vanaman and Spivey to his heavily guarded headquarters. He wanted Vanaman to take a message to Eisenhower conveying his desire to negotiate - by secret radio codes - a separate peace with the Western Allies. This would allow a reinvigorated Wehrmacht to push the Russians back to the Oder. High-ranking army officers would then murder Hitler and Himmler - who were madmen, Berger said - and arrange an 'orderly and correct surrender' of the country to the Western Allies. Berger would do this, he told Spivey and Vanaman, to save his country from the Bolshevik beasts. He also claimed that he wanted to save the lives of Allied POWs, whom Hitler was threatening to kill as payback for Dresden."

Vanaman agreed to work with Berger only after he stopped the forced POW marches and sped up food delivery to the men. He and Spivey were then smuggled into neutral Switzerland and Vanaman flown to France to meet with Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz, who was incredulous at Berger's peace proposal. "'Somebody sure pulled your leg,' he told Vanaman. He then sent Vanaman to Washington to get rid of him. The general made a full report to the War Department which was conspicuously ignored."[34]

Upon return to allied control in April 1945, Col. Spivey was assigned to the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe.

Post-war

In August 1945 Colonel Spivey became assistant chief of Air Staff for Personnel of the Air Training Command at Fort Worth, Texas. The following month he was named assistant to the chief of staff of the Air Training Command, and in October 1945 was appointed deputy chief of staff of the command, retaining that position when the command headquarters moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, in April 1946.

Entering the National War College in August 1946, upon graduation the following June the general became chief of the Academic Staff of the Air University at Maxwell Field, Alabama. In July 1948 he was appointed commander for education at the Air University, and a year later became director of education there.

General Spivey in August 1949 was appointed chief of the Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at U.S. Air Force headquarters. A year later he was assigned to Fifth Air Force headquarters at Nagoya, Japan, and soon afterward assumed command of the Rear Echelon of the Fifth Air Force (6 August 1950 – 1 December 1950).[35] In December 1950 he was named commanding general of the 314th Air Division in Japan. Upon the inactivation of the 314th Air Division in February 1952, General Spivey was designated commander of the Japan Air Defense Force (1 December 1950 – 20 January 1953).[35]

Final assignments

Returning to the United States in February 1953, the general was appointed commanding general of the Central Air Defense Force, Air Defense Command, at Kansas City, Missouri. Moving to Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in July 1954, he was designated commandant of the Air War College, Air University (26 July 1954 – 15 June 1956)[36][37] until 16 June 1956, when he became a patient at the Air University Hospital.[23]

Post-service career

Following his military retirement, General Spivey, 56,[38] served as Superintendent of Culver Military Academy, Culver, Indiana, from September 1956 to 1967.[38]

In 1965, he smoothly integrated Culver. "Then-superintendent Gen. Delmar T. Spivey, according to an article in the summer, 1987 Culver Alumni magazine on the school's black student history, had said prior to the 1965 school year, 'Our policy has always been that when a qualified black student applies, he will be admitted,' and without fanfare, added the superintendent – which was just what happened."[39][40][41]

An article in the September 1966 issue of Boys' Life magazine states that "In ten years as superintendent, General Spivey has, with what an associate calls 'dynamic ease,' raised Culver to the top rank of prep schools in the U.S. He's brought in over eight million dollars with his 'Program of Excellence,' by getting Culver alumni in clubs across the country to speak up and give to their school. He's raised faculty salaries and created scores of new scholarships, including Boy Scout scholarships. 'At Culver,' he tells you, 'a boy learns the responsibility of command. He also learns that here, as in life, the best man – whether an artist, a scholar, or athlete – will win out.' The general has said he sometimes thinks that running Culver 'is tougher than fighting a war.' Yet, despite his heavy involvement, he gives much time to scouting as a member of the executive board of the Tri-Valley Council, in South Bend, Ind. For his outstanding work, General Spivey last year received the Silver Antelope – one of Scoutings [sic] highest awards for service to youth."[42][43]

Upon departing Culver, General Spivey and his wife retired to Largo, Florida, with a vacation house in Maine.

General Spivey died in 1982. Memorial services were held on 22 January 1982 at the Episcopal Church of Ascension in Clearwater, Florida.

Ginny Spivey, wife of General Spivey, was hostess to students and VIPs of the Academy. She died on 22 October 1997.

Publications

In April 1959, Superintendent Spivey published a volume titled "Culver Military Academy: A Dedicated Institution", which went through two printings. (Indianapolis, Indiana: Newcomen Society, April 1959.)[38] He also authored a book on his experiences as the senior American POW officer in Stalag Luft III (Center Compound). Titled: "POW Odyssey: Recollections of Center Compound, Stalag Luft III and the Secret German Peace Mission in World War II", it was published in 1984.[44] The Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978, running five linear feet, and used in the production of this manuscript, is archived at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[45]

Family

Delmar Spivey was married to Virginia B. Spivey, (a New Jersey native, born 4 April 1907, died 22 October 1997, in Largo, Pinellas County, Florida), and the 1940 census lists a son, Delmar B. Spivey, age 8.[46] Delmar B. Spivey would also join the U.S. Air Force in 1955, graduating in navigator class 58-03 at James Connally Air Force Base, Texas,[47] and later served as a navigator with a special operations squadron, the 309th Air Commando Squadron,[48] flying UC-123 Providers, on Operation Ranch Hand missions in Vietnam in 1966.[49][50] He later crewed Lockheed C-141 Starlifters. He retired from the Air Force on Wednesday 31 August 1977, with the rank of lieutenant colonel, his final assignment being with the Operations Plans Division of the 463d Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas. He is rated a master navigator, with 5,286 hours flying time.[48] He died 4 May 2006.[47]

Commemoration

In 1967, two distinguished physicians and graduates of Culver Military Academy, Dr. Richard U. Light, Class of 1920, and his brother Rudolph Light, Class of 1927, established the Major General Delmar T. Spivey Award for Excellence in Teaching to recognize and encourage superior teaching, particularly among younger, promising members of the faculty. Because of General Spivey’s many contributions to the encouragement of excellence in teaching at the Academy, the award was named in honor of Culver’s sixth Superintendent.[51]

Decorations

His decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and the Order of the British Empire (Honorary Commander). He is rated a command pilot.

References

  1. ^ "Delmar T Spivey : World War II POW : Germany". ww2pow.info. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  2. ^ "1922–1929 USAAS-USAAC Serial Numbers". joebaugher.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  3. ^ "1930 USAAC Accident Reports". aviationarchaeology.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  4. ^ "Accident-Report.com – USAAF/USAF Accidents for Texas". accident-report.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  5. ^ Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 60.
  6. ^ "1930–1937 USAAC Serial Numbers". joebaugher.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  7. ^ "1938 USAAC Accident Reports". aviationarchaeology.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  8. ^ History of Eglin Air Force Base Archived 2012-03-13 at the Wayback Machine. Air Armament Center Office of History
  9. ^ Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 145.
  10. ^ "1939 USAAC Accident Reports". aviationarchaeology.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  11. ^ "Accident-Report.com – USAAF/USAF Accidents for Alabama". accident-report.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-15. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Press release, Eglin Field, Florida, Thursday 20 November 1941, published as "Eglin Honored By Visit From General Muir S. Fairchild", Okaloosa News-Journal, Crestview, Florida, Friday 21 November 1941, Volume 27, Number 45, page 2.
  13. ^ "Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School". fch.fiu.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b "United States – Military Air Fields, Camps, Forts and Stations – World War II Archives of Wartime Publications". wartimepress.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  15. ^ “Buckingham Field History,” AFHRA, Maxwell Air Force Base, Porter BAAF Collection
  16. ^ a b Carlson, Erik D., "Shoot to Kill: Flexible Gunnery Training at Buckingham AAF, 1942–1945", Florida Gulf Coast University.
  17. ^ a b "Carlson-Ft Myers Flexible Gunnery School". fch.fiu.edu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 3, III, 665–67.
  19. ^ History of Central Flying Training Command, Installment 2, II, 978-80.
  20. ^ Army Air Forces Historical Studies: No. 31, "Flexible Gunnery Training in the AAF," Assistant Chief of Air Staff. Intelligence, Historical Division, March 1945, Chapter III: THE PATTERN OF TRAINING, pages 37–38. The original of this monograph and the documents from which it was written are in the USAF Historical Division, Archives Branch, Bldg. 914, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
  21. ^ "ARMY AIR FORCES HISTORICAL STUDIES No. 31: FLEXIBLE GUNNERY TRAINING IN THE AAF". ibiblio.org. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  22. ^ “Units Assigned to Buckingham Air Field [During World War II Only],” Buckingham Field File, Archive Room, Southwest Florida Museum of History.
  23. ^ a b "Biographies : MAJOR GENERAL DELMAR TAFT SPIVEY". archive.is. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ Bowman, Martin W., "Home by Christmas?: The Story of US Airmen at War", Patrick Stephens, 1987, ISBN 0-85059-834-6, page 23.
  25. ^ Gilbert, Adrian, "POW: Allied prisoners in Europe, 1939–1945", John Murray Publishers, 2007, page 31.
  26. ^ Katsaros, John, "CODE BURGUNDY: The Long Escape", 2009, ISBN 1-57256-108-4, Chapter 8, "Emergency Orders", page 39.
  27. ^ John Katsaros (27 May 2010). "Code Burgundy – The Long Escape" (PDF). ISBN 978-1-57256-108-3. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  28. ^ Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9, page 44.
  29. ^ http://www.8thafhs.com/db/get_mia_aircraft.php?acgroup_id=92BG&mission_date=1943-08-12
  30. ^ "1942 USAAF Serial Numbers (42-30032 to 42-39757)". joebaugher.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  31. ^ a b Durand, Arthur A., Col., USAF (Ret.), "Stalag Luft III – The Secret Story", Louisiana State University Press, New Ed edition, October 1999, Introduction.
  32. ^ Miller, Donald L., "Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany", Simon & Schuster, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, 2006, Library of Congress card number 2006050461, ISBN 978-0-7432-3544-0, page 391.
  33. ^ Miller, Donald L., "Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany", Simon & Schuster, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, 2006, Library of Congress card number 2006050461, ISBN 978-0-7432-3544-0, page 498.
  34. ^ Miller, Donald L., "Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany", Simon & Schuster, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, 2006, Library of Congress card number 2006050461, ISBN 978-0-7432-3544-0, page 499.
  35. ^ a b Lynnita Jean Brown of Tuscola Illinois. "Korean War Educator: Branch Accounts – Air Force – Air Commanders". koreanwar-educator.org. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
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  37. ^ "The New Air War College". airpower.au.af.mil. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  38. ^ a b c Judith E. Burns. "Culver Military Academy 1945–1969 – History and Genealogy of Lake Maxinkuckee". maxinkuckee.history.pasttracker.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  39. ^ Culver Alumni magazine, "Black at Culver: A Self-Examination," Summer 1987 edition.
  40. ^ Marshall County, Indiana, "Williams was among first black students at CMA", Pilot News, Sunday 10 February 2013.
  41. ^ "Williams was among first black students at CMA | The Pilot News". thepilotnews.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  42. ^ Babson, Walt, "Three Scouts at Culver", Boys' Life, Boy Scouts of America, New Brunswick, New Jersey, September 1966, Volume LVI, Number 9, page 79.
  43. ^ Boys' Life. Boy Scouts of America, Inc. p. 79. ISSN 0006-8608. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  44. ^ "Faculty/Staff Member – Delmar T. Spivey Class of 1957". culvergrads.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ "ArchiveGrid : Delmar T. Spivey, collection, 1943–1978". beta.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  46. ^ "Delmar T Spivey in the 1940 Census | Ancestry.com". ancestry.com. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  47. ^ a b "Deceased Listing | Connally/Harlingen Navigators & Observers". james-connally.org. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  48. ^ a b Lawrence, Larry, Military Editor, "Air Careers of Father and Son Span Years From Props to Huge Jets", Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas, Thursday 1 September 1977, Volume 97, Number 76, page 1-A.
  49. ^ Culver, Indiana, "'Ranch Hand' Mission In Vietnam", Culver Citizen, Thursday 28 April 1966, Volume 72, Number 17, page 1.
  50. ^ "THE CULVER CITIZEN ON LAKE MAXINKUCKEE" (PDF). 28 April 1966. Retrieved 2014-10-09.
  51. ^ "http://culveralumni.culver.org/document.doc?id=363&chid=2". culveralumni.culver.org. Retrieved 2014-10-09. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
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