World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseBryant LeMaire Boatner was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States in Oct 1900 to Mark Mayo Boatner, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute and an attorney and judge, and Byrd Elizabeth Boatner (née Bryant). Following his older brother Haydon Boatner's footsteps, he sought and secured an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, United States, graduating in 1928 as a junior officer in the artillery. After attending flying schools at Brooks and Kelly Fields in Texas, United States, he was transferred to the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) in Nov 1929. He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in early 1934, and later that year he was transferred to Wheeler Field in the US Territory of Hawaii. In Mar 1935, he was promoted to the rank of temporary captain and was made a squadron commander. In late 1936, he was assigned to Barksdale Field, Louisiana, United States. Between 1938 and 1939, he completed the USAAC Engineering School at Wright Field, Ohio, United States. In Feb 1941, he was promoted to the rank of temporary major. In Jul 1941, he was transferred to the Special Projects Branch of the Production Engineering Section of the USAAC.

ww2dbaseAfter the US entry into WW2, Boatner remained in the Special Projects Branch in the United States. In Jan 1942, he was promoted to the rank of temporary lieutenant colonel, and two months later temporary colonel. In Oct 1942, he was made the chief of the Special Projects Branch, and remained in the leadership role when the branch was reorganized as the Aircraft Modification Section. Between Jul 1943 and Feb 1944, he served as the assistant chief of the Production Division. Between Feb 1944 and Apr 1944, he served as the assistant chief of the Inspection Division, and then between Apr 1944 and Sep 1944 its chief. Between Sep 1944 and Jun 1945, he served as the chief of the Quality Control Section of the Procurement Division. In Jun 1945, he was made deputy chief of the Procurement Division and chief of the Inspection Section, but very shortly after he was sent to the 501st Army Air Force Base Unit in Washington DC, United States for training in Air Transport Command policies and procedures. In Aug 1945, after the end of the European War, he was sent to Europe as the deputy division commander of the 1400th Army Air Force Base Unit. In Nov 1945, he was made the commanding officer of the European Wing (Provisional) of Air Transport Command.

ww2dbaseIn Apr 1946, Boatner was assigned to Army Air Force Headquarters as secretary of the air staff and executive to the deputy commander of the Army Air Force. In Jan 1947, he was made deputy chief of Air Staff in addition to his other duties. He was promoted to the rank of temporary brigadier general in Feb 1947. In Oct 1947, he was made the secretary of the Air Staff of the newly formed United States Air Force. In Feb 1948, he was made assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel and administration, and was promoted to the rank of temporary major general two months later. In May 1949, he was made assistant comptroller, and in Sep 1949 the assistant deputy chief of staff, comptroller. In Jul 1950, he was made the commanding officer of Air Proving Ground at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States. In Jul 1952, he was made the Inspector General of the US Air Force. In Sep 1952, he was promoted to the rank of temporary lieutenant general. In Apr 1954, he was made the deputy chief of staff, materiel. He retired from military service in Aug 1955. In Apr 1961 a private bill was passed by the United States Senate providing for his retirement pay. He passed away in Dec 1986. Like his older brother Haydon Boatner, Bryant Boatner was also buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States, though in a different section of the cemetery.

Photographs

Bryant Boatner Timeline