Irving L. Branch | |
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Born | Keokuk, Iowa, US | 1 August 1912
Died | 3 January 1966 Puget Sound, Washington, US | (aged 53)
Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia US |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army (1935–1947) United States Air Force (1947–1966) |
Years of service | 1934–1966 |
Rank | Major General |
Commands |
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Battles/wars | |
Awards |
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.