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There is no biographical file for pilot Alexander in the archives of the National Air & Space Museum (NASM), Washington, DC.

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Your copy of the Davis-Monthan Airfield Register with all the pilots' signatures and helpful cross-references to pilots and their aircraft is available at the link. Or use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author. ISBN 978-0-9843074-0-1.

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http://www.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifThe Congress of Ghosts is an anniversary celebration for 2010.  It is an historical biography, that celebrates the 5th year online of www.dmairfield.org and the 10th year of effort on the project dedicated to analyze and exhibit the history embodied in the Register of the Davis-Monthan Airfield, Tucson, AZ. This book includes over thirty people, aircraft and events that swirled through Tucson between 1925 and 1936. It includes across 277 pages previously unpublished photographs and texts, and facsimiles of personal letters, diaries and military orders. Order your copy at the link, or use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author.  ISBN 978-0-9843074-4-9.

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EDWARD HARRISON ALEXANDER

E.H. Alexander (b. January 4, 1902; d. November 14, 1978) landed at Tucson once, probably on Wednesday, June 24, 1931. He did not enter an arrival date or time, but he appeared to be accompanied by another Army pilot that did. He was Joseph P. Bailey. Both flew Douglas BT-2Bs; Alexander identified his as "345" and Bailey as "147." Based at Riverside, CA March Field, they were eastbound to El Paso, TX. Alexander carried Paul B. Wurtsmith and Bailey carried a Lt. W.P. Sloan as passengers.

Alexander's official Air Force biography, current to 1954, is at the link. He earned his wings as a member of the Brooks Field class of 1928. He is cited on page 21 of this document (PDF 14Mb) found at the Benton Remmers "Lucky" Baldwin Photograph and Document Collection. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General. He was nominated for Brigadier in June, 1943 and his nomination was announced in The New York Times of July, 2, 1943. The article puts him in good company. Other Register pilots nominated at the same time were. William H. Tunner, Harold A. Bartron, Walter R. Peck, Myron R. Wood, Ross G. Hoyt, Hugh J. Knerr Ned Schram (sic) and Earl S. Hoag.

E.H. Alexander & G.B. Topping, April 29, 1944 (Source: Web)
E.H. Alexander & G.B. Topping, April 29, 1944 (Source: Web)

 

WWII was an important time for Alexander. Time Magazine of May 8, 1944 carried the following announcement: "Married. Gloria Baker Topping [1920-1975], 24, café-society glamor girl of 1937, Bromo-Seltzer heiress ($10,000,000); and Brigadier General Edward Harrison Alexander, 42, commander of the Caribbean wing of the Air Transport Command...." They were married in West Palm Beach, FL on April 29th as shown in the photograph, left. We can presume their marriage was sudden, because the Gettysburg (PA) Times of April 25, 1944 announced their engagement at Palm Beach. Ms. Topping and her former husband had a daughter in 1940, Sandra Emerson Topping.

Alexander didn't have much time with his new bride, since, shortly after his marriage, Life Magazine of September 11, 1944 reported him transferred from the Caribbean to the China-Burma-India Theater in charge of "The Hump" operations there. While there he might have brushed shoulders with Register pilot Lee Willey.

After WWII, he was involved with the Berlin Airlift and the 61st Troop Carrier Wing. He appears online in a brief motion picture film from 1949 (look for him at about 1:10 into the film clip). The footage was shot at Frankfurt, Germany and documents the last Vittles aircraft on its way to Berlin. According to The New York Times of January 14, 1951, Alexander was transferred from Germany to Washington, DC near that date.

The New York Times of September 27, 1960 announced the society marriage of Alexander's step daughter, Sandra Emerson Topping. She had been introduced to society September 11, 1957 at a "supper dance" given in her honor by "... Mrs. Alexander and Brig. Gen. Alexander, U.S.A.F., retired.... Alexander had retired in 1956.

I have no other information about General Alexander. He has a sparse Web presence. If you can help complete his background, please let me know.

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THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 07/14/12 REVISED:

 
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I'm looking for photographs of this airplane to include on this page. If you have some you'd like to share, please click this FORM to contact me.

Thanks to Guest Editor Bob Woodling for help researching this page.

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OTHER BOOKS FOR YOU

Military Aircraft of the Davis Monthan Register, 1925-1936 is available at the link. This book describes and illustrates with black & white photographs the majority of military aircraft that landed at the Davis-Monthan Airfield between 1925 and 1936. The book includes biographies of some of the pilots who flew the aircraft to Tucson as well as extensive listings of all the pilots and airplanes. Use this FORM to order a copy signed by the author. ISBN 978-0-9843074-2-5.

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