In May 1945, Sessums was appointed chief of staff of the XXII Tactical Air Command. In June 1945, he was named chief of staff of the [[Twelfth Air Force]], which was operating in the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army|Mediterranean Theater]].<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In May 1945, Sessums was appointed chief of staff of the XXII Tactical Air Command. In June 1945, he was named chief of staff of the [[Twelfth Air Force]], which was operating in the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army|Mediterranean Theater]].<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In August 1945, Sessums was appointed the assistant chief of Research and Development at the Air Materiel Command at [[Wright and Patterson Fields]] near [[Dayton]], [[Ohio]].<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In August 1945, Sessums was appointed the assistant chief of Research and Development at the Air Materiel Command at [[Wright and Patterson Fields]] near [[Dayton]], [[Ohio]].<ref name=”AFbio”/>
===Post-war===
===Post-war===
In September 1949, Sessums was designated director of Research and Development at Air Materiel Command headquarters at Wright and Patterson Fields. In February 1951, Sessums was appointed the command’s deputy commanding general. In April 1951, became director of operations of the command. In June 1951, the command was moved to [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], and Sessums relocated along with it. In August 1951, he was named the command’s deputy for development.<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In September 1949, Sessums was designated director of Research and Development at Air Materiel Command headquarters at Wright and Patterson Fields. In February 1951, Sessums was appointed the command’s deputy commanding general. In April 1951, became director of operations of the command. In June 1951, the command was moved to [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], and Sessums relocated along with it. In August 1951, he was named the command’s deputy for development.<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In October 1952, Sessums assumed the position of commander of the [[Twelfth Air Force]] (located in [[The Philippines]]) and also became vice commander of the Air Research and Development Command.<ref name=”AFbio”/>
In October 1952, Sessums assumed the position of commander of the [[ Air Force]] (located in [[The Philippines]]) and also became vice commander of the Air Research and Development Command.<ref name=”AFbio”/>
==Military decorations and medals==
== and ==
===Military decorations and medals===
*[[Legion of Merit]] (2)<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Legion of Merit]] (2)<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Bronze Star Medal]]<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Bronze Star Medal]]<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Order of the Crown of Thailand]], Second Class<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Order of the Crown of Thailand]], Second Class<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Philippine Legion of Honor]]<ref name=”AFbio”/>
*[[Philippine Legion of Honor]]<ref name=”AFbio”/>
===Civilian honors===
Sessums was conferred an [[Honorary degree|honorary]] doctor of science degree by [[Adamson University]] on 20 March 1954.<ref name=”AFbio”/>
==Later life==
==Later life==
John Walker Sessums Jr. (1904–July 20, 1989)
https://archivesspace.lib.lehigh.edu/repositories/3/top_containers/13011?&filter_fields[]=child_container_u_sstr&filter_values[]=Folder+07
https://www.oprah.com/world/o-magazines-story-of-sean-sessums-means-heir-of-doris-duke
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Documents/1964/May%201964/0564missile.pdf
http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/10-19/13%20AIR%20FORCE.pdf
Early life and education
Sessums was born in 1904 in Little Rock, Arkansas. in his youth, he and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Sessums graduated high school in Memphis in 1922. In 1926, he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor of science.[1]
Military career
Early service
On 2 June 1926, Sessums as a second lieutenant in the Engineering Reserve (United States Army Corps of Engineers).[1]
Sessums was appointed a flying cadet in June 1928. One year later, he graduated from the Army flying school and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Reserve (United States Army Reserve) and assigned to active duty. On 4 September 1929, he was given a regular commission as a second lieutnenat of the Air Corps. Sessums was first assigned to serve as a pilot and armament officer at Maxwell Field in Alabama.[1]
Sessums served as an aide-de-camp to Major General Preston Brown at Quarry Heights in the Panama Canal Zone.[1]
In September 1934, Sessums began attending the Air Corps Engineering School. He graduated in June 1935. After this, he was assigned to Wright Field in Ohio. At Wright Field, he first worked as a project officer on aircraft engines and aircraft. He next worked as a member of the field’s commander.[1]
World War II
In May 1942, Sessums was transferred to work as a fighter project officer at the headquarters of the Army Air Forces in Washington, D.C.. In April 1942, he became the chief of the Aircraft Production Division at the headquarters.[1]
In January 1945, Sessums began serving as chief of plans for the XXII Tactical Air Command stationed in Italy. He flew 22 combat missions for the XXII Tactical Air Command. Sessums was awarded a Bronze Star for his ground work behind enemy lines in Italy.[1]
In May 1945, Sessums was appointed chief of staff of the XXII Tactical Air Command. In June 1945, he was named chief of staff of the Twelfth Air Force, which was operating in the Mediterranean Theater.[1]
In August 1945, Sessums was appointed the assistant chief of Research and Development at the Air Materiel Command at Wright and Patterson Fields near Dayton, Ohio.[1]
Post-war
,_USAF_portrait_circa_early_1950s.jpg)
In August 1946, Sessums began attending the National War College. He graduated in June 1947, and was thereafter appointed vice deputy chief of staff of Air Staff for Research and Development (serving under General Curtis LeMay).[1]
In October 1947, Sessums was named deputy director of Research and Development and chief of staff for Materiel at the headquarters in The Pentagon.[1]
In September 1949, Sessums was designated director of Research and Development at Air Materiel Command headquarters at Wright and Patterson Fields. In February 1951, Sessums was appointed the command’s deputy commanding general. In April 1951, became director of operations of the command. In June 1951, the command was moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and Sessums relocated along with it. In August 1951, he was named the command’s deputy for development.[1]
In October 1952, Sessums assumed the position of commander of the Thirteenth Air Force (located in The Philippines) and also became vice commander of the Air Research and Development Command. He was relieved from his assignment as the commander of the Thirteenth Air Force in September 1954, being reassigned vice commander of the Air Research and Development Command.[1]
Awards and recognition
Military decorations and medals
Civilian honors
Sessums was conferred an honorary doctor of science degree by Adamson University on 20 March 1954.[1]
Later life
Sessums died on 20 July 1989.[2]
