William G. Draper
William Grafton Draper | |
|---|---|
 Draper in full military outfit | |
| Born | June 28, 1920 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, United States |
| Died | November 26, 1964 (aged 44) Camp Springs, Prince George's, Maryland, United States |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | Air Force |
| Years of service | 1942-1964 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Known for | Command Pilot for Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Alma mater | University of Maryland |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Draper |
| Children | 1 |
.jpg)
William G. Draper (June 28, 1920 – November 26, 1964) was a career military officer and personal pilot to President Dwight D. Eisenhower[1] during his presidency.
Early life
[edit]He was born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He graduated from Central High School in Washington, D.C. in 1939.
Military service
[edit]He obtained his CAA private and commercial licenses in 1940, and in 1941 received his instructor's rating at the Wilmington, Delaware airport. In November 1942 he joined the United States Army Air Forces and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He was assigned to Air Transport Command North Atlantic Wing ferrying B-17 Flying Fortress bombers to England and North Africa. He later was assigned to the Air Transport Command India-China Division "Fireball Line," which flew supplies and equipment in the China-Burma-India Theater from Miami to Assam, India. After the war William became a pilot for the Special Air Mission Squadron at National Airport in Washington.
Working with Eisenhower
[edit]
Colonel Draper was the pilot of Eisenhower's presidential plane "Columbine II," the predecessor of what we now call "Air Force One." He appeared on an episode of What's My Line on May 22, 1955.[2]
Death
[edit]After being assigned to the Alaska Command when Eisenhower left the White House in January 1961, Draper suffered a heart attack in 1963 which ended his service as a pilot, which he had been continuously since he was 19.[3] On November 26, 1964, he committed suicide by hanging himself,[3] reportedly depressed. Draper was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.
References
[edit]- ^ Government Printing Office. U.S. Government Organization Manual 1955-1956. Washington, DC: GPO. p. 62.
- ^ "What's My Line? - Season 6, Episode 38: EPISODE #259 - TV.com". tv.com. Archived from the original on 2014-04-08.
- ^ a b "Eisenhower Pilot Found Hanged in Home in a Washington Suburb; Served General in 1950 to '61—Wife Says Heart Attack Left Draper Despondent". The New York Times. 26 November 1964.
External links
[edit]- [1] Papers and Records of Col. William G. Draper, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
- New York Times obituary of William G. Draper
- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/lifestyle/2014/11/24/local-history-cuyahoga-falls-aviator/10606419007/