This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Alkire, Darr Hayes, Brig Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Fay, Nevada
Last Address Honolulu, Hawaii
Date of Passing Jul 22, 1977
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
He was the commander of 3 different bomb groups during WWII. He was the 1st commander of the famous 100th Bomb Gp., "The Bloody Hundredth". While commanding the 449th BG, he was shot down on the coast of Italy and became a POW. He also served with distinction in the Korean War. He retired from the USAF Nov 1, 1956.
His AFDSM citation: Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (Army Design) to Brigadier General Darr H. Alkire (AFSN: 298A/ASN: 0-16639), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, during the period 27 June 1950 to 1 June 1952.
General Orders: Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 27 (June 20, 1952)
His Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during the Korean War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Brigadier General Darr H. Alkire (AFSN: 298A/0-16639), United States Air Force, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Deputy for Materiel, FAR EAST Air Forces, in Korea, during the period July through November 1950. General Alkire was charged with assuring the constant and uninterrupted flow of materiel and the development of air bases to insure full Air Force effectiveness. By virtue of frequent visits to the most forward airfields, and both ground and aerial surveys of the combat area, General Alkire was able to fulfill his responsibilities and also complete plans for the earliest possible utilization of advanced airfields after their liberation. During these actions he was constantly subject to enemy and ground attack. The judgment, initiative, and devotion to duty shown by General Alkire materially contributed to the success of the United States Air Force and were in keeping with the highest military traditions.
Model Consolidated B-24J Liberator Length 67.16 ft | 20.47 m Width 110.01 ft | 33.53 m Height 18.01 ft | 5.49 m Engine(s) 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 radial piston engines generating 1,200hp. Empty Weight 36,500 lbs | 16,556 kg MTOW 65,001 lbs | 29,484 kg Max Speed 290 mph | 467 km/h | 252 kts Max Range 2,001 miles | 3,220 km Ceiling 28,002 ft | 8,535 m | 5.3 miles Climb Rate 800 ft/min (243.84 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose assembly. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail assembly. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in upper-fuselage turret. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in under-fuselage assembly. 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in left-waist fuselage position. 1 x 12.7mm machine gun in right-waist fuselage position.
Up to 8,800lbs of internal bombs. Accommodations 10 Operators the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
* Model 31 - Flying Boat Model whose wing assembly would become the basis for the B-24 design. * Model 32 - Base B-24 Model Series Designation. * XB-24 - Initial Prototype Model Designation fitted with R-1830-33 radial piston engines generating 1,200hp. * YB-24 - Preproduction Model Designation * B-24A - Fitted with 2 x 7.62mm tail guns, 6 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose assembly, dorsal and waist gun positions. * B-24C - Fitted with turbocharged R-1830-41 engines; 8 x 12.7mm machine guns - nose (single gun), ventral, waist (left and right), dorsal turret (two guns) and tail turret (two guns). * B-24D - Based on the B-24C model but fitted with R-1830-43 engines; later models of this series would feature the twin 12.7mm ball turret gun assembly in the ventral fuselage position; self-sealing fuel tanks; 2,381 produced. * B-24E - Modified propeller systems; 801 produced. * B-24G - Fitted with R-1830-43 engines; powered nose turret with 2 x 12.7mm machine guns. * B-24H - Improved Model with extended nose section; 3,100 produced. * B-24J - Fitted with R-1830-65 engines; improved bombsight; autopilot functionality; 6,678 produced. * B-24L - Based on B-24J model but fitted with hand-operated tail guns; 1,667 produced. * B-24M - Based on B-24J model with lighter mounting for hand-operated tail gun; 2,593 produced. * XB-24Q - General Electric Conversion Model of B-24L model fitted with radio-controlled tail turret. * B-24Q - Final Production Model Designation * B-24Q * LB-30 - Transport Variant * C-87 - Air Force Transport Variant * RY - Navy Transport Variant * C-109 - Fuel Tanking Model * F-7 - Photographic Reconnaissance Model * PB4Y-1 - Patrol Bombing Model * PB4Y-2 - Specialized Model with single vertical tail surface assembly. * GR - British Maritime Reconnaissance Model.
