Maj. Gen. Benjamin J. Webster Biography

Benjamin Jepson Webster was born in New Haven, Connecticut on April 4, 1911 and moved with his family to Hawaii in 1914. Upon his graduation from Punahou School in 1928, he was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in the Class of 1932 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps. 

Lt. Webster’s initial assignment was with the 64th Coast Artillery in Hawaii where he served until entering pilot training at Randolph Field, Texas in the fall of 1932. He received his pilot wings at Kelly Field in 1933 and today he is rated a command pilot. 

After graduation from flight school, Lt. Webster returned to Hawaii to serve with the 6th Pursuit Squadron. In June of 1937, he began a three year tour as a flight instructor at the Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas. Cpt Webster then served as a physics instructor at the United States Military Academy from 1940 until early 1942. 

In February of 1942, Lt. Col. Webster was named Director of Flying and Base Operations Officer at Stewart Field, New York. He subsequently served there as Director of Training until departing for overseas in the fall of 1943. 

Upon arrival in the European Theater in December 1943, Col Webster was named Executive Officer of the 67th Fighter Wing, Eight Air Force. He became Acting Chief of Staff, VIII Fighter Command in August 1944 and two months later assumed command of the VIII Fighter Command. 

In June of 1945, Col. Webster returned to the United States and assumed command of Stewart Field, New York, which he commanded until August, 1947, at which time he entered the Air War College, Maxwell Field, Alabama. He graduated the following June and was named Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 7th Air Division in Hawaii, becoming Director of Operations and Training of the Pacific Air Command there three months later. 

In July of 1949, Col. Webster was ordered to Air Force Headquarters, Washington, D. C., where he was designated Deputy Director of Program Standards and Cost Control in the office of the Comptroller. He was subsequently named Director of Management Analysis. 

After attending the National War College in 1952, Brigadier General Webster was named Chief of the Air Force Group, Joint American Military Mission for Aid to Turkey, with duty station in Ankara, Turkey. 

On September 1, 1955 he assumed command of the 30th Air Division (Defense) at Willow Run Air Force Station, Michigan. In January of 1957, he assumed additional duty as Commander of the 30th Continental Air Defense Division, also at Willow Run, Michigan. 

In August of 1957, Major General Webster was ordered to the Pentagon again, this time to serve as Director of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters USAF. 

In July of 1960, Major General Webster was assigned to Headquarters Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. The following year, on June 8, 1961, he became Chief of Staff, Air Defense Command. 

On January 1, 1964, he assumed command of Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe, with the rank of lieutenant general. 

General Webster was retired on October 31, 1966. 

Governor John A. Burns appointed General Webster the Adjutant General, State of Hawaii, on December 3, 1966 and he was sworn into office on December 5, 1966. As State Adjutant General, General Webster holds the rank of major general and heads the Department of Defense, State of Hawaii. In this capacity, he commands the Hawaii National Guard (Army and Air), is Director of State Civil Defense, and is a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. 

General Webster and his wife, the former Barbara Ann Adams of Bronxville, New York, have two sons, John Adams who is a Captain, USAF, and Thomas Benjamin. 

Education 

  • Graduate of Punahou School 1928 
  • Graduate of U.S. Military Academy 1932 
  • Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field 1933 
  • Air War College 1948 
  • National War College 1952

Service Dates

Jul 28Jun 32Cadet, U.S. Military Academy
Oct 32Jun 33Flying School, Randolph Field, Texas
Jun 33 Oct 33Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas
Nov 33 Apr 376th Pursuit Squadron, Wheeler Field, Hawaii
May 37Jun 40Instructor, Pursuit Section Kelly Field, Texas
Jul 40Feb 42Instructor, Dept. of Physics, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York
Feb 42Nov 43Director of Flying and Director of Training Stewart Field, New York
Dec 43May 45VIII Fighter Command, England and Belgium
Jun 45Aug 47Commander, Stewart Field, New York
Sep 47Jun 48Student, Air War College, Maxwell Field, Alabama
Jun 48Sep 48Assistant Chief of Staff, A-3, Hq., 7th Air Division, Honolulu, Hawaii
Sep 48Jul 49Director of Operations and Training, Pacific Air Command, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jul 49Jul 51Deputy Director, Program Standards and Cost Control, Headquarters, USAF, Washington, D. C.
Jul 51Apr 52Director, Program Standards and Cost Control, Headquarters, USAF, Washington, D. C.
Apr 52Aug 52Director of Management Analysis, Headquarters, USAF, Washington, D. C.
Aug 52Dec 52Student, National War College, Ft. McNair, D. C.
Feb 53Jul 55Chief, Air Force Group, Joint American Military Mission for Aid to Turkey, Ankara, Turkey
Jul 55Aug 57Commander, 30th Air Division (Defense), Willow Run Air Force Station, Michigan
Aug 57Jun 60Director of Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters, USAF, Washington, D.C.
Jul 60Jun 61Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, Colorado 
Jun 61Dec 63Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, Colorado
Jun 64Dec 66Commander, Allied Air Forces, Southern Europe
Oct 66PresentAdjutant General, State of Hawaii

Decorations and Medals

  • Air Medal, 1944 
  • Legion of Merit, 1945; OLC 1963 
  • Distinguished Service Medal, 1966 Army Commendation Medal, 1946 
  • American Defense Medal, 1942 
  • EAMECM, 1944 
  • AMERCM, 1943 
  • VMWWII, 1945 
  • MATDEFSM, 1951 
  • Croix de Guerre,1944