Edwin W. Rawlings
Encyclopedia
General Edwin William Rawlings, USAF (Ret), (September 11, 1904 – December 8, 1997) A Milroy, Minnesota
native, Rawlings graduated with an economics degree from Hamline University
in Saint Paul, Minnesota
.
He became a flying cadet in February 1929. Almost 25 years to the day later, he became one of USAF's youngest generals, confirmed for a fourth star at 49. He had also, by then earned an MBA from Harvard University
.
Eugene M. Zuckert
, Secretary of the Air Force from 1961 to 1965, credits Rawlings with building a mature, business-like" image for the newly established Air Force. Zuckert said Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington
asked him in 1945 why he had to "send out a search party" whenever he needed Army Air Forces statistics. Zuckert remembered a memo suggesting the creation of a comptroller position and passed the idea on to Symington.
In 1951, Rawlings became commander of Air Material Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, leading USAF's procurement and logistics efforts for seven years. Air Force Chief of Staff Thomas D. White
credited him with spectacular increases in the effectiveness of the Air Force logistics, ... accomplished through new management methods, concepts, and philosophy, and thus the Air Force has been able to match the tempo of the jet, missile, and space era.
Rawlings was a command pilot and combat and aircraft observer, whose decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal
and Distinguished Flying Cross
, which he received in 1930 for his role in the rescue of an aircrew downed in the Pacific. He also received the Soldier's Medal
in 1954 for rescuing his pilot who was lying underneath a B-17 Flying Fortress that caught fire after landing at Wright-Patterson.
, rising to become president and board chairman. During his second career, General Rawlings introduced corporate social responsibility
and adapted the Delphi method
for corporate strategic planning.
Based in St. Paul, the Air Force Association's Gen. E. W. Rawlings Chapter was chartered in August 1982. During 1997, he died in Auburn, Washington
at age 93. Also in his name, AFA and AEF in 1981 established the Gen.. Edwin W. Rawlings Award initially to recognize energy conservation
achievements within USAF. Now the award recognizes and outstanding technician or manager in environmental
matters.
Milroy, Minnesota
Milroy is a city in Redwood County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 252 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.Milroy is located along Minnesota Highway 68....
native, Rawlings graduated with an economics degree from Hamline University
Hamline University
-Red Wing location :Hamline was named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a bishop of the Methodist Church whose interest in the frontier led him to donate $25,000 toward the building of an institution of higher learning in what was then the territory of Minnesota. Today, a statue of Bishop Hamline...
in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
.
He became a flying cadet in February 1929. Almost 25 years to the day later, he became one of USAF's youngest generals, confirmed for a fourth star at 49. He had also, by then earned an MBA from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
Eugene M. Zuckert
Eugene M. Zuckert
Eugene Martin Zuckert was the seventh Secretary of the Air Force from January 23, 1961 to September 30, 1965. During his service as secretary, he witnessed the shifting of decision-making powers from the military departments to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, a process that continued...
, Secretary of the Air Force from 1961 to 1965, credits Rawlings with building a mature, business-like" image for the newly established Air Force. Zuckert said Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington
Stuart Symington
William Stuart Symington was a businessman and political figure from Missouri. He served as the first Secretary of the Air Force from 1947 to 1950 and was a Democratic United States Senator from Missouri from 1953 to 1976.-Education and business career:...
asked him in 1945 why he had to "send out a search party" whenever he needed Army Air Forces statistics. Zuckert remembered a memo suggesting the creation of a comptroller position and passed the idea on to Symington.
Air comptroller pioneer
In November 1946, Symington named Rawlings as air comptroller, helping to organize the office. The position was so successful and struck such a note—Rawlings did such a magnificent job—they adopted the idea of a comptroller for all three services. Zuckert said, "This was a very important step in the development of a postwar Air Force."In 1951, Rawlings became commander of Air Material Command at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, leading USAF's procurement and logistics efforts for seven years. Air Force Chief of Staff Thomas D. White
Thomas D. White
General Thomas Dresser White was the fourth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.White was born in Walker, Minnesota, in 1901...
credited him with spectacular increases in the effectiveness of the Air Force logistics, ... accomplished through new management methods, concepts, and philosophy, and thus the Air Force has been able to match the tempo of the jet, missile, and space era.
Rawlings was a command pilot and combat and aircraft observer, whose decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
and Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, which he received in 1930 for his role in the rescue of an aircrew downed in the Pacific. He also received the Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
in 1954 for rescuing his pilot who was lying underneath a B-17 Flying Fortress that caught fire after landing at Wright-Patterson.
Ongoing mentorships
After retiring from USAF in 1959, he went on to a career with General MillsGeneral Mills
General Mills, Inc. is an American Fortune 500 corporation, primarily concerned with food products, which is headquartered in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. The company markets many well-known brands, such as Betty Crocker, Yoplait, Colombo, Totinos, Jeno's, Pillsbury, Green...
, rising to become president and board chairman. During his second career, General Rawlings introduced corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
and adapted the Delphi method
Delphi method
The Delphi method is a structured communication technique, originally developed as a systematic, interactive forecasting method which relies on a panel of experts.In the standard version, the experts answer questionnaires in two or more rounds...
for corporate strategic planning.
Based in St. Paul, the Air Force Association's Gen. E. W. Rawlings Chapter was chartered in August 1982. During 1997, he died in Auburn, Washington
Auburn, Washington
-Parks:Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails comprising 29 developed parks, 5 undeveloped sites under planning, 2 skate parks, 2 water roatary parks, and over of trails , and almost of open space for passive and active recreation.-Environmental Park:The Auburn...
at age 93. Also in his name, AFA and AEF in 1981 established the Gen.. Edwin W. Rawlings Award initially to recognize energy conservation
Energy conservation
Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources...
achievements within USAF. Now the award recognizes and outstanding technician or manager in environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
matters.
External links
- Air Force Association USAF Mentorship Artist profile
- American Airpower Biography: A Survey of the Field