H. M. Darmstandler

Who is H. M. Darmstandler?

Harry Max Darmstandler was an American Air Force major general who was special assistant to the chief of staff for B-1 Matters, Headquarters, United States Air Force, Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he coordinated Air Force activities related to the B-1 bomber.

Darmstandler was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1922, where he graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1940. He received a bachelor of science degree in military science from the University of Omaha, in 1964, and a master of science degree in international relations from The George Washington University, in 1965.

He entered the aviation cadet program in Santa Ana, California, in May 1942 and graduated at Luke Air Field, Arizona, as a pilot and second lieutenant in February 1943.

During World War II, Darmstandler served as an instructor pilot in the Air Training Command, and later as aircraft commander of a B-24 crew assigned to the 456th Bombardment Group in Italy. He flew 21 combat missions and remained in Italy after V-E Day through July 1945, flying gasoline and oil into Trieste. In September 1945 he separated from active duty, retaining a commission in the Army Air Corps Reserve.