December 1943, when he returned to the War Department Decorations Board, serving until March 1946. Milling again retired on July 24, 1946. He died at Walter Reed General Hospital on November 26, 1960. Although Milling never actively served as a general officer, he was advanced on the retired list to the rank of brigadier general, with his date of rank retroactive to June 13, 1940. General Milling has been awarded a number of decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal; Legion of Merit; Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, degree of Honorary Officer; Officer of the Order of Leopold (Belgium); French Legion d'Honneur (Chevalier). Milling was also a member of the Early Birds of Aviation, a celebrated group of fliers who soloed before December 17, 1916. Additional sources Thomas DeWitt Milling Document Collection, Biographical Note; Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Archives Coffey, Thomas M., Hap: the Story of the U.S. Air Force and the Man Who Built It, General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Viking Press (1982) Nalty, Bernard C., editor, Winged Shield, Winged Sword: A History of the United States Air Force (1997), References External links Thomas DeWitt Milling; earlyaviators.com 1887 births 1960 deaths Aerial warfare pioneers American people of World War II Wright brothers American aviators Aviators from Louisiana Members of the Early Birds of Aviation United States Military Academy alumni Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Recipients of the Legion of Merit Honorary Officers of the Order of the British Empire Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army Air Forces generals