Idwal H. Edwards
Idwal Hubert Edwards (5 April 1895 – 25 November 1981), born in Freedom, New York, was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force; he was a distinguished commander, rated command pilot, combat observer and aircraft observer. Early life and education. His father was Daniel Edwards, native of Wales, Pennsylvania, a Baptist minister serving churches across Pennsylvania. Idwal Edwards entered Bloomsburg State Normal School in December 1911 to prepare for a teaching career. He graduated from Bloomsburg State College (Bloomsberg State Normal School), class of 24 June 1914. He was honored at commencement for excelling in both  scholarship and teaching ability. Before joining the military, Edwards became principal of schools in Sterling, near Scranton, and entered Brown University in fall 1916. After joining the army and gaining his commission as an officer, Edwards attended the Command and General Staff School before attending the Army War College in 1938. Military career. He entered the army in 1917 in the infantry, and in February 1918 was transferred to the Army Air Service, a part of the Signal Corps at the time. Edwards was later chief of staff for the European Theater of Operations during a period of World War  II. He helped creat the Code of Conduct for U.S. servicemen who become prisoners of war at the direction of President Dwight D. Eisenhower because of the "brain washing" of American prisoners during the Korean War. Edwards is credited as a force that helped to bring the practice of segregation in the military to an end. While assigned as deputy chief of staff for personnel, concerning the issue of integrating the military, Edwards stated segregation was unnecessary, promised eventual integration, but also stated that segregation remained Air Force policy. As evidence of progress, Edwards pointed to the peaceful integration of  black officers in training at Randolph Field. Edwards further stated that air force policy was considered "the best way to make this thing work under present conditions." Later Edwards told Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington, perhaps some recommendation "looking toward the integration of whites and negroes in the same units may be forthcoming" from the Air Board's study of racial policy which was to commence the first week in May. 26 July 1948, President Harry S. Truman's executive order eventually ended racial segregation in the armed forces with the last all-Black unit disbanded in  1952. Awards and decorations. Foreign awards include: Commander of the Order of the British Empire Commander of the French Legion of Honour Personal life and retirement. In retirement, Edwards was president of the Retired Officers Association, and president of the Army & Navy Club in Washington. Edwards lived in Arlington, Virginia, since retiring from the air force, died of cardio-respiratory failure at the Woodbine nursing home in Alexandria, Virginia. Survivors included his wife, Katharine (née Bierman), one daughter, Katharine Picek, three sisters, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.