Background
Clayton Bissell was bor on July 29, 1896 in Pennsylvania, United States.
Clayton Bissell was bor on July 29, 1896 in Pennsylvania, United States.
Bissell graduated from Valparaiso University, Indiana, in 1917 with a degree of doctor of laws.
In addition to being a distinguished flyer, Bissell was an outstanding instructor at the Naval War College before serving on the WDGS. On 22 Feb 1942 Col Bissell took charge of air base construction in India for the 10th AF, commanding the new B-29 Superfortress outfit from 18 Aug 1942. Some sources say he was promoted to major general at that time, but the Army Almanac gives 13 Mar 1943 as his date of rank. Although Bissell was publicly criticized for not meeting construction schedules, even of doing this to obstruct the Chennault plan, it has been pointed out that he had inadequate US logistical support and was dependent on the British for engineering. A compromise over the competing Stiwell and Chennault plans led to Bissell’s recall on 19 Aug 1943.
The general became A2, Hq AAF. He was G2, WDGS and air attache in London until 1948. He then he served in the USAF Hq at Wiesbaden, Germany, before retiring as a major general. Testifying before Congress in 1950, he admitted helping cover up Soviet guilt in the Katyn Forest Massacre by misusing the top secret classification.