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[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General '''Curtis LeMay''', from the National Museum of the [[United States Air Force|USAF]]]]

[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General '''Curtis LeMay''', from the National Museum of the [[United States Air Force|USAF]]]]

'''Curtis Emerson LeMay''' (1906–1990) was a four-star general in the [[United States Air Force]] during and after [[World War II]]. He was the vice presidential running mate of [[George C. Wallace]] in 1968, seeking the election on an independent party ticket.

'''Curtis Emerson LeMay''' (1906–1990) was a four-star general in the [[United States Air Force]] during and after [[World War II]]. He was the conservative vice presidential running mate of [[George C. Wallace]] in 1968, seeking the election on an independent party ticket.

During World War II, LeMay ran the systematic strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theater. He was in charge of the bombing of Japan by the [[B-29]], including the dropping of two atomic bombs in August, 1945.  He argued it hastened the end of the war and saved millions of Japanese and American lives.

During World War II, LeMay ran the systematic strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theater. He was in charge of the bombing of Japan by the [[B-29]], including the dropping of two atomic bombs in August, 1945.  He argued it hastened the end of the war and saved millions of Japanese and American lives.

 

At the beginning of the [[Cold War]], LeMay managed the [[Berlin Airlift]] in 1948. Subsequently he took over the fledgling [[Strategic Air Command]] and for ten years he built it into the professional, disciplined, and powerful organization that kept the peace for thirty-five years after he left it.  

At the beginning of the [[Cold War]], LeMay managed the [[Berlin Airlift]]. Subsequently he took over the fledgling [[Strategic Air Command]] and for ten years he built it into the professional, disciplined, and powerful organization that kept the peace for thirty-five years after he left it.  

He consistently argued for more aggressive action by the United States during the [[Cold War]].  During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], LeMay put his bombers on alert and wanted Kennedy's approval to bomb Cuba.

He consistently argued for more aggressive action by the United States during the [[Cold War]].  During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], LeMay put his bombers on alert and wanted Kennedy's approval to bomb Cuba.

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[World War II in the Air]]

* [[World War II in the Air]]

[[category:Air Power]]

[[category:Air Power]]

[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|300px|''Time'' Aug. 13, 1945]]

[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|300px|''Time'' Aug. 13, 1945]]