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[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|280px|''Time'' Aug. 13, 1945]]
[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|280px|''Time'' Aug. 13, 1945]]
'''Curtis Emerson LeMay''' (1906–1990) was a four-star general in the [[United States Air Force]] during and after [[World War II]]. He was in charge of the strategic bombing of Japan by the [[B-29]] in 1945, including the fire bombing of Tokyo and the atomic bombs. Although opposed to the use of the bombs, he agreed that it hastened the end of the war and saved millions of Japanese and American lives.
'''Curtis Emerson LeMay''' (1906–1990) was a four-star general in the [[United States Air Force]] during and after [[World War II]]. He was in charge of the strategic bombing of Japan by the [[B-29]] in 1945, including the fire bombing of Tokyo and the atomic bombs. Although originally opposed to the use of the bombs, he agreed that they hastened the end of the war and saved millions of Japanese and American lives.
He was the conservative vice presidential running mate of [[George C. Wallace]] in 1968, seeking the election on an independent party ticket.
He was the conservative vice presidential running mate of [[George C. Wallace]] in 1968, seeking the election on an independent party ticket.
LeMay opposed dropping the atomic bombs because he believed more firebomb raids would secure a surrender. He followed orders and dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
LeMay opposed dropping the atomic bombs because he believed more firebomb raids would secure a surrender. He followed orders and dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
===Cold War===
LeMay rose through the ranks of the Air Force, which became independent of the Army in 1947. He took command of the Strategic Air Command in 1957, and was promoted to the top job as USAF Chief of Staff in 1961, a position he held until his retirement in 1965.
LeMay rose through the ranks of the Air Force, which became independent of the Army in 1947. He took command of the Strategic Air Command in 1957, and was promoted to the top job as USAF Chief of Staff in 1961, a position he held until his retirement in 1965.
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.
[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General '''Curtis LeMay''', from the National Museum of the USAF]]
[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General '''Curtis LeMay''', from the National Museum of the USAF]]
==Politics==
Unexpectedly named the vice presidential running mate for independent candidate [[George Wallace]] in 1968, LeMay proved a mediocre campaigner. He called for using all available firepower, including nuclear weapons, to force North Vietnam to end the war quickly. He said that the United States was capable of "bombing Vietnam back into the stone age" and that the North Vietnamese should be aware of such power. LeMay felt any settlement in the Far East should protect free governments from communist takeovers. He quit politics after the race.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[World War II in the Air]]
* [[World War II in the Air]]
==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Coffey, Thomas M. ''Iron Eagle: The Times and Life of General Curtis LeMay'', (1986) the best biography.
* LeMay, Curtis. ''Mission with LeMay My Story'' with McKinlay Kantor (1965), autobiography
* LeMay, Curtis. ''Mission with LeMay My Story'' with McKinlay Kantor (1965), autobiography
* Kozak, Warren. ''LeMay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis LeMay'' (2009), from a conservative perspective [http://www.amazon.com/LeMay-Life-Wars-General-Curtis/dp/1596985690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249593357&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Kozak, Warren. ''LeMay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis LeMay'' (2009), from a conservative perspective [http://www.amazon.com/LeMay-Life-Wars-General-Curtis/dp/1596985690/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249593357&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]