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[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|260px|''Time'' Aug. 13, 1945]]

[[Image:Lemay45.jpg|thumb|260px|''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 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.

'''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.

==Career==

==Career==

LeMay, a ROTC graduate of Ohio State University, was commissioned in the Army Air Corps in 1930.<ref> The "Army Air Corps" became the "Army Air Forces" in 1941, and the [[United States Air Force]] in 1947.</ref> A versatile flier and consummate organizer, he rose rapidly during World War II. Promoted to major general in 1943, he commanded the 305th Bomber Group and 20th Bomber Command in Europe, which used the [[B-17]] and B-24 heavy bombers against Germany.  Shifted to China to fight Japan in 1944, he discovered China was a poor base for the B-29. He moved his bombers in the 21st Bomber Command to the Marianas in 1945 and, as lieutenant general, became commanding general of the 20th Air Force at Guam.  

LeMay, a ROTC graduate of Ohio State University, was commissioned in the Army Air Corps in 1930.<ref>The "Army Air Corps" became the "Army Air Forces" in 1941, and the [[United States Air Force]] in 1947.</ref> A versatile flier and consummate organizer, he rose rapidly during World War II. Promoted to major general in 1943, he commanded the 305th Bomber Group and 20th Bomber Command in Europe, which used the [[B-17]] and B-24 heavy bombers against Germany.  Shifted to China to fight Japan in 1944, he discovered China was a poor base for the B-29. He moved his bombers in the 21st Bomber Command to the Marianas in 1945 and, as lieutenant general, became commanding general of the 20th Air Force at Guam.  

LeMay always sought innovative engineering solutions to tactical problems. In Europe he had his bombers abandon the usual zigzag pattern of flight to avoid flak so they could have more accurate runs, and in the Pacific he removed the guns from the bombers, and flew over Japan at low altitudes, in order to carry heavier payloads.  

LeMay always sought innovative engineering solutions to tactical problems. In Europe he had his bombers abandon the usual zigzag pattern of flight to avoid flak so they could have more accurate runs, and in the Pacific he removed the guns from the bombers, and flew over Japan at low altitudes, in order to carry heavier payloads.  

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.  

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 ==

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[Strategic Air Command]]

* [[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.  

* 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]

* Tillman, Barrett. ''LeMay'' (Great Generals) (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/LeMay-Great-Generals-Barrett-Tillman/dp/0230613969/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249593357&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search], good popular biography

* Tillman, Barrett. ''LeMay'' (Great Generals) (2009) [http://www.amazon.com/LeMay-Great-Generals-Barrett-Tillman/dp/0230613969/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1249593357&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search], good popular biography

====references====

====References====

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[[category:Air Power]]

[[Category:Air Power]]

[[category:Cold War]]

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[category:1960s]]

[[Category:1960s]]

[[Category: World War II Commanders]]

[[Category:World War II Commanders]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

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