Learning Center Our Enshrinees

Curtis Emerson LeMay

---

Military Strategist & Pilot

Born: November 15, 1906 in Columbus, Ohio
Death: October 1, 1990
Enshrined:  1972

Participated in the B-17 mass flight to South America in 1938.

Won the 2nd Bomb Group the Mackay Trophy for outstanding aerial achievement.

Pioneered air routes over the South Atlantic to Africa, and the North Atlantic to England.

Organized and trained the 305th Bombardment Group, developing formation procedures and bombing tactics.

Led the Regensburg raid, a B-17 shuttle striking Germany and Africa during World War II.

Planned the B-29 air raids over Japan during World War II.

Piloted a B-29 in a record flight from Japan to Chicago, Illinois following World War II.

Organized the Berlin Airlift as commander of the U.S. Air Force in Europe.

Assumed the command of the new SAC (Strategic Air Command) in 1948 where he laid plans for the ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile).

Served as the USAF Vice Chief of Staff from 1957 to 1961 and USAF Chief of Staff from 1961 to 1965.