SQUADRON LINKS

OTHER SITE LINKS

A Photo Gallery of Our Namesake
Gen Curtis E. LeMay

Destined to retire as the Air Force Chief of Staff more than 35 years later, Lt. Curtis E. Lemay appeared on the aviation scene in 1929 -- a young airpower enthusiast, fresh from pilot training, proudly wearing his wings and his Sam Browne belt.

This early photo of then Lieutenant LeMay (center with helmet and goggles) was taken during the National Air Races at Chicago in 1930. The unidentified officers are also members of the 1st Pursuit Group.

After completing a nonstop flight from Hokkaido, Japan, to Chicago, Ill., in a Boeing B-29 Super Fortress in 1945, a tired General LeMay was greeted in Washington, D.C., by fellow Air Force Generals Emmett O'Donnell, Henry H. Arnold and Barney M. Giles.

General LeMay reached the summit of his Air Force career on June 30, 1961, when he was sworn in as Chief of Staff by Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert.Observing the ceremony in the rose garden of the White House are the late President John F. Kennedy and then Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.

General LeMay accepts a Boy Scout badge from a 10-year-old scout during a Pentagon ceremony in January 1963 to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of scouting. Always interested in the youth of America, and once a Boy Scout himself, General LeMay credited scouting with helping him wear the stars of a general.

A distinguished looking General LeMay announces his retirement plans following two tours as Air Force Chief of Staff. Now in the twilight of a brillant military career, General LeMay retires on February 1 1965 after 35 years' service in the U.S. Air Force.