Curtis Emerson LeMay was an American Air Force general who implemented an effective but controversial strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific theater of World War II. He later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, from 1961 to 1965.
Official portrait, c. 1950s
Lieutenant Curtis LeMay in 1929
In 1938, three B-17s (one navigated by Lt. LeMay) intercept the Italian liner SS Rex 620 nm at sea
Colonel Curtis LeMay officially congratulates a bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress at Chelveston Airfield, England, June 2, 1943.
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The chief of staff of the Air Force is the service chief of the United States Air Force. They are the principal military advisor to the secretary of the Air Force on matter pertaining to the Air Force. They are a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and thereby a military adviser to the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the President. The chief of staff is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the Air Force, unless the chairman and/or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Air Force officers.
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
The special uniform cap of the CSAF. It is worn by the CJCS or the VCJCS when the incumbent of those positions is a USAF officer.
Image: Carl Spaatz, Air Force photo portrait, color
Image: Hoyt S Vandenberg
