Personal Memories of General Curtis LeMay
Fri May 22, 2009 9:58 pm
Here's a few personal memories that my Dad told me about General Curtis LeMay, the BIG boss of the Strategic Air Command in the early '50s.
My Dad was a flight engineer in Boeing KC-97 tankers in the early days of of the first truly operational SAC refueling squadrons in the early '50s. Upon a new assignment to a base in Texas, for some reason, my Dad's group did not have their uniforms and flight gear forwarded to them in time. An inspection by General LeMay was upcoming, so my Dad's crew went down to the local Sears Roebuck store and bought overalls and plaid flannel shirts and showed up the next morning in front of their KC-97 in their new attire, ready for inspection. Believe me, General LeMay was not at all happy; they all got a real ass-chewing!
In order to receive "flight pay," USAF officers needed to log at least 4 hours a month (I believe this is the correct count). General LeMay often bumped my Dad's normal command pilot in the KC-97s to get his required monthly hours. While everybody else wore their "50-mission crush" hats, General LeMay always wore his hat with the stiffener installed, looking like some kind of Russian infantry general. He was the only one that did this while flying. I don't know what the directives were regarding in-flight smoking at the time, but he A-L-W-A-Y-S, and I do mean A-L-W-A-Y-S, had a big cigar chomped in his jaws, sometimes lit, sometimes not. He had a simply huge command presence though, to be sure. Good times!
My Dad was a flight engineer in Boeing KC-97 tankers in the early days of of the first truly operational SAC refueling squadrons in the early '50s. Upon a new assignment to a base in Texas, for some reason, my Dad's group did not have their uniforms and flight gear forwarded to them in time. An inspection by General LeMay was upcoming, so my Dad's crew went down to the local Sears Roebuck store and bought overalls and plaid flannel shirts and showed up the next morning in front of their KC-97 in their new attire, ready for inspection. Believe me, General LeMay was not at all happy; they all got a real ass-chewing!
In order to receive "flight pay," USAF officers needed to log at least 4 hours a month (I believe this is the correct count). General LeMay often bumped my Dad's normal command pilot in the KC-97s to get his required monthly hours. While everybody else wore their "50-mission crush" hats, General LeMay always wore his hat with the stiffener installed, looking like some kind of Russian infantry general. He was the only one that did this while flying. I don't know what the directives were regarding in-flight smoking at the time, but he A-L-W-A-Y-S, and I do mean A-L-W-A-Y-S, had a big cigar chomped in his jaws, sometimes lit, sometimes not. He had a simply huge command presence though, to be sure. Good times!
Last edited by octane130 on Sat May 23, 2009 8:28 am, edited 9 times in total.
Fri May 22, 2009 10:22 pm
"Sir, doesn't the General know that his cigar might catch the plane on fire?"
"It wouldn't dare."
Jimmy Stewart, in the movie, "Strategic Air Command" and probably a true story!
God Rest General Le May the Father of Strategic Air Command. Thank you General for making Peace Our Profession. You won the Cold War!
Peace through Strength, Victory through Devestation!!
From a former Crew Chief of B-52G 57-6476 2nd Bomb Wing, 2nd Organizational Maintenace Squadron Barksdale AFB, LA 1988-1992
The biggest , the oldest and the best Bomb Wing in the Air Force.
Thanks Octane for sharing your dad's story. Write it down and record it somehow for future generations. Too many are lost to time. I missed too many from my dad before he passed.
"It wouldn't dare."
Jimmy Stewart, in the movie, "Strategic Air Command" and probably a true story!
God Rest General Le May the Father of Strategic Air Command. Thank you General for making Peace Our Profession. You won the Cold War!
Peace through Strength, Victory through Devestation!!
From a former Crew Chief of B-52G 57-6476 2nd Bomb Wing, 2nd Organizational Maintenace Squadron Barksdale AFB, LA 1988-1992
The biggest , the oldest and the best Bomb Wing in the Air Force.
Thanks Octane for sharing your dad's story. Write it down and record it somehow for future generations. Too many are lost to time. I missed too many from my dad before he passed.
Fri May 22, 2009 11:50 pm
I read somewhere that the reason he always had a cigar was to help hide the facial nerve problem he had, I can't remember what the problem is called.
Curits Lemay had Bell's Palsy
Sat May 23, 2009 2:27 pm
Can't recollect where I read this. I did have colleague with the same malady; his went away after a few months
Sat May 23, 2009 6:54 pm
Bells Palsy ? (sp)
Sat May 23, 2009 7:11 pm
I heard Gen Lemay Had a cabin on the Rogue River in Oregon. It's still there, and they call it the General's Cabin.
Sat May 23, 2009 10:57 pm
I met his grandson year in Harlingen at one of the last shows there...
Lynn
Lynn
Sat May 23, 2009 11:10 pm
he was the stereo typical general like patton....... gruff, cussing, cigar chomping & ass chewing, just what the hollywood movies emulate.
Sun May 24, 2009 11:47 pm
carguy671 wrote:Bells Palsy ? (sp)
That's it.