Disillusioned with the Army Air Corps focus on bombardment over pursuit, Claire Chennault went to China shortly after the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War to train pursuit units of the Chinese Air Force. In the summer of 1941 he was made a brigadier general in the Chinese Air Force and put in charge of recruiting pursuit pilots for the American Volunteer Group who became famed as the “Flying Tigers.” He was recalled to active duty by the Army Air Force April 15, 1942 as a colonel and was promoted to brigadier general a week later. He retired in 1946 as a U.S. Army Air Forces Major General. On July 18, 1958, the U.S. Air Force gave him the honorary grade of Lieutenant General.
Sponsored by:
Claire
Lee
Chennault
1893-09-06
–
1958-07-27
Born:
Commerce
,
Texas
Home:
Waterproof
,
Louisiana
Buried:
Arlington
,
Virginia
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Legion of Merit
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Claire Lee Chennault (ASN: 0-10090), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding General of the FOURTEENTH Air Force, in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
July 1941 – 1942
War Department, General Orders No. 65 (December 4, 1942)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Claire Lee Chennault (ASN: 0-10090), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious service while in a position of great responsibility as commander of the China Air Task Force from July 4, 1941 to 1942. General Chennault demonstrated keen knowledge of Japanese technique and air tactics. Although greatly outnumbered in personnel, airplanes, and other essential items, he succeeded in protecting a large section of unoccupied China from enemy air attack, and has caused severe loses to the enemy. His appreciation and understanding of the many problems of the China theater resulted not only in highly successful air operations, but also in a high degree of good will between the U.S. Army forces and the people of China. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Chennault and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Claire Lee Chennault (ASN: 0-10090), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in flying thousands of miles over enemy territory, and personally directing attacks against a numerically superior enemy in China, during World War II. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
-
Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major General Claire Lee Chennault (ASN: 0-10090), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. With Spare parts practically unobtainable and only the most meager supplies available, he was able to draw upon limited facilities in China to secure the minimum necessities to keep his aircraft in operation and his organization functioning by reason of having won the wholehearted respect and co-operation of Chinese military and governmental officials. The phenomenal success which he achieved with a small force at the time when the United States was in a position to give only token support to its Chinese ally was in large part responsible for the heroic resistance China was able to offer against the modern and well equipped forces of Japan.
-
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
14th Air ForceAction Date:
March 1943 – July 1945
War Department General Orders No. 72 (August 28, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Claire Lee Chennault (ASN: 0-10090), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the FOURTEENTH Air Force, in China, from March 1943 to July 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Chennault and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.