Chennault, Claire Lee

Date of birth:: September 6th, 1893 (Commerce/Texas, United States)
Date of death:: July 27th, 1958 (New Orleans/Louisiana, United States)
Service number:: 0-10090
Nationality:: American

Biography

Lieutenant general Claire Chennault served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the First World War. He was appointed as commander of the famous 14th Air Force in China in 1942.

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Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Brigadier General
Unit:: China Air Task Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: 1942

"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."

War Department, General Orders No. 65

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Order of Blue Sky and White Sun

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: 14th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: August 7th, 1945

Conferred upon him by President Chiang Kai-shek

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: 14th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: August 28th, 1945

"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 General Chennault and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces."

War Department, General Orders No. 72; second DSM received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: 14th Air Force, U.S. 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."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: 14th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

"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."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: 14th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

"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."

second DFC received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster