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Curtis LeMay
Former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
Military Commander
Overview
U.S. Air Force general who directed the firebombing campaign that destroyed 67 Japanese cities during World War II, killing an estimated 330,000-900,000 civilians. Later oversaw the Strategic Air Command nuclear arsenal and advocated for preemptive nuclear strikes against the Soviet Union, Cuba, and other adversaries. His firebombing of Tokyo on March 9-10, 1945 killed approximately 100,000 people in a single night - more than the immediate deaths from either atomic bomb. LeMay himself acknowledged that if the U.S. had lost the war, he would have been tried as a war criminal.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Directed firebombing campaign that destroyed 67 Japanese cities, killing 330,000-900,000 civilians in 1945
Tokyo firebombing on March 9-10, 1945 killed approximately 100,000 people in a single night with napalm
Acknowledged he would have been tried as a war criminal if the U.S. had lost the war
Advocated for preemptive nuclear first strike against the Soviet Union during the Cold War
During Cuban Missile Crisis, pushed for immediate military invasion of Cuba over Kennedy's objections
As SAC commander, maintained nuclear bombers on 24/7 airborne alert increasing risk of accidental nuclear war
Ran as vice presidential candidate in 1968 with segregationist George Wallace on the American Independent Party ticket
Proposed bombing Vietnam back to the Stone Age; advocated for nuclear weapons use in Vietnam War
Related Investigations (3)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Geneva Conventions - Targeting CiviliansDeliberately targeted civilian population centers with incendiary weapons; Tokyo firebombing killed 100,000 civilians in one night(human-rights)
Hague Conventions - Bombardment of Undefended TownsSystematic destruction of 67 Japanese cities through area bombing specifically designed to maximize civilian casualties(human-rights)
Known Associates & Connections
Robert McNamara
Served under LeMay in WWII; later acknowledged the firebombing would constitute war crimes
George Wallace
Segregationist presidential candidate who chose LeMay as running mate in 1968
Edward Teller
Nuclear weapons advocate who shared LeMay's support for aggressive nuclear posture
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
LeMay: The Life and Wars of General Curtis LeMay by Warren Kozak(2009)
The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (documentary)(2003)
U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey: Effects of Incendiary Attacks on Japan(1947)
Personal Information
- Born
- 1906-11-15
- Birthplace
- Columbus, Ohio
- Also Known As
- Old Iron Pants, The Demon, Bombs Away LeMay
Education
- •Civil Engineering (did not graduate), Ohio State University
- •Flying Cadet Training, U.S. Army Air Corps (1929)
Key Timeline
1906-11-15
Born in Columbus, Ohio
1942-1943
Commands bomber units in European theater; develops formation tactics reducing losses
1945-01
Takes command of XXI Bomber Command in the Pacific; shifts strategy to low-altitude incendiary bombing
1945-03-10
Directs Operation Meetinghouse: firebombing of Tokyo kills approximately 100,000 civilians in one night
1945-03-08 to 1945-08
Firebombing campaign destroys 67 Japanese cities; estimated 330,000-900,000 civilians killed
1948
Named commander of Strategic Air Command; builds nuclear bomber force
1954
Advocates for preemptive nuclear strike against Soviet Union
1961-06-30
Appointed Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force
1962-10
During Cuban Missile Crisis, pushes for military invasion of Cuba; overruled by Kennedy
1965-02-01
Retires from Air Force after 37 years of service
1968
Runs as vice presidential candidate with segregationist George Wallace
1990-10-01
Dies in California at age 83