Claire Lee Chennault

Claire Lee Chennault
Nickname(s)"Old Leatherface"
Born(1893-09-06)September 6, 1893
Commerce, Texas, U.S.
DiedJuly 27, 1958(1958-07-27) (aged 64)
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Buried
Allegiance United States of America
Branch United States Army Air Service (1918-1926)
United States Army Air Corps (1926–1937)
Republic of China Air Force (1937–1942)
United States Army Air Forces (1942–1945)
Years of service1917–1945
Rank Lieutenant general
Commands
  • 1st American Volunteer Group
  • China Air Task Force
  • Fourteenth Air Force
Battles / wars
  • Burma Campaign
  • China-Burma-India Theater
Awards
  • Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
  • Distinguished Flying Cross (2)
  • Order of the Cloud and Banner
  • Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • Order of Blue Sky and White Sun
Spouse(s)

Claire Lee Chennault (September 6, 1893 – July 27, 1958)[1] was an American military aviator. He was best known for his leadership of the "Flying Tigers" and the Republic of China Air Force during World War II.

Chennault was twice married and had a total of ten children. From 1947 to his death in 1958, he was married to the Chinese reporter Anna Chennault.

Chennault was promoted to lieutenant general in the United States Air Force on July 18, 1958. He died of lung cancer in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 27 at the Ochsner Foundation Hospital, in New Orleans, at the age of 64.[2]

References

  1. Birthdate: Encyclopedia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite 2010 and www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107526/major-general-claire-lee-chennault/ give 1890 as birthyear
  2. Byrd 1987, p. 367.

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