Life Magazine, November 29, 1943. Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White.

Ira Clarence Eaker (13 April 1896 – 6 August 1987) was a general of the United States Army Air Forces, who commanded the Eighth Air Force during World War II. Image File history File links Eakerlife. ... Image File history File links Eakerlife. ... A cover of Life Magazine from 1911 Life has been the name of two notable magazines published in the United States. ... November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... Self portrait of Margaret Bourke-White Margaret Bourke-White (June 14, 1904–August 27, 1971) was an American photographer and photo journalist. ... 13 April is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Army Air Forces, or USAAF, was a part of the U.S. military during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ... The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force (NAF) of the major command (MAJCOM) of Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force and it is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. ... Combatants Allies: • Soviet Union, • UK & Commonwealth, • USA, • France/Free France, • China, • Poland, • ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Japan, • Italy, • ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II...

Eaker was born in Field Creek, Texas, in 1896. He attended Southeastern State Teachers College in Durant, Oklahoma, then joined the US Army in 1917. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the Infantry Section, Officer's, Reserve Corps, and assigned to active duty with the US 64th Infantry Regiment at El Paso, Texas. On November 15, 1917, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry in the Regular Army. 1896 (MDCCCXCVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Durant is a city located in Bryan County, Oklahoma. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... Nickname: Star of the Southwest and Land of the Sun Motto: Official website: www. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme, First World War. ... The Regular Army is the name given to the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime. ...

U. S. Army Air Corps

Eaker remained with the 64th Infantry at El Paso until March 1918, when he was placed on detached service to receive flying instruction at Austin and Kelly Fields in Texas. Upon graduation the following October, he was rated a pilot and assigned to Rockwell Field, California. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Kelly Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located in San Antonio, Texas. ... Official language(s) None. ... An aviator is a person who flies aircraft for pleasure or as a profession. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ...

In July 1919, he transferred to the Philippine Islands, where he served with the Second Aero Squadron at Fort Mills until September l919; with the Third Aero Squadron at Camp Stotsenburg until September 1920, and as executive officer of the Department Air Office, Department and Assistant Department Air Officer, Philippine Department, and in command of the Philippine Air Depot at Manila until September 1921. 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Philippine islands is a commonly mistaken description for the Philippines. ... Fort Mills (Corregidor, the Philippines) was the location of US Major General George F. Moores headquarters for the Philippine Departments Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... Manilas President Manuel Roxas Boulevard also known as the Baywalk Manila (Filipino: Maynila) is the capital of the Philippines. ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

Meanwhile, on July 1, 1920, he transferred from the Infantry to the Air Service and returned to the United States in January 1922, for duty at Mitchel Field, N.Y., where he commanded the Fifth Aero Squadron and later was post adjutant. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Mitchel Field is a complex located in Uniondale, New York, and home to Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University. ... Official language(s) None, English de facto Capital Albany Largest city New York City Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 27th 141,205 km² 455 km 530 km 13. ...

In June 1924, Eaker was named executive assistant in the Office of Air Service at Washington, D.C., and from December 1926, to May 1927, he served as a pilot of one of the planes of the Pan American Flight which made a goodwill trip around South America. He then became executive officer in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War at Washington, D.C. 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: the District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Official website: http://www. ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... The Secretary of War was a member of the Presidents Cabinet, beginning with George Washingtons administration. ...

In September 1926, he was named operations and line maintenance officer at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. While on that duty, he participated as chief pilot on the endurance flight of the Army plane, "Question Mark", from 1 to 7 January 1929, establishing a new world flight endurance record. Eaker and his co-pilot Carl Spaatz were also awarded the DFC for this achievement. In 1930, he made the first transcontinental flight entirely with instruments. Bolling Air Force Base, in Southwest Washington, DC, is named for Col. ... (Redirected from 1 January) January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... January 7 is the seventh day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Carl Tooey Spaatz (June 28, 1891 – July 14, 1974) was an American general in World War II. Carl Andrew Spatz (Spaatz added the second a in 1937 at the request of his wife and daughters to clarify the pronunciation of the name) was born on June 28, 1891, in Boyertown... The Distinguished Flying Cross. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

In October 1934, Eaker was ordered to duty at March Field, Calif., where he commanded the 34th Pursuit Squadron and later the 17th Pursuit Squadron. In the summer of 1935, he was detached for duty with the Navy and participated aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, on maneuvers in Hawaii and Guam. 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... March Air Reserve Base is a base of the U.S. Air Force Reserve located in Riverside County, California, between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. ... 1935 (MCMXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The United States Navy (USN) is the branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations around the globe. ... An aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and recover aircraft—in effect acting as a sea-going airbase. ... The fourth USS Lexington (CV-2), nicknamed the Gray Lady or Lady Lex, was the second aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. ... Official language(s) Hawaiian and English Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43rd 28,337 km² n/a km 2,450 km 41. ...

Eaker entered the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Ala., in August 1935, and upon graduation the following June entered the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., from which he graduated in June 1937. He then became assistant chief of the Information Division in the Office of the Chief of Air Corps at Washington, D.C., and in November 1940, assumed command of the 20th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, Calif. Maxwell Air Force Base (offically known as Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base) is a United States Air Force facility near Montgomery, Alabama. ... Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 30th 52,423 mi²/135,775 km² 190 mi/306 km 330 mi/531 km 3. ... First established in 1881 as a school for infantry and cavalry, the U.S. Armys Command and General Staff College (C&GSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas functions as a graduate school for U.S. military leaders. ... In 1827, Colonel Henry Leavenworth established a post on the bluffs overlooking the western bank of the Missouri River to protect the fur trade, safeguard commerce on the Santa Fe Trail and maintain the peace among the inhabitants. ... Official language(s) None Capital Topeka Largest city Wichita Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 15th 82,277 mi²; 213,096 km² 211 mi; 340 km 400 mi; 645 km 0. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ...

World War II

Promoted to brigadier general in January 1942, he was assigned to organize the VIII Bomber Command and to understudy the British system of bomber operations; then in December 1942, he assumed command of the Eighth Air Force in England. Throughout the war, Eaker was an advocate for daylight "precision" bombing of military and industrial targets in German-occupied territory and ultimately Germany -- of striking at the enemy's ability to wage war while minimizing civilian casualties. The British considered daylight bombing too risky and wanted the Americans to join them in night raids that would target wider areas, but Eaker persuaded a skeptical Winston Churchill that the American and British approaches complemented each other in a one-page memo that concluded, "If the R.A.F. continues night bombing and we bomb by day, we shall bomb them round the clock and the devil shall get no rest." He personally led the first US B-17 bomber strike against German occupation forces in France, bombing Rouen, 17 August 1942. However, as American bomber losses mounted from German defensive fighter aircraft attacks, Eaker failed to recognize the need for long-range American fighters to escort the bombers to and from their targets, and he was relieved of his command of the Eighth Air Force by Commanding General Henry "Hap" Arnold in early 1944. A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... This article is about the year. ... The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force (NAF) of the major command (MAJCOM) of Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force and it is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. ... Royal motto (French): Dieu et mon droit (Translated: God and my right) Englands location within the British Isles Languages English (de facto) Capital London de facto Largest city London Area – Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population – Total (mid-2004) – Total (2001 Census) – Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... A B_17 nicknamed Sally B in England in 2001 The B_17 Flying Fortress was the first mass_produced, four_engine heavy bomber. ... Location within France Rouen Cathedral The entrance to Rouen Cathedral Abbey church of Saint-Ouen, (chevet) in Rouen Rouen, medieval house Rouen (pronounced in French, sometimes also ) is the historical capital city of Normandy, in northwestern France, and presently the capital of the Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) région. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Eaker was promoted to lieutenant general in September 1943, assigned to command of all U.S. Army Air Forces in the United Kingdom. Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... The United States Army Air Forces, or USAAF, was a part of the U.S. military during World War II. The direct precursor to the U.S. Air Force, the USAAF formally existed between 1941 and 1947. ...

In January 1944, he was named air Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, having under his command the 12th and 15th U.S. Air Forces and the British Desert and Balkan Air Forces. He did not approve of the bombing of Monte Cassino in February, 1944, considering it a dubious military target, but ultimately gave in to pressure from ground commanders; historians of the era now generally believe Eaker's skepticism was correct and that the ancient abbey at Monte Cassino could have been preserved without jeopardizing the allied advance through Italy. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Twelfth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force in Air Combat Command (ACC). ... Activated on November 1, 1943, the Fifteenth Air Force was established as part of the U.S. Army Air Force in the World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations as a strategic air force and commenced combat operations the day after it was formed. ...

On 30 April 1945, General Eaker was named deputy commander of the Army Air Forces and chief of the Air Staff. He retired 31 August 1947, and was promoted to lieutenant general on the retired list 29 June 1948. April 30 is the 120th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (121st in leap years), with 245 days remaining, as the last day in April. ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ... Chief of the Air Staff can also refer to the head of the Canadian Forces Air Command. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1947 calendar). ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ...

Civilian career

Eaker was a vice president of Hughes Tool and Hughes Aircraft (1947–57) and of Douglas Aircraft (1957–61). Hughes logo adopted after his death Hughes developed the AIM-120 AMRAAM, one of the worlds most advanced air-to-air missiles Hughes Aircraft Company was a major defense/aerospace company founded by Howard Hughes. ... 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Douglas Aircraft Company was founded by Donald Wills Douglas in July 1921. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

While stationed in New York in the early 1920s, Eaker studied law at Columbia University. Eaker went back to school in the early 1930s at the University of Southern California and received a degree in journalism. With Henry Arnold, Eaker co-authored This Flying Game (1936), Winged Warfare (1937), and Army Flyer (1942). Starting in 1962, he wrote a weekly column, carried by many newspapers, on military affairs. It has been suggested that Roaring Twenties be merged into this article or section. ... Columbia University is a private university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City and a member of the Ivy League. ... // Events and trends A public speech by Benito Mussolini, founder of the Fascist movement The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical lifestyles, as countries were struggling to find a solution to the global depression. ... The University of Southern California (also known as USC, SC, Southern California and Southern Cal), Californias oldest private research university, is located in the urban center of Los Angeles, California. ... Henry Harley Arnold (June 25, 1886 - January 15, 1950), often referred to by the nickname Hap, was an American pilot, commander of the US Army Air Corps from 1938, commander of the US Army Air Forces from 1941 until 1945 and the first General of the Air Force in 1949. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Eaker was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame, in Dayton, Ohio, in 1970. Skyline of Dayton from the north, across the Great Miami River. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

On 10 October 1978, President Jimmy Carter, authorized by act of Congress, awarded in the name of the congress, a special Congressional Gold Medal to General Eaker, for contributing immeasurably to the development of aviation and to the security of his country. October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ... For the submarine, see USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23). ... Congressional Gold Medal presented to Navajo Code talkers in 2000 The Congressional Gold Medal of Honor is the highest award which may be bestowed by the Legislative Branch of the United States government. ...

Almost 30 years after his retirement, Congress passed special legislation awarding four-star status to General Eaker, prompted by Senator Barry Goldwater and endorsed by President Ronald Reagan. On 26 April 1985, Chief of Staff General Charles Gabriel and Ruth Eaker, the general's wife, pinned on his fourth star. General is a high military rank, used by nearly every country in the world. ... Seal of the Senate The United States Senate is one of the two chambers of the Congress of the United States, the other being the House of Representatives. ... Barry Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 1, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was a United States politician and a founding figure in the modern conservative movement in the USA as well as being a major inspiration for many of his youthful followers to join the libertarian movement. ... Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989) and the 33rd Governor of California (1967–1975). ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, National Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. ...

Eaker died 6 August 1987 at Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. August 6 is the 218th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (219th in leap years), with 147 days remaining. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Andrews Air Force Base (ICAO code KADR) is a United States Air Force base near Washington, DC, the home base of Air Force One and SAM FOX. // Location The base is a few miles southeast of Washington, in Prince Georges County, Maryland. ... Official language(s) None Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 42nd 32,160 km² 145 km 400 km 21 37°53N to 39°43N 75°4W to 79°33W Population  - Total (2000)  - Density Ranked 19th 5,296,486 165...

Over his 30 years of flying, General Eaker accumulated 12,000 flying hours as pilot. His military decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal; Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Navy Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster; Air Medal; World War I and World War II Victory Medals; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; and the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal with bronze service stars. The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal was created by an act of the United States Congress on July 6, 1960. ... This article concerns the United States Army Distinguished Service Medal. ... The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. ... The Silver Star is a United States military decoration and is the third highest medal for valor. ... The Legion of Merit is an awesome award which only the bravest of Americans will ever win. ... Bronze and Silver oak leaf clusters An Oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on military awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. ... The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... The World War I Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1919. ... WWII Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. ... The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1942 by order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created in 1942 by Executive Order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. ... Bronze and Silver Service Stars A Service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. ...

General Eaker's foreign decorations include the Bolivian Order of Condor of the Andes; the Chilean Order Al Merito, Officer; Peruvian Order of the Sun of Peru, Officer; Venezuelan Order of the Liberator, Officer; Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire; Brazilian Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Official Order; Russian Order of Kutusov, Second Degree; Yugoslavian Partisan Star, First Class; French Legion of Honor, Grand Officer; French Croix de Guerre with Palm; Italian Grand Master of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus; British Knight Commander of the Bath; Brazilian Order of Aeronautical Merit; Polish Military Order of the Gold Cross of Merit with Swords. Commanders Badge of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in decreasing order of seniority: Knight or Dame Grand... The Order of the Southern Cross was originally known as the Imperial Order of the Southern Cross and awarded to officers, NCOs and men of the Brazilian Imperial Army and Navy during the war against Paraguay (1865-1870), called War of the Triple Alliance (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay against Paraguay). ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in all south Slavic languages, in Macedonian and Serbian Cyrillic Југославија) is a term used for three separate but successive political entities that existed during most of the 20th century on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe. ... French Legion of Honor The Légion dhonneur (in Legion of Honor (AmE) or Legion of Honour (ComE)) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. ... The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of both Belgium and France which was first created in 1915. ... Military Badge of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. ...

Blytheville Air Force Base was renamed Eaker Air Force Base on 26 May 1988; the base was closed on 6 March 1992. Military to civilian conversion began, and public aircraft began using the decomissioned base. The military still uses the renamed Arkansas International Airport. Blytheville Air Force Base, now the site of the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport, has had a long and important history. ... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 6 is the 65th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (66th in Leap years). ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... The official closure of Eaker Air Force Base was announced in 1991, and on March 6, 1992, the last B-52G aircraft, The City of Blytheville, left the base. ...

External links

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Ira Eaker

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