Comments on: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/ Whiskey and Gunpowder features articles on gold, oil, currencies, emerging markets, energy, and more. Wed, 23 May 2012 06:51:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: sylvester wilcy http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-7418 sylvester wilcy Fri, 28 May 2010 11:21:35 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-7418 i agree with much of what has been written. i flew 35 missions over japan for the 73rd wing. i am now 89 years old and one of the very few who lived through 35 missions. most of the first 73rd aircrews were lost due to the fore mentioned engine fail;ure. what has never been mentioned before that the 73rd wing was made up of the top aircrews in the airforce. former combat airmen from europe and africa and many flight instructors made up the first b29 air crews. most were college graduates. a great many were lost in the first raids over japan. in fact the losses were 17% and the men spoke of not being able to fly 20 missions ans survive. in jan of 45 all missions were cancelled for one month to try and find a solution to the heavy losses. i was fortunate that the low level bombing began. i flew my 34th mission flying over japan alone dropping leaflets over the main cities of japan. i agree with much of what has been written. i flew 35 missions over japan for the 73rd wing. i am now 89 years old and one of the very few who lived through 35 missions. most of the first 73rd aircrews were lost due to the fore mentioned engine fail;ure. what has never been mentioned before that the 73rd wing was made up of the top aircrews in the airforce. former combat airmen from europe and africa and many flight instructors made up the first b29 air crews. most were college graduates. a great many were lost in the first raids over japan. in fact the losses were 17% and the men spoke of not being able to fly 20 missions ans survive. in jan of 45 all missions were cancelled for one month to try and find a solution to the heavy losses. i was fortunate that the low level bombing began. i flew my 34th mission flying over japan alone dropping leaflets over the main cities of japan.

]]> By: Scott Gaines http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3408 Scott Gaines Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:26:50 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3408 I for one am very thankful beyond words for Curtis LeMay and the B-29s. My father was slated to be in one of the invasion waves that would have landed in Japan. Events of August, 1945 made that invasion unnecessary. Dad stood an excellent chance of not coming home. Since I wasn't born until 1955, the B-29 attacks, ALL of them, are of great personal interest to me. I support their use without question. A few years back, before it was moved to the Udvar-Hazy annex, I had the opportunity to see, and touch, the Enola Gay as it was displayed in the National Air and Space Museum. A museum docent came over and told me I should not be that close. When I explained why I was so grateful for what the Enola Gay did, he actually allowed me to get an even closer look at the plane. General LeMay, you done good. Thanks. I for one am very thankful beyond words for Curtis LeMay and the B-29s. My father was slated to be in one of the invasion waves that would have landed in Japan. Events of August, 1945 made that invasion unnecessary. Dad stood an excellent chance of not coming home. Since I wasn’t born until 1955, the B-29 attacks, ALL of them, are of great personal interest to me. I support their use without question.

A few years back, before it was moved to the Udvar-Hazy annex, I had the opportunity to see, and touch, the Enola Gay as it was displayed in the National Air and Space Museum. A museum docent came over and told me I should not be that close. When I explained why I was so grateful for what the Enola Gay did, he actually allowed me to get an even closer look at the plane.

General LeMay, you done good.

Thanks.

]]> By: Joseph Curry http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3395 Joseph Curry Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:40:31 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3395 Byron: I thank you for an excellent series on my old Boss, C. LeMAy.. I was accepted for Flight training by his New USAF in 1949.. I remember those transition days quite clearly. I also enjoy your series on Guns , travel , etc. since I am a duly elected member of the Explorers club, I have used them my entire life, much in Federal Service.. www.Explorers.org.. In simple words "MORE". Byron: I thank you for an excellent series on my old Boss, C. LeMAy.. I was accepted for Flight training by his New USAF in 1949.. I remember those transition days quite clearly.

I also enjoy your series on Guns , travel , etc. since I am a duly elected member of the Explorers club, I have used them my entire life, much in Federal Service..

http://www.Explorers.org..

In simple words “MORE”.

]]> By: Mark Baker (SAC/Offutt Cop, '81-'85) http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3355 Mark Baker (SAC/Offutt Cop, '81-'85) Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:38:23 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3355 I had the distinct privledge of meeting Gen. LeMay as a young Airman 1st Class serving at Offutt AFB, NE (3902nd SPS, SAC/HQ). General LeMay had returned to Offutt (which he visited often) in April of '82 to commerate the 40th anniversary of Jimmy Doolittle's Tokyo Raid. LeMay had always loved and taken care of "his cops" (SAC Air/Security Police troops) as well as his maintenance troops. He felt that enlisted troops deserved better housing then the typical 'barracks' that the Army had established. Our building, 'Dormitory 401' at Offutt was the first of what woukld become the standard across the entire Air Force foe single enlisted quarters. Rather then several bunks with foot-lockers in huge open-bays with a community bathroom, LeMay's first 'Cop Dorm' featured a hotel-like two beds to a room with a bathroom shared between two rooms. It was unheard of at the time and afforded Air Force enlisted troops better liiving quarters then Army Officers enjoyed. Anyway, I had the honor of meeting the 'Old Man of SAC' in Dorm 401 that day and I will never forget that day when I shook hands with history in the form of the greatest American General who ever lived. A few short years later the a cable of leftest political hacks masquerading as Air Force generals (chiefly McPeak, Loh, and Butler, all of whom were despised by enlisted and junior officer troops who served under them) would conspire to 'take-down' America's Strategic Air Command. I thank Mr. Byron King for shedding light on the truth and greatness of General LeMay. It's ironic that the most powerful military stalwart and servant of America's security (SAC) was taken down by egotistical 'fighter-jocks' (Tactical Air Command/TAC) more concerned with their chest-hair then their country's security. Tacital Air Power IS and always has been the domain of US Naval Carrier Air Groups (who are the best in the world at that business). After numerous embarrassing 'screw-ups' and gross nuclear security lapses that would have NEVER occured under SAC, the regular Air Force has seen fit to reinstate a half-assed SAC known as 'Global Strike Command,' but it appears to be a 'neutered command' in that it's led by a three-star general and isn't a MAJCOM as was SAC which also reported directly to the POTUS. Thank you Mr. King for having the integrity to set the record straight and give General LeMay the honor he so rightly deserves. Cordially, Mark D. Baker Grand Ledge, MI. oakharborimages@hotmail.com I had the distinct privledge of meeting Gen. LeMay as a young Airman 1st Class serving at Offutt AFB, NE (3902nd SPS, SAC/HQ). General LeMay had returned to Offutt (which he visited often) in April of ’82 to commerate the 40th anniversary of Jimmy Doolittle’s Tokyo Raid. LeMay had always loved and taken care of “his cops” (SAC Air/Security Police troops) as well as his maintenance troops. He felt that enlisted troops deserved better housing then the typical ‘barracks’ that the Army had established. Our building, ‘Dormitory 401′ at Offutt was the first of what woukld become the standard across the entire Air Force foe single enlisted quarters. Rather then several bunks with foot-lockers in huge open-bays with a community bathroom, LeMay’s first ‘Cop Dorm’ featured a hotel-like two beds to a room with a bathroom shared between two rooms. It was unheard of at the time and afforded Air Force enlisted troops better liiving quarters then Army Officers enjoyed. Anyway, I had the honor of meeting the ‘Old Man of SAC’ in Dorm 401 that day and I will never forget that day when I shook hands with history in the form of the greatest American General who ever lived.

A few short years later the a cable of leftest political hacks masquerading as Air Force generals (chiefly McPeak, Loh, and Butler, all of whom were despised by enlisted and junior officer troops who served under them) would conspire to ‘take-down’ America’s Strategic Air Command. I thank Mr. Byron King for shedding light on the truth and greatness of General LeMay. It’s ironic that the most powerful military stalwart and servant of America’s security (SAC) was taken down by egotistical ‘fighter-jocks’ (Tactical Air Command/TAC) more concerned with their chest-hair then their country’s security. Tacital Air Power IS and always has been the domain of US Naval Carrier Air Groups (who are the best in the world at that business). After numerous embarrassing ‘screw-ups’ and gross nuclear security lapses that would have NEVER occured under SAC, the regular Air Force has seen fit to reinstate a half-assed SAC known as ‘Global Strike Command,’ but it appears to be a ‘neutered command’ in that it’s led by a three-star general and isn’t a MAJCOM as was SAC which also reported directly to the POTUS.

Thank you Mr. King for having the integrity to set the record straight and give General LeMay the honor he so rightly deserves.

Cordially,

Mark D. Baker
Grand Ledge, MI.
oakharborimages@hotmail.com

]]> By: » General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - Roca News http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3320 » General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - Roca News Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:56:48 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3320 [...] Read the original: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...] [...] Read the original: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...]

]]> By: Cosmo Hippy http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3317 Cosmo Hippy Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:34:47 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3317 War is a bitch, but you have to win. War is a bitch, but you have to win.

]]> By: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - BH power http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3304 General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - BH power Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:59:23 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3304 [...] More:  General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...] [...] More:  General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...]

]]> By: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan goodcity http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3302 General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan goodcity Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:46:34 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3302 [...] More here:  General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...] [...] More here:  General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...]

]]> By: Capt. Don I Phillips USAF RET http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3301 Capt. Don I Phillips USAF RET Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:39:18 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3301 I happed to be Sr 1st Lt Nav Bomb SAC trained killer waiting transfer to SEA B-57 dive bombers from 2nd BS B-52's Spring '66. Gen Curt Ret, Simi Valley CA, VP AM IND Pty flew into March AFB for a SAC Cmdrs Confc. Made me Aide for a day to Curt Lemay! Meaning I carried the Anthony and Cleopatras and simply basked! I heard the BIg Guy call Bobby Kennedy " A snot nosed, rat faced SOB". Made my 100 missions in SEA flying along side Chuck Yeager( another REAL Big Guy) that followed a joy though JFK sent us on the quest. Went to train Combat Crews in EB-66 tactics I'd only seen as they escorted me to Vinh once. Day I arrived in Itazuki, Japan June '68 Bobby had been shot in H'wood. Day I was to ferry an EB66 to Germany from S.Carolina I watched Neil's Moon landing;read of Ted killing an innocent girl. There are heros and basards and not difficult to decipher. Don I Phillips USAF, Ret 100% Combat Disabled. I happed to be Sr 1st Lt Nav Bomb SAC trained killer waiting
transfer to SEA B-57 dive bombers from 2nd BS B-52′s Spring ’66. Gen Curt Ret, Simi Valley CA, VP AM IND Pty flew into March AFB for a SAC Cmdrs Confc. Made me Aide for a day to Curt Lemay! Meaning I carried the Anthony and Cleopatras and simply basked! I heard the BIg Guy call Bobby Kennedy ” A snot nosed, rat faced SOB”. Made my 100 missions in SEA flying along side Chuck Yeager( another REAL Big Guy) that followed a joy though JFK sent us on the quest. Went to train Combat Crews in EB-66 tactics I’d only seen as they escorted me to Vinh once. Day I arrived in Itazuki, Japan June ’68 Bobby had been shot in H’wood. Day I was to ferry an EB66 to Germany from S.Carolina I watched Neil’s Moon landing;read of Ted killing an innocent girl. There are heros and basards and not difficult to decipher. Don I Phillips USAF, Ret 100% Combat Disabled.

]]> By: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - qc power http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/general-lemay-sics-b-29s-on-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-3295 General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan - qc power Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:33:49 +0000 http://whiskeyandgunpowder.com/?p=5230#comment-3295 [...] Read the original post: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...] [...] Read the original post: General Lemay Sics B-29s on Japan [...]

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