Curtis Emerson LeMay was an outstanding air combat leader during World War II. He developed the bombardment tactics and strategies that left Nazi Germany in shambles. Transferred to the Pacific theater, he took over command of the B-29s and led the air war against Japan and oversaw the dropping of the atomic bombs. After the war, he organized the famous Berlin Air Lift forcing the Communist bloc to realize the futility of the Blockade. He is regarded as the Father of the Strategic Air Command. He reorganized the SAC and enhanced its readiness to strike at a very short notice. He served as a general for seventeen years - longer than any other man in the history of the United States military and eventually became the Air Force Chief of Staff. He was always the best pilot, best navigator and best bombardier in every unit he served or commanded and often demonstrated his courage by personally leading his bombers on dangerous missions. He received every award his country could bestow - other than the Medal of Honor - and was decorated by many other nations. Post –retirement, his foray into politics was not successful as his nuclear war comments and his support of a segregationist candidate did not go down well with the voters.