University District in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
General Curtis E. LeMay
A primary architect of American air power, Curtis Emerson LeMay was born in Columbus in 1906, attended public schools, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in civil engineering. He received his flight training through the Reserve Officers Training Corps and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1929. Before World War II, he pioneered air routes to Africa and England; during the war he developed tactical and strategic doctrine used in bombing operations in Europe and the South Pacific, often leading his forces in combat. He was promoted to general in 1944. In 1947, following the organization of the U.S.Air Force (USAF), LeMay was appointed commander of USAF Europe, directing operations during the Berlin Airlift at the dawn of the Cold War.
In 1948 General LeMay assumed command of Strategic Air Command (SAC), one of three new air commands, responsible for conducting offensive combat operations worldwide. Through intensive training and discipline, he built SAC into the most powerful fighting force ever known. The USAF's all-jet nuclear bomber force, supported by professional airmen, characterized America's Cold War posture during the 1950s with its global reach. An innovator as well as a tactician, LeMay introduced aerial refueling and laid the groundwork for an intercontinental ballistic missile force. He became USAF Vice Chief of Staff in 1957 and Chief of Staff in 1961. He retired in 1965, still rated as a command pilot. He died in 1990. General Curtis LeMay was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1972.
Erected 2003 by Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 82-25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.
Location. 40° 0.318′ N, 83° 1.03′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in the University District. Marker is at the intersection of Tuttle Park Place and Neil Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Tuttle Park Place. Marker is in front of Converse Hall, the ROTC Building, which is across Woody Hayes Drive from Ohio Stadium. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Freedom Brutus (here, next to this marker); Remembrance Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Saturn (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jupiter (about 700 feet away); The Bert L. and Iris S. Wolstein Gateway (about 700 feet away); Jesse Cleveland (Jesse) Owens (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mars (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reflections on Pride and Tradition (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,683 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 24, 2023, by Mark Moxley-Knapp of Columbus, Ohio. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on May 14, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. 7. submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.