Commerce in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault

(1890 - 1958)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

1. Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault Marker

Inscription.
Organizer-commander of the famous "Flying Tigers" of the China-Burma-India theater in World War II. An outstanding air strategist, Chennault had retired from a pioneer flying career when, in 1937, he was asked by Gen. Chaing Kai-Shek to help China develop an air force to combat threatening raids by Japan.

Four years later, with World War II spreading, he received permission from the U. S. to seek a corps of American airmen to help train the Chinese. A total of 252 men—87 pilots and 165 ground personnel—joined the "American volunteer group." Its popular name resulted from a misunderstanding of the sharks' teeth painted on the noses of the aircraft.

The Tigers formed three squadrons—"Adam and Eve," "Panda Bears," and "Hell's Angels"—supported by the expert pilots of the China National Aviation Corps, a daring supply transport group. So effectively had Chennault studied Japanese air tactics that his tiny band officially destroyed 539 enemy aircraft while losing only 90 itself. During 1941-1942, they checked Japan's invasion of China, then joined regular units. Jack Cornelius, also a native of Commerce and a close friend of Chennault's, was a member of the first pursuit squadron of the Tigers.

Chennault was born in 1893, but some documents recorded 1890, possibly for him to attend college immediately after graduating high school.

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7778.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 33° 14.892′ N, 95° 54.172′ W. Marker is in Commerce, Texas, in Hunt County. It is at the intersection of Monroe Street and Ash Street when traveling south on Monroe Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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1501 Monroe Street, Commerce TX 75428, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Commerce Churches (a few steps from this marker); First Presbyterian Church of Commerce (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Baptist Church of Commerce (about 700 feet away); Incorporation of Commerce (approx. ¼ mile away); Historical Stop - Downtown Commerce (approx. ¼ mile away); First Christian Church of Commerce (approx. ¼ mile away); Commerce Post Office (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jernigin's Store (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Commerce.

Related markers. Click here

Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

2. Birthplace of Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault

for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Texas State Historical Association article on General Claire Chennault. (Submitted on July 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Chinese language translation next to this marker about Claire Chennault. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, June 25, 2018

3. Chinese language translation next to this marker about Claire Chennault.

This official Texas State Historical Marker (Texas Atlas Number 5507018069), the first of its kind in Chinese (written in both traditional and contemporary Mandarin Chinese), was erected on October 14, 2015.

Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault (September 6, 1893 – July 27, 1958) image. Click for full size.

Public domain

4. Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault (September 6, 1893 – July 27, 1958)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 910 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on October 13, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 11, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.