Carl Spaatz
Carl Andrew Spaatz (born Spatz; June 28, 1891 – July 14, 1974), nicknamed "Tooey", was an American World War II general. As commander of Strategic Air Forces in Europe in 1944, he successfully pressed for the bombing of the enemy's oil production facilities as a priority over other targets. He became Chief of Staff of the newly formed United States Air Force in 1947.
Carl Spaatz
"Tooey"
June 28, 1891
Boyertown, Pennsylvania, US
July 14, 1974 (aged 83)
Washington, D.C., US
United States
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1914–1947 (Army)
1947–1948 (Air Force)
1948-1959 (Civil Air Patrol)
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World War I[edit]
Following America's entry into World War I, Spaatz was sent with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in command of the 31st Aero Squadron. Spaatz was appointed Officer in Charge, American Aviation School at Issoudun, France but after receiving orders to return to the United States, he saw three weeks of action during the final months of the war with the 13th Aero Squadron as a supernumerary pilot. In this brief period, Spaatz shot down three enemy planes[5] and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; during the time he was promoted to the temporary rank of major on June 17, 1918.
Later life[edit]
In July 1945, President Harry S. Truman nominated Spaatz for promotion to the permanent rank of general. Spaatz was appointed Commanding General of the Army Air Forces in February 1946 following Arnold's retirement. After the creation of the independent Air Force by the National Security Act of 1947 and Truman's Executive Order No. 9877, Spaatz was appointed as the first Chief of Staff of the new United States Air Force in September 1947.[5]
Spaatz retired from the military at the rank of general on June 30, 1948,[12] and worked for Newsweek magazine as military affairs editor until 1961. He also served on the Committee of Senior Advisors to the Air Force Chief of Staff from 1952 until his death; and was the first President of the Air Force Historical Foundation during 1953. In 1954, Spaatz was appointed to the congressional advisory board set up to determine the site for the new United States Air Force Academy.
Spaatz died at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 1974, from congestive heart failure.[5]
He was buried at the Academy's cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[5]
Personal life[edit]
Spaatz married Ruth Harrison in 1917. Ruth was born on April 28, 1896, in Fort Riley, Kansas. She died on November 19, 1989, in Maryland. The couple had three children.
Katherine ("Tattie") served in the American Red Cross mobile unit in England during World War II[13] and later married British intelligence officer Walter Bell (diplomat) 1948. She died in 2005.
Rebecca married Emmet B. Gresham, Jr. (March 25, 1923 – February 25, 1954) on February 13, 1943.[14] Following his death Rebecca married Steven P. Nagel.[15]
Carla married Francis D. Thomas Jr. at Fort Myer on April 4, 1951.[16]