Sold – Chennault Comes Home After the War to a Hero’s Welcome in U.S.
"I didn’t feel like a returned hero but more like a long absent member of a big family coming home.".
Founder of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China. Recruited as an instructor and adviser for the Chinese Air Force in 1937, he became Chiang Kai Shek’s chief of staff for air. With his aid China obtained 100 American pursuit planes and 100 American pilots, who were recruited from the U.S....
Founder of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) in China. Recruited as an instructor and adviser for the Chinese Air Force in 1937, he became Chiang Kai Shek’s chief of staff for air. With his aid China obtained 100 American pursuit planes and 100 American pilots, who were recruited from the U.S. armed services. The Tigers were China’s only effective air arm from their first combat in December, 1941 to mid 1942, destroying some 300 Japanese planes. Chennault played an important part in defense of the Burma Road, and conceived of flying supplies from India to China over what was termed “the Hump.” He was recalled to active duty as a general in the U.S. Army, and was given command of the U.S. 14th Air Force, which succeeded in destroying over a million tons of Japanese shipping, limiting their once formidable sea power.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 1/4 pages 4to, Sept. 13, 1945. “I’ve been putting this letter off so long so am going to write it despite the bucking C-47 and hope you can read it. We are en route to Washington riding the air currents of a fresh norther. Ground speed well over 200 miles per hour and I hope this old crate holds together. Anyway, it’s a fast trip and that’s something. I’ve sure had a marvelous week in La. Didn’t realize that I was so popular or that perfect strangers could be so kind and friendly. Both New Orleans and Monroe had the largest crowds in history and everybody seemed to be smiling and waving at me. I didn’t feel like a returned hero but more like a long absent member of a big family coming home. I am beginning to believe that rumor that I could be elected to any office in the state has some foundation in fact. I was urged everywhere to say that I would run for governor or senator but refused of course. Still don’t think I would like politics and do not see any great field of usefulness in that direction. All of the entertainment I’ve received in La. doesn’t dim the recollection of my visit with you, or my appreciation of your hospitality and many courtesies. That, of course, was something more personal and intimate; something that words can’t express adequately, but I know you will understand. Rather think I’ll be back in Miami…after Sept. 20…If you’ve gotten your plans arranged I would like to have an approximate outline of your itinerary so that I can assure future meetings…Love, Claire.”
The colorful and famous “Flying Tigers” made Chennault famous with the American people during the war. Although he didn’t feel like a hero, he probably could, as he says, have been elected to any office he chose in his native Louisiana. Instead he chose to distribute relief supplies to China after the war, organizing and heading the Chinese Nationalist civil airline. One of five wardate ALS’s we have of Chennault, the only ones we’ve ever seen.

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