Ira Clarence Eaker - General, USAAF April 13, 1896 – August 6, 1987 Sent to England in 1942 to start up USAAF heavy bombing operations and created what came to be known as the 8th Air Force ‘Mighty Eighth’ numbering 40 groups of 60 bombers - mostly B 17’s. He held command until early 1944. Eaker joined the US Army in 1917 and also received a BA from USC in Journalism graduating mid 1934. An early infantryman, he was slated to Austin TX for flight instructions and got his wings in 1919 then transferred to the Philippines until September 1921. Returning, he commanded the 5th Aero Squadron at Mitchell Field, Long Island. In December 1928, Eaker piloted a Loening OA-1 Float Plane making a 22,000 mile trip in South America, then was appointed Asst. to Sec’y of War in Washington. In January 1929 at Bolling Field he flew Question Mark for six days establishing a new long distance record, and was the first pilot to make the transcontinental(USA) flight on instruments. Graduated Command and General Staff School Leavenworth KS. He was to put 12,000 hours in his flight log book. Eaker was ordered to organize US Bomber Operations (VIII Bomber Command) in England in early 1942.In December he stated: “We won’t do much talking until we’ve done more fighting. After we’ve gone, we hope you’ll be glad we came.” During the war he was a fervent advocate of daylight Strategic Bombing and believed the B 17 combined with the Norden Bombsight could bring Germany to its knees. Winston Churchill and the Head of Bomber Command, Arthur Harris put pressure on the Eighth to join the RAF effort at night and Eaker responded the two ideas complimented each other — bombing around the clock, thus keeping independence from the RAF.If the RAF continues night bombing and we bomb by day, we shall bomb them round the clock and the devil shall get no rest.” Eaker flew in the first US raid on Rouen - 8/17/42. Rising losses in mid 1943 caused his star to fall and he was replaced by Jimmy Doolittle in late 1943 moving to the Mediterranean to command that Air Force. Eager did not support the controversial bombing of the Benedictine Abbey at Montecassino. Eaker retired in August 1947 as Deputy Commander of the Army Air Force and Chief of Air Staff. Forty years later, he was promoted Four Star General. He went on to work for Hughes Aircraft and Tool Company. TOMH would like to make the point that holders of high command in the military are qualified to hold positions of responsibility in the civilian economy as Eaker was. Far from the one track closed military mind some portray, they go on to varied civil careers - good men to have around.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:55:14 +0000
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