Voting Station

Claire Chennault

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Military Personnel

The Resume

    (September 6, 1893-July 27, 1958)
    Born in Commerce, Texas
    US Army Air Corps pilot (1917-19,1920-37)
    Aviation advisor to the Chinese government (1937-41)
    Commanded the American Volunteer Group, aka 'Flying Tigers' (1941-42)
    Rejoined the US Army as commander of the 14th Air Force (1942-45)
    Received two Distinguished Service Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a two pack a day smoker.
    He used the title 'Colonel' when he was introduced to Chiang Kai-Shek, even though he yet to serve at a rank higher than major.
    During WWII, he repeatedly clashed with his commanding officer, General Joseph Stilwell.
    His second wife was 32 years his junior.
    He gave the name Claire to one of his sons and one of his daughters.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He lost much of his hearing from flying in open cockpit planes.
    He was an early advocate of using flight-interceptor aircraft to take on bombers.
    During the seven months from Pearl Harbor to his rejoining the Army, his Flying Tigers shot down 115 Japanese planes with the loss of 300 airmen at a cost of 16 Americans killed or captured in battle.
    Although a firm anti-Communist, he was against sending US ground troops to Indochina.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 18 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 11 Votes: 9.09% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 76.92% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 16 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 18 Votes: 22.22% Annoying