Retired United States Air Force Air Chief Marshal, Curtis LeMay, passed away at the age of 83 on October 1, 1990. Curtis LeMay is best remembered for his contribution to strategic bombing theory and aiding the Allied Powers to air victory during World War II. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 15, 1906 to parents Erving and Arizona LeMay. LeMay graduated from Ohio State University in 1929 and then began his military career shortly after. He is credited with being one of the first military members to successfully utilize the use of bombs against Japanese military targets. In addition to this, LeMay lead the controversial fire bomb raids on Tokyo in 1945 that resulted in major fatalities. In 1948, LeMay was named Chief of Staff of the United States Strategic Air Commands (SAC), a position he would hold until 1957. In that time, LeMay developed many of the foundational ideas of modern aerial warfare. He was known as “the father of the modern Air Force”. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors and awards, including two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legions of Merit and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. In retirement, LeMay remained a strong voice in the debate over the United States' nuclear strategy. LeMay is survived by his wife Helen and their three children.