Three iconic USAAF generals—Carl Spaatz, Ira Eaker, and James “Jimmy” Doolittle—played key roles in leading the strategic bombing campaign in Europe.
Gen. Carl Spaatz decorates a wounded Eighth Air Force Airman while he recovers in a hospital in August 1944.

Carl A. Spaatz
After leading the Eighth Air Force through 1942, Carl Spaatz commanded strategic bombing forces based in the Mediterranean. From January 1944 to the end of the war, he led the entire USAAF strategic bombing campaign against Germany. In 1947, he became the US Air Force’s first Chief of Staff.

Collier Trophy
The 1944 Collier Trophy awarded to Spaatz for “demonstrating the air power concept through employment of American aviation in the war against Germany.” The Collier Trophy is awarded annually for significant achievement in the advancement of aviation.
Ira C. Eaker
In January 1942, Ira Eaker organized the Eighth Air Force’s bomber command and later led the entire Eighth Air Force. From December 1943 to the end of the war, he commanded all air units (US and Allied) in the Mediterranean.

Pickle Barrel Trophy
Ira Eaker received this unique commemorative piece after the war in recognition of his leadership during the strategic bombing campaign. It refers to the claimed ability of the Norden’s bombsight to “drop a bomb in a pickle barrel from 18,000 feet.”
James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle
From September 1942 to January 1944, Jimmy Doolittle led strategic bombing forces in the Mediterranean. In January 1944, he took command of the Eighth Air Force in England, leading it until the end of the war.
Three-star general’s flag flown on Lt Gen Doolittle’s staff car while he commanded the Eighth Air Force.

Doolittle nameplate used during World War II.

Related Fact Sheets
The Memphis Belle: American Icon and 25th Mission
Memphis Belle Crew
The “Memphis Belle” and Nose Art
26th Mission: War Bond Tour
“Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress”
Heavy Bomber “Firsts”
Combat Aircraft to Museum Artifact
Crippling the Nazi War Machine: USAAF Strategic Bombing in Europe
Enabling Technologies
Key Leaders
Early Operations (1942 to mid-1943) - Eighth Air Force in England
Ninth/Twelfth Air Forces in the Mediterranean
Combat Box/Communication and Life at 25K
Keeping them Flying: Mechanics and Armorers
Combined Bomber Offensive: Summer 1943 to Victory
Bigger Raids, Bigger Losses, and Crisis
Deadly Skies over Europe (Luftwaffe defense)
Bomber Crew Protection
Operation Tidalwave (Ploesti, 1 Aug 43)
Regensburg/Schweinfurt (17 Aug 43)
Black Thursday/Schweinfurt (14 Oct 43)
Fifteenth Air Force (created Sep 43)
Gunners
Women’s Army Corps
Fighter Escort: Little Friends
Big Week (20-25 Feb 44)
Target Berlin
Operation Frantic: Shuttle Raids to the Soviet Union
Blind Bombing
D-Day Support
Strategic Bombing Victorious
Epilogue

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