This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Kuter, Laurence Sherman, Gen USAF(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Rockford, Illinois
Last Address Naples, Florida
Date of Passing Nov 30, 1979
Location of Interment United States Air Force Academy Cemetery (VLM) - Colorado Springs, Colorado
He was one of the founding fathers of the independent Air Force and a framer of the Air War Plan document that mapped out the defeat of Germany in World War II.
He was also an instrumental strategist in the formation of two major commands for the newly independent Air Force, Military Air Transport Service and Pacific Air Forces. He also became the commander. He was the youngest general officer in the Army in 1942, and he never served in the active rank of colonel. His was the first "jump" promotion of an officer as young as 36 since the Civil War when William T. Sherman was promoted. The next youngest general officer at that time was 46.
Synopsis of his ADSM (1st of 3) citation: Awarded for actions during the World War II
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Major General Laurence S. Kuter (ASN: 0-16777/89A), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War II.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 48 (1945)
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications (Spitfire Mk Vb) Replica Mk VB on display in 2009
Data from The Great Book of Fighters[154] and Jane�??s Fighting Aircraft of World War II[155]
General characteristics
* Crew: one pilot * Length: 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m) * Wingspan: 36 ft 10 in (11.23 m) * Height: 11 ft 5 in (3.86 m) * Wing area: 242.1 ft² (22.48 m²) * Airfoil: NACA 2209.4(tip) * Empty weight: 5,090 lb (2,309 kg) * Loaded weight: 6,622 lb (3,000 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 6,770 lb (3,071 kg) * Powerplant: 1�? Rolls-Royce Merlin 45 supercharged V12 engine, 1,470 hp at 9,250 ft (1,096 kW at 2,820 m)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 378 mph, (330 kn, 605 km/h) * Combat radius: 410 nmi (470 mi, 760 km) * Ferry range: 991 nmi (1,140 mi, 1,840 km) * Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (11,300 m) * Rate of climb: 2,665 ft/min (13.5 m/s) * Wing loading: 24.56 lb/ft² (119.91 kg/m²) * Power/mass: 0.22 hp/lb (0.36 kW/kg)
Armament
* Guns: Mk I, Mk II, Mk VA o (VA) 8 �? .303in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 350 rpg
* o (VB on) 2 �? 20 mm (0.787-in) Hispano Mk II cannon, 60 rpg (drum magazine); (VC) 120 rpg (belt loaded, box magazine) o 4 �? 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, 350 rpg * Bombs: o 2 �? 250 lb (113 kg) bombs