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
Model Boeing B-29A Superfortress Length 99.02 ft | 30.18 m Width 142.26 ft | 43.36 m Height 29.56 ft | 9.01 m Engine(s) 4 x Wright R-3350-57 radial piston engines generating 2,200hp. Empty Weight 71,361 lbs | 32,369 kg MTOW 141,102 lbs | 64,003 kg Max Speed 358 mph | 576 km/h | 311 kts Max Range 4,100 miles | 6,598 km Ceiling 31,808 ft | 9,695 m | 6.0 miles Climb Rate 526.3 ft/min (160.4 m/min) Hardpoints 0 Armament 4 x 12.7mm machine guns in electrically-operated dorsal turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in electrically-operated under-nose turret 2 x 12.7mm machine guns electrically-operated turret over rear fuselage. 2 x 12.7mm machine guns electrically-operated turret under rear fuselage 2 x 12.7mm machine guns in tail gun position 1 x 20mm cannon in tail gun position
6,000lbs or internal ordnance. Accommodations 10 Operators the United States of America
