Caleb V. Haynes

This article is about the USAF major general. For the archaeologist, see Vance Haynes.

Caleb V. Haynes
Birth nameCaleb Vance Haynes
BornMarch 15, 1895
Dobson, North Carolina, United States
DiedApril 5, 1966(1966-04-05) (aged 71)
Carmel, California, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army Air Service
United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Forces
 United States Air Force
Years of service1917–1953[1]
Rank Major General
Commands116th Observation Squadron, 41st Division Aviation

37th Pursuit Squadron
37th Attack Squadron
49th Bombardment Squadron
41st Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range)
25th Bombardment Group
Borinquen Field
Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command
Bomber Command of the China Air Task Force
India Air Task Force of the Tenth Air Force
American Air Command Number One
I Bomber Command of First Air Force
III Bomber Command
Newfoundland Base, Atlantic Division of Air Transport Command

3750th Technical Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross (3)
Mackay Trophy
Order of the Merit of Chile
Distinguished Service Medal
Air Medal (2)
Commendation Medal
Silver Star (2)[2]

Caleb Vance Haynes (March 15, 1895[3] – April 5, 1966) was a United States Air Force (USAF) major general. The grandson of Chang Bunker, a famous Siamese Twin, he served in the Air Force as an organizer, able to create air units from scratch. He commanded a large number of groups, squadrons and task forces before, during and after World War II.[1]

In the 1930s, Haynes, a rated command pilot, led experimental long-range over-water interception flights that were key to the development of U.S. air defense doctrine. Haynes demonstrated by piloting one of the bombers that intercepted the Italian liner SS Rex that enemy ships could be located and sunk by American aircraft. As well, Haynes helped promote air power by flying long range missions to various countries in South America.

Described as "a big, hulking mountaineer",[4] Haynes was a "pilot's pilot",[5] the kind of air officer who led from the front. Fighting in China in 1942, Haynes commanded a small force of bombers under Claire Chennault, and was known for his expert flying ability and his daring. Chennault said that "Haynes looked like a gorilla and flew like an angel."[5]

  1. ^ a b "USAF Biography: Major General Caleb V. Haynes". Archived from the original on June 13, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  2. ^ Official Army Register, 1946. Page 305. "Haynes, Caleb V." (O11055) Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  3. ^ Fogerty, Robert P. (1953). "Biographical Data on Air Force General Officers, 1917-1952, Volume 1 – A thru L" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. pp. 808–810. USAF historical studies: no. 91. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ Belden, Jack (August 10, 1942). "Chennault Fights to Hold the China Front: His new Army Air Force takes offensive against Japs". LIFE. Vol. 13, no. 6. pp. 70–77. ISSN 0024-3019. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  5. ^ a b Boyd, John (1996). Tenko Rangoon Jail. Nashville: Turner Publishing. pp. 31–34. ISBN 1-56311-286-8. Retrieved February 4, 2010.