Chennault’s Embarrassment
As 1945 began, military discipline and courtesy in the new China Theater came under increasingly-careful scrutiny. Reports that ranged from failure to salute officers and incomplete or improper uniform to public intoxication and coercing local young women to accompany GIs to the photographer’s shop had been received at Chinese-American Composite Wing headquarters. Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault issued a letter to all unit commanders of the 14th Air Force in which he referenced a recently-received radiogram from Maj. Gen. Albert C. Wedemeyer: "The CO was very much displeased with lack of discipline and general sloppy appearance of all ranks and grades.” He urged all personnel under his command to be properly dressed and that they "avail themselves" of the facilities provided for shaving. "Such comments on the state of discipline of this command as quoted above are a source of embarrassment to me and I expect every commander to take immediate vigorous corrective action to prevent a recurrence of this criticism.”