Lt. Col. Claire Patterson Chennault, USAAF

Papa is doing well. His memory is the big problem. He can still tell you about his airplanes and some great war stories! He is still driving...shudder shudder!!

Patti

Lt. Col. Chennault was born on November 24, 1920 in Gilbert, LA to the union of General Claire Chennault and Nell Thompson Chennault and passed from this life at this residence on Monday October 3, 2011.

Lt. Col. Chennault served with the United States Army Air Force from January 1943 until his retirement in 1966. He served with the 433rd Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing Eighth Air Force, Lt. Col., Pilot P51; his combat experience includes with over 300 Combat Hours over Europe. His awards include Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medical with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Three Bronze Stars and Credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Hilma Keys Chennault, his second wife Grace McKelvey Chennault, his son John Charles Chennault, his brothers Jack, Charles, Daniel and Robert Chennault, his sisters Peggy Lee and May Chennault.

Survivors include his children Butch Chennault and fiancé' Ronnie; Suzi McGarry and husband Bill; Patti Smith and husband Rusty; Bobby Chennault and wife Sarah; his grandchildren Jerry Chennault and wife Monica, Lee Rae and husband Butch, Pattie Claire Clifton and husband Brad, Beau Smith and wife Carie; and Benji Smith; great grandchildren Jeremiah, Quaid, Phyllis, Christen, Kaitlin, Hunter, Tara, Adam, Aaron, Drake, Kezlie, Chloe, Gunner, Ryder, Amlih, Cai and Garr; his sister Rosemary Simrall; also survived by 3 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.