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Major General Carl A. Spaatz, circa 1945.
Credit: United States Air Force Museum
After Hap Arnold retired in 1946, Spaatz became commanding general of the Army Air Force, and in 1947 first Chief of Staff of the new United States Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force in 1948, Spaatz served from 1948 until 1959 as National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol.