We The People: This Day in History, October 15

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - On October 15, 1943, Texas native General Ira Eaker took command of all U.S. air forces in the U.K., leading both the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces.

A pioneer of daylight precision bombing, he played a major role in the Allied air strategy that helped defeat Nazi Germany.

Later, he commanded the massive Mediterranean Allied Air Forces and helped oversee the order from Washington to drop the atomic bomb.

After retiring in 1947, Eaker became a journalist and national security commentator.

He received more than 50 decorations and was promoted to four-star general by Congress in 1985.

He passed away in 1987 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.