Honorary Sir Ira

It was a busy day for King George VI. In rapid succession he received Field Marshal Smuts, the new Portuguese Ambassador, Ernest Bevin, Sir Alexander Cadogan (pronounced Ka-dug'-gan). But one of the longest audiences of the day was reserved for the sharp-eyed, thin-lipped commander of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Britain, Texas-born Ira Clarence Eaker.

With the three silver stars of a lieutenant general glittering on his shoulders, Eaker drove to Buckingham Palace, flanked by a young aide and an Air Ministry official. In an anteroom the escort stood aside while the General was ushered alone into His Majesty's study. Forty-five minutes later General Eaker emerged, possessor of one of Britain's highest military honors, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division). If Ira Eaker were a British subject he would have been invested as a knight, becoming Sir Ira; since he is as American as a jeep the knighthood was purely honorary.

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