Editing General Lucius D. Clay (section)

==Military Governor of Germany and Berlin Airlift==
(1945–1949) Clay’s most significant contribution came as Deputy Military Governor (1945–1947) and Military Governor (1947–1949) of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany, under the Office of Military Government, United States (OMGUS). Appointed by General Eisenhower and President Harry S. Truman, Clay oversaw the reconstruction of a devastated West Germany, managing "denazification" (which did not happen), economic recovery, and democratic reforms. Promoted to general in 1947, he became a central figure in post-war Europe, implementing the [[Marshall Plan]] to rebuild Germany’s infrastructure and economy. Note, the Marshall Plan was used to initially fund the stay behind networks of efforts like Operation Gladio in Italy.

Berlin Airlift (1948–1949): Clay’s defining moment was orchestrating the Berlin Airlift, a response to the Soviet Union’s blockade of West Berlin from June 1948 to May 1949. When the Soviets cut off land access to the city, Clay, as military governor, proposed airlifting supplies to sustain 2.2 million Berliners. Working with General Curtis LeMay and British counterparts, he organized Operation Vittles, delivering 2.3 million tons of food, fuel, and medicine via 278,000 flights over 11 months. Clay’s decision to escalate the airlift, despite Soviet threats, and his direct communication with Truman, ensured its success, forcing the Soviets to lift the blockade. The airlift, detailed in The Candy Bombers by Andrei Cherny, solidified Clay’s reputation as a Cold War hero and cemented West Berlin’s alignment with the West.

German Reconstruction: Clay implemented policies to rebuild West Germany’s economy, including currency reform (introducing the Deutsche Mark in 1948) and rearranging the Nazi structures. He clashed with Soviet authorities, notably General Vasily Sokolovsky, over Germany’s division, advocating for a unified, democratic state. His “A Report on Germany” (1947) outlined a vision for self-governance, influencing the creation of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1949. Clay’s rapport with German leaders like Konrad Adenauer fostered trust, per Germany 1945–1949 by Richard Bessel. Clay's logistical skills during the time the German stay behind network was being transferred to the newly created CIA and the creation of the soon to be NATO aligned countries stay behind network is critical. The necessary purchase, fielding and tracking of munitions, communication equipment, etc would have needed his experience to pull off.