Recently discovered LeMay painting presented to wing

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  There are quite a few people who will make a quick stop just to see what bargains or hidden gems are being offered at a neighborhood garage sale.

Recently, Pete Vidito, a retired Marine Corps captain, and his wife, Judy, saw an oil painting of an ocean coastline that caught their eye.

"The garage sale was right around the corner from our home," he said. "My wife spotted a painting while we were driving by and said, 'I want that painting.'"

After purchasing the painting for $20, the Vidito's brought it home and started looking at it a little closer. They discovered it was signed by Helen LeMay and that got them to wondering. Was this the handiwork of someone related to Gen. Curtis LeMay, former chief of staff of the Air Force?

"We're from that generation and so we certainly know who General LeMay was," Vidito said. "So we Googled it and found out that his wife was in fact a painter."

The Vidito's talked about it and felt they should let the base know of their discovery, so Pete sat down and wrote a letter to the 55th Wing commander.

"I thought this was something that should be on display," he said. "If they wanted it, we would certainly give it to them."

Shortly thereafter Pete was out mowing the lawn when Judy motioned to him that he had a phone call. It was Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th WG commander, on the line.

"He was just delightful," Vidito said. "He said we'd give an arm and a leg for that painting."

The Vidito's packed up the painting and made the short trip over from the Benson area of Omaha to deliver the unique piece of history to the wing.

"We're so grateful that the Vidito's discovered this painting and wanted to share it with us," Bacon said. "Mrs. Lemay was a very active oil painter and we are honored to have one of her works here on base."

The LeMay's lived in the area for quite some time as General LeMay was the commander of Strategic Air Command at Offutt from 1947-1957.

"We want to put this on display so that the public can see this piece of art," Bacon said. "It's such a neat thing to have one of Mrs. LeMay's paintings and we're very excited about it."

The Vidito's said they were glad they came across the painting before it was thrown away or lost forever.

"I hope they put up a plaque next to it so they know who in fact painted it," Vidito said. "It's such a unique piece."

LeMay's painting of the Northern California coastline will now reside at the Patriot Club or Quarters 13.