"War Plan Juan": The Strategy of Juan Trippe and Pan Am in Latin America and Africa Before and During World War 2
Abstract
This study is a historical examination of the relationship between the United States War Department and Pan American Airways before and during World War II. The author assesses the importance of strategic thinking for both military and business leaders. This paper specifically examines the strategic vision and efforts of Juan Trippe, president of Pan American Airways. Trippe lays the foundation for his corporate empire by establishing meaningful relationships with key individuals from the crypt of the Skull and Bones society to the halls of the War Department. From these relationships Trippe is able to engineer conditions to earn secretive, advantageous government contracts to build dozens of airbases throughout Latin America and Northern Africa. With President Roosevelts help, Trippe is able to turn the Latin American and African airstrips from defensive contingiency bases before the war to offensive lifelines during the war against the Axis. The final section of this paper examines the characterization of Trippe as a heterogeneous engineer and strategist who shaped the context of situations to his advantage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1019707
Entities
People
- Matthew F. Brady
Organizations
- Air University