World War II was a critical period for America, not to mention the world as well. Throughout all the fighting and bloodshed, Americans returned home successful. Over 700,000 soldiers were disabled after the war, thankful for their lives. All the success and happiness of this country wouldn’t have been possible if not for the bravery, courage, and strategies of our U.S. Generals. They provided the smarts, the morale, and motivation for our soldiers, navy, and airforce to come out victorious and recognized as the best in world history. The five major generals (George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, Omar Bradley, and Douglas MacArthur) shall never be forgotten as the best generals America has ever had.
General George C. Marshall was Army Chief of Staff during World War II. General Marshall planned some important strategies against the Japanese. He was born on December 31, 1880, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was educated at Virginia Military Institute. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry in 1901 and served in the Philippine Islands from 1902 to 1903. During World War I he served as chief of operations with the U.S. First Army in France. He became a colonel in 1918 and received wide military recognition for his handling of troops and equipment during the Saint Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne operations. From 1919 to 1924 he was aide to the U.S. commander in chief, General John Pershing, and during the next three years he saw service in China. Marshall taught in various army schools and organizations from 1927 to 1936, when he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
In 1939 Marshall was appointed U.S. army chief of staff with the rank of general. He directed U.S. preparations for war over two years, and after the nation's entry into World War II in December 1941, he was chiefly responsible for the training, organization, and deployment of U.S. troops in all sectors of the fighting, and for the appointment of commanders in all major operations. As one of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's principal advisers on strategy, Marshall participated in the Allied conferences at Casablanca, Québec, Tehran (Teheran), Yalta, and Potsdam. In 1944 he was promoted to the rank of General of the Army. When he retired in 1945, President Harry S. Truman appointed him special representative, with the rank of ambassador, to China. He spent two years in China attempting to mediate the differences between the Chinese Communist and Nationalist leaders, but was unsuccessful.
Things quickly turned around in 1950, once Brigadier General Theodore R. Wessels became leader. He was also respon...
General Douglas Macarthur was one of the most well known military figures in the history of the United States. He gave his farewell speech to congress on 19th April 1951 and went into retirement after 52 years of service in the United States army. He was given the chance to address his final message to the US government. This analysis carefully examines his ethics, goals, strategies, strengths and weaknesses. The speech is very famous and highly popular among the American audience. Therefore, we will take into account all factors to critically evaluate the speech and find out what makes it important.
The events for the Japanese side begin on December 12, 1932 when Isoroku Yamamoto was appointed Director of the Aeronautical Department of the Navy Ministry. He inspired reliance and assurance with the opportunity to make the air fleet a resourceful part for the Navy. He established a long needed driving force toward the future. It was Yamamoto's temperament that also had to do with his strategy and lead on his next groundwork. Yamamoto's assessment of the war with the United States came from his extensive research he did while attending Harvard University and his service as naval ambassador in Washington. He became familiar with the United States strengths and weaknesses. It was August, 1939 that Yamamoto was appointed Commander in Chief due to his knowledge base of the United States and his Naval command that earned him this position. Yamamoto determined that if Japan was to have the lead in the war, they would have to destroy the US Pacific Fleet in a long range, preventive attack using aircra...
It is clear that the two generals did not care for each other before World War II even started, as they “rubbed each other the wrong way” when they first met while stationed at Fort Leavenworth together from 1908-1911. When Marshall became MacArthur’s superior, MacArthur would say, “My worst enemy has always been behind me.” The two had their quarrels from the time they met up until the end of World War I, which had been evident for many spectators to witness. However, both MacArthur and Marshall were able to put their hostility towards each other aside when they had to focus on the task at hand in order to help the American military progress. There were times in which General Marshall would encourage and support the decisions MacArthur made, and there were times in which Marshall would not support the actions of MacArthur during the course of World War II. The support for MacArthur endured during the first half of America’s participation in World War II, whereas Marshall’s support and encouragement had become minimal towards the end when MacArthur’s “egotistic” attitude had taken the best of
He had one year in command of the Atlantic Submarine Flotilla before coming ashore in 1913 for duty in connection with building the diesel engines for the tanker USS Maumee at Groton, Conn. In that same year, he was sent to Germany and Belgium to study engines at their Diesel Plants. With that experience he subsequently served as Executive Officer and Engineering Officer of the Maumee until 1917 when he was assigned as Aide and Chief of Staff.
His remarkable abilities as a staff officer led to quick promotion. After serving as chief of police affairs of the Kwantung army (the Japanese army in China), he became its chief of staff in 1937. He was appointed vice minister of war in May 1938 and director of military aviation in December. In July 1940, as minister of war, he drafted new mobilization plans that strained diplomatic relations with the United States.
First, I conducted research and found some interesting things about MacArthur that I did not know. MacArthur was the commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific during World War 2. His family had a firm military background. His father had been awarded for his service in the Union Army during the Civil War. MacArthur attended West Texas Military Academy and played several sports. After high school he enrolled in the Military Academy at West Point and graduated with honors. Following graduation he was hired as a junior office in the Army Corps of Engineers and spent a long time accomplishing diverse duties (Douglas MacArthur Biography). To many people MacArthur was considered skilled, straightforward, and self-centered. His
General George C. Marshall Jr. was born on December 31, 1880 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania and was the youngest of three children. As a child, George was the sibling that always got in trouble, especially when it came to school. Eventually he metamorphosed into a distinguished military officer. Marshall contributed to both World Wars, served as Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, as well as took a leadership role in the American Red Cross Association. From assisting in the planning of the St. Mihiel and Meuse- Argonne offensive to establishing Operation Overload and having a main part in training and organizing the troops in World War II, George C. Marshall’s career reflects his execution of the officer attributes and competencies.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during World War II, was close to not achieving commander status. If this had happened, a different person would have taken control over Operations Torch, Avalanche, and Overlord. Eisenhower, in fact, was the key component in the victory for the Allies. Had he not been assigned by George Marshall to a planning officer in Washington D.C., President Harry Truman might not have saw Eisenhower’s potential. Eisenhower’s past 30 years of military experience, his strong mental and social stature, and his ideas and tactics were all key factors for his triumphant victory in World War II.
In 1914 the First World War, or the Great War, broke out in Europe. It
General John Pershing was arguably one of the most creative, tactical commanders and of the last century. His commitment to his troops, his duty, and his loyalty to the United States and his sense of honor fashioned one of the greatest leaders our country has ever seen. His contributions to the modern army is beyond reproach (Perry, 2011).
Source A gives the impression that Field Marshall Haig was high ranking leader in the army and possibly quite wealthy. This opinion is due to the Marshall having clean-cut hair and a formal uniform with medals/pins, as well as being have to have his photo taken.
When General Eisenhower retired from his job as chief of staff in 1948, Bradley assumed the position until he became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position made necessary by the recent unification of the armed forces. Soon involved in supporting military operations in Korea, Bradley was caught up first with getting additional forces to MacArthur and then in the controversy between the Far East commander and Washington over policy.
America lost a lot of lives during World War II, but without leaders like Major Richard Winters we would not have only lost many lives but, also would have lost the war. If it was not for Winters’ leadership style being a devoted leader not only to his country but also to his men, a leader that set the example; leads from the front not the back, and a determined and effective leader. Easy Company would have lost more men than any of us could imagine. Bless our men and women, who fought for our freedom!
During the Second World War a series of events took place. One of them was the Battle of Bataan, which took place in the island of the Philippines. Of those thousands of brave men were given duties to fulfil. The soldiers who participated in this eventful battle suffered from disease, lack of food, torture from Japanese and other challenges due to the terrein. Despite not coming out as victories these Allied soldiers taught America of the most valuable lessons. Soldiers had a job, a traumatic experience, and taught the US a valuable lesson.