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...
Operational leaders see how the individual components of an organization fit together and use those individuals work to make a larger outcome. When they focus on a problem, they think of what works best within the process and systems to make an impact on the situation. These types of leaders play a big part in making sure that things get done in an effective and functioning manner. According to the Army Doctrine ADP 6-0, the Army over time has strayed away from operational leaders and adapted Mission Command, which gives leaders the ability at the lowest level the capability to exercise disciplined initiative in an act of carrying out the larger mission . Mission Command is made up of the following six steps: Understanding, Visualize, Describe, Direct, Lead and Assess, in which a commander is responsible for. General Patton understood the intent of the Battle of the Bulge on different levels, he was able to form a mental image for the course of actions for the allies, enemies and lead his Army into combat while guiding his officers and soldiers to succeed in meeting his intent. The Battle of the Bulge is where General Patton gained one of his greatest military achievements by using his tactical leadership and logistical genius, which in return helped him turn around the main forces and forced the Germans to drive back in their final counter-offensive. General Patton strongly exercised Mission Command by understanding, visualizing, leading, and commanding what was known as the largest and bloodiest battle during World War II.
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
Early in his career, Douglas Macarthur was sent to the Philippines and Panama, and was promoted to the position of first lieutenant. In 1906, he joined his father and served under President Theodore Roosevelt. Later, he joined the mission of US occupation of Veracruz, Mexico. In World War 1, he prevailed as the commander of 42nd Division and by the end of the war, he was promoted to brigadier general. From 1919 to 1922, he became the youngest superintendent for West Point Military Aca...
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.
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
The Battle Okinawa lost two of the highest ranking officers to die during WWII, with both Commanding officers dying in the Battle. The battle of Okinawa was an example of applying lessons learned and TTP’s in previous battles along with sound leadership and effective training that ultimately led to the Americans victory. Even without normal intelligence assets the Americans adapted their own TTP’s and used other assets to cover missing intelligence gaps on the battle field. References bryce, R. (n.d.).
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.
After World War I he was stationed at the Panama Canal Zone with General Fox Conner. While being stationed at the Panama Canal Zone, General Conner helped Dwight D. Eisenhower improve his military knowledge and strategies. General Conner urged him to go to a very prestigious army school, the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. General Fox Conner wanted Dwight D. Eisenhower to go to the school so bad he...
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.
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!
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...
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.