lieutenant general october october distinguished educator senior officer united_states_army served corps commander world war later president best known decision hold battle contrary recommendation general commanding general enlisting assigned 29th infantry regiment worked clerk hoped pressed service playing football sport strongly endorsed army following years enlisted service transferred kansas given opportunity compete officer commission individuals commission selected including general officers new second lieutenant assigned 7th infantry regiment galveston texas soon pressed service responding events created mexican revolution spent seven months occupation duty mexican port city veracruz later assigned douglas arizona unit fighters entry united_states world war april assigned soon saw action battalion commander second battle months later following minor support roles unit led attack offensive regimental commander exceptional battlefield performance october promoted rank colonel youngest officer rank received service following world war served command retired army later acting vice president tenure difficulty key players helping university recover major scandal nearly million dollars recalled service early sicily battles italy march moved command leadership led capture important port city brest france success awarded second distinguished service medal general greatest world war achievement decision hold important city belgium battle following battle corps relentless push germany reaching czechoslovakia recognized general corps commander extraordinary abilities logged days combat world war american general officer retiring army returned appointed university presidency position held years continuing serve army numerous capacities resided louisiana death buried building alma mater library named family early life ancestry born near georgetown mississippi october son august kate thompson december september paternal grandfather served private american_civil_war maternal grandfather confederate soldier died hospital mississippi great great grandfather captain served georgia american revolutionary war son grandson extensive land interests maryland property near miles south present day future site home president george_washington paid expenses incurred fighting indians commissioned second lieutenant troop cavalry early life fifth children grew end 19th century acre plantation southeastern plantation virtually self contained community variety depending season favorites local plentiful fish catch loved hunt particularly gauge shotgun family episcopal heritage miles west georgetown church sunday morning education conducted small near oldest sister emily came home share knowledge different subjects family having exhausted educational opportunities available home father asked interested college education finding attractive proposition summer age fourteen mile train trip begin studies later young age required complete year preparatory school enrolled year program essence final year high school living dormitory following students college students treated like cadets military academy marching meals beginning day week day cleanup study time morning march breakfast usually short chapel classes broken lunch athletics dinner study followed playing lights particularly military atmosphere settled routine year passed quickly highlight preparatory year came february brought band attracting people state packing seat mess hall train band stop held hour concert extended repeated calls student corps organized battalion size cadets freshman year began cadet corporal junior year appointed cadet senior cadet rank lieutenant colonel student commander cadets organized battalions working military officer charge cadets took additional responsibilities paid month involved numerous activities college days took leadership roles vice president president school photographed occasion beloved shot gun allowed dormitory room use hunting weekends campus activities fill schedule president junior class senior year commandant select club restricted seniors good social academic military standing favorite activities baseball football played sports college early tenure season baseball failed chemistry course spent classroom laboratory instead athletic fields playing baseball football games gave students chance leave campus took train play teams state region games played suitable field found football games played jackson graduated bachelor degree spring hoping appointment west point opportunity presented age young examination army commission taking advice army officer decided enlist united_states_army early service enlisted service march enlisted 29th fort porter buffalo new_york work company clerk private earned month paid gold scarce paid silver private tired desk work quickly asked soldier happen fort porter talents football player known pressed duty quarterback local team played civilian teams buffalo area army teams fort near years play lot football sport strongly endorsed army getting commission officer returned unit served enlisted member exception talents quarterback felt football provided finest training received army said met good football player wasn good soldier officer commission months serving army got promotion corporal promotions came slowly occurred position vacated getting promoted retiring shortly promotion june corporal transferred kansas chance compete army commission attended intensive training course prepare written examination required second lieutenant commission civilians enlisted men took exam passed commissioned score middle passing scores passing college graduates coming schools harvard yale stanford including general officers addition taking written exam applicants horse riding test having grown riding horses family plantation scored exam officer charge thought want cavalry wanted infantry leaving officer stunned skills consider spending time walking instead riding fine horse having passed exam recommended commission president november wasn new president sworn following march new congress convened successful candidates confirmed senate appointment dated november interim period transferred fort galveston texas arrived early fort deployment mexico february reported second lieutenant commission assigned 7th infantry regiment large united_states_army rotating response trouble mexico mexico president overthrown reform leader beginning mexican revolution nearly decade supported general putting series revolts following year assassinated general seized power countries recognized government president hoped return mexico constitutional government backing troops fort went waiting mode preparing president action support american interests april waiting military units ended american troops command brigadier general sent mexico navy taken port city veracruz ordered occupation city landing party went unopposed settled occupation duty shot fired spent total seven months mexico returned home galveston november marriage arriving fort adapted garrison life engaging galveston social scene attending saturday night dances town dance navy lieutenant introduce later wife attended georgetown texas debut galveston society following death father come live aunt uncle heart galveston merchant drove touring car people town rode wagons met soon regular visitor house calling following seven months mexico return galveston brought special anticipation proposed earlier time renewed proposal return couple married january allowed new_orleans days later members unit anniversary served century earlier week new_orleans couple returned galveston invited house given large upstairs room fort bliss galveston second major hurricane hit texas coastline mid august army units scattered safe locations away storm path units remaining secure buildings downtown galveston chose ride storm house following storm cleanup october ordered fort bliss texas events mexico command brigadier general highly capable officer ranks promoted captain brigadier general exceptional service philippine american war time supported united_states felt betrayed americans backed january villa followers known attacked train killed american businessmen aboard months later villa men crossed border united_states attacked town columbus new_mexico killing additional americans following attacks took forces mexico pursue preceding events sent douglas arizona perform border security squad men fired unsuccessfully attacked mexican village border douglas men hit killed returned late december preparation war hunt ended unsuccessfully americans war raging europe following months mexico called begin preparing troops larger conflict april president wilson requested congress declare war month assigned national park continue training promoted lieutenant july little half years second lieutenant pending war promotions frequent year promoted captain preparation buildup strength army train large officers june assigned virginia outside washington adjutant reserve officer training camp camps organized civilians turn officers ninety days adjutant responsible directing flow officer candidates november camp graduated class officers requested join combat division request granted december reported near charlotte north_carolina days later received new orders commander reserve officer training camp texas reported ordered stayed mission complete april technically loan request rejoin unit granted soon way france world war believing camp wired find unit way overseas caught train new_york arrived april found division camp mills long_island living tents awaiting transport given command battalion departed new_york regiment aboard princess convoy fourteen ships days france fleet destroyers met convoy escorted port city brest arrived division organized days subsequently loading troop train arrive assignment reserve unit british south americans gave springfield rifles british available ammunition germans began offensive north paris 4th trains sent miles west 4th reserve unit badly battered 42nd division late july promoted moved battalion support 42nd division ensuing operation called second battle days heavy fighting took place fresh month rest veteran germans fought determination americans able push miles considerable cost americans casualties relieved sent saint area undertake small support role major given task directing unit transport complicated requirement night equipment personnel drawn horse unit moved hundreds thousands french germans casualties earlier war major engagement world war promoted lieutenant colonel september shortly commencement operation called offensive time war assigned miles wide seasoned french divisions miles lieutenant colonel battalion led attack americans september day covered miles breaking german defenses entire 47th infantry regiment hold gains second command charge battalion assigned regiment staff position weeks october given command 39th infantry regiment commander regimental staff casualties following gas attack clock morning find way 39th headquarters prepare battle shortly led new regiment enemy held territory tactic called marching fire troops constantly fired weapons moving mile heavy woods compelled dug concealed germans surrender allowed edge days taking command 39th days ninth birthday promoted colonel youngest officer attain rank received exceptional battlefield performance october withdrawn battle line days continuous contact enemy longest period combat american division war given command regiment 47th early november 4th division relieved african american regiment near preparing chase german defenders lead attack attack november received confidential news armistice imminent following morning messenger brought word firing celebration ranks work soon assigned germany occupying force occupation germany late november began road march miles french city german city final destination town miles west road trip took days moving rain ended driving december march broke character rode horse day surveying troops occasionally talk formation marched minutes hour rested hour lunch regiment dispersed villages area colonel stayed large home owners continued live stay 47th continued training building rifle range running combat problems practicing lessons learned recent combat operations early march nearly months 47th ordered area rhine morning breakfast aide colonel come day inform regiment new orders 47th regiment given mission guarding bridge years later 47th guard bridge world war regiment remained given orders return home mid summer departure europe summoned report army chief staff informed senior officers assigned camp georgia form faculty established sailed brest mid july met wife new_york traveled columbus georgia way washington atlanta military schools years following world war instructor student succession military schools army officers attend careers arrived columbus georgia strong praise superiors soon efficiency report brigadier general wrote best officer seen rapid promotion captain july colonel october good grade gets better results quiet way officer met wonderful grasp situations fine sense proportion world war branches army specialty schools infantry situation amended change new faculty member miles columbus rank reverted permanent rank captain following war instructor new school years member set research weapons tactics jobs board evaluate new weapons equipment point tested new rifle eventually rifle standard weapon infantry world war month class new infantry school began september students taken curriculum weapons tactics captain youngest faculty member school staff ideal instructor fresh experiences recent war years instructor promotion major july prevailed commanders allowed advanced infantry course student month course included instruction combined arms tactical principles decisions military history economics ended written thesis junior members class finished class following advanced course spent summer senior instructor reserve officer training camp fort logan colorado returned camp year member years ready expressing wishes senior officer assigned summer place years earlier prepare officer commission command youngest majors army found officers years senior army command kansas students attended month school qualify higher commands met classmate friends predicted completing course finishes nearly students prediction came true finished 14th class finished 8th exceptional class performance half dozen graduates invited stay years instructor school second year teaching command students come office sit corner desk pump information knowing commanded regiment combat france asked practical questions motivated finished class nearly officer commanded division europe world war attended command tenure point time world war corps commander europe student final year received orders attend year highest level professional military education fulfilling spent time school library wrote staff memorandum equivalent thesis subject army transportation recalling personal experience horses france recommended transport significantly replace army use livestock commandant school commended work exceptional merit sent ideas highest levels late career having spent previous years army schools major requested return camp wife friends request approved assigned battalion commander 29th infantry regiment unit enlisted nineteen years earlier fort porter year told assigned changed new requirement career officers brought attention officers expected assignment civilian component army national_guard reserves reserve officer training corps option appealed wanted work school south opening soon headed duty july stopped new headquarters fort atlanta drove west family louisiana family home years major commandant cadets professor military science headquarters learned predecessor louisiana governor told stories governor curious day arriving town meeting turned somewhat awkward major began friendship men governor long loved loved cadet corps mentioned cadet band dozen members tag governor saw band grow members governor long enjoyed fanfare negotiate special cadets band transported athletic events region governor dealings transformed rate school largest university south tenure presidency university changed hands president president governor long end fourth year campus president smith asked stay additional year responded accept cleared smith request extension approved end fifth year smith went step suggesting retire army permanent member staff consider retirement accepted sixth year program began sixth year campus promoted lieutenant colonel early final year campus pressed university president retire army work college began looking suitable follow assignment having overseas sixteen years request duty philippines finished tenure summer having overseen increase students completing program cadets philippines retirement august drive new_york_city boarded ship philippines trip took days included passage panama canal stops panama san_francisco hawaii guam arrived hawaii greeted wife duty honolulu sailed boat san_diego hawaii later sailed states end tour assigned assistant inspector general army headquarters manila listened complaints travelled army installations including fort william months philippine tour received telegram president smith offer job dean administration salary year hospital undergoing testing heart telegram arrived showed lieutenant visiting said offer salary excellent lieutenant colonel said stay army spent years panama aide general knew terms treaty versailles ignored adolf_hitler nazis certain war coming soon reasoned time officer combat experience getting army junior lieutenant colonel prospect general officer remote giving matter thought ultimately decided retire army decision wired president smith advising ready civilian accept university post left philippines making long trip united_states stopped hong_kong japan china route san_francisco lieutenant colonel officially retired army october began service tenure year new job administrative dean went smoothly new house built highland road near campus oil field discovered property bringing royalties pay property times university enrollment began climb football team finished outstanding seasons coach winning regular season games photographed breaking ground new faculty club year campus grew areas running june campus given shock years recover new_orleans newspaper ran photo page showing truck unloading building materials suburban new_orleans revealing illegal operation ensuing investigation led discovery president smith nearly million dollars university money cover losses chicago wheat market smith stood trial sent superintendent grounds buildings involved scandal served time atlanta tax state governor resigned soon found guilty federal charges sent atlanta serve time met special session end june directed business management university school finances state chaos effort time dig mess dean acting president acting vice president chose accounting professors work new_york firm hired come establish sound business procedures revelation illegal activities expenditures routinely cash basis university funding program money thrown single account university bond violated new leadership advertise louisiana newspapers find owed money year dealing situation required hour days days week process required overtime year faculty staff members accustomed making purchases bids purchase orders knowledge budget educated accepted business procedures rest world operated helping recover traumatic ordeal keeping eye events europe july wrote letter general asking services needed army united_states making preparations war marshall replied army like uniform army place training role effectively use battle experience stayed describing days long days want year found work association satisfying rewarding felt period time able greatest contribution institution good past world war dove hunting son friend sunday morning december having successful morning trio decided break lunch come bag limits afternoon arrived home mid day meal greeted news attack pearl harbor end dove hunting began plans day reported president announcing intention offer services sent telegram announcing availability service day received reply report active duty lieutenant colonel january allowing time affairs order having returned active military duty assigned training regiment camp georgia quickly promoted colonel february oversaw combat training thousands recruits months given rapid succession assignments including camp gordon georgia camp florida called washington given assignment staff officer london rapidly changed subsequently called met classmate command brigadier general told assigned fifth fort massachusetts returning florida early june pick personal effects received orders fort word promoted brigadier general mid june reported fifth known division consisting troops oklahoma including colorado arizona new_mexico commanding general fifth suspected going replaced combat experience informed late summer happened given command division promotion major general summer 45th training massachusetts command winter training pine camp new_york temperature degrees zero snow drifted head high soldier division cartoon showing kitchen frozen column descended garbage outside later famous cartoons world war won pulitzer prizes work february training moved virginia mountain training ship shore training norfolk virginia maryland early april division camp sent north_africa staff begin planning ensuing military operation went headquarters commander general morocco stayed nearly month command sicily landings summer 45th combat loaded division coming united_states division scheduled sail norfolk june left complete planning landing hostile shore time reporting headquarters general algeria operation bradley subordinate british overall direction time division arrived algeria planning complete unit able run rehearsal western algeria embarking sicily sicily fifth division turn subordinate overall command invasion called british general sir british forces organized commanded general fifth division consisted infantry regiments numerous elements fighting alongside fifth division numerous support units attached fifth departed july little attention paid fact independence day day trip sicily smooth turned fairly rough prevalent troops weather troop ships near town western sicily south coast july landing craft filled craft approached shoreline navy opened volley preparatory fire primary mission fifth capture airfields needed allied aircraft miles shore captured day american planes day took days division capture miles inland objective fifth fight german italian forces route north coast sicily plan use highway sicily major highways highway originally american sector montgomery word change boundaries given word eventually came alexander boundaries changed meant fifth reached highway frozen place opportunity advance willing sit remainder battle moved division right left traveling ninety miles way areas american divisions position march north july elements fifth reached north coast island miles east termini taking thirteen days south coast north coast division moved east coast reaching objective santo july stormed germans fought forcing german rear guard area following morning end active fighting fifth sicily division endured casualties taking nearly prisoners moved replace fifth upcoming invasion italian mainland recalling events sicily biography noted strain relationship general comfortable humor felt cartoons published division newspaper consistently defended verbally ordered rid cartoons told order writing issue dropped soon worry soldiers suspected hospitals incidents brought general public condemnation loss command italian mainland month august rest planning seven plans invasion italy table adopted british operation americans called major general commanded lieutenant general plan called landing allied forces vicinity italy miles north sicily allied landings beach occurred september regiments landing following day regiment division land different point held reserve general clark responsible miles german defensive positions allies gained little ground days operation clark commander sent confidential memo indicating contemplating taking troops beaches telling staff leaving spread word troops good time hard fighting morning september units fifth particularly hard fighting large tobacco factory consisting imposing stone buildings somewhat circular pattern germans dug repulsed americans initially aid naval gun fire germans eventually pushed lieutenant general clark visited later day convinced army going stay general supreme allied commander mediterranean visited september observing battle won following day germans pulled area fifth able advance meeting resistance division far right working center italian boot adjacent montgomery responsible eastern half boot september division taken heavy fighting october taken october division corps reserve following weeks action german resistance elements secured town november fighting came large pause allied planners studied action fighting onset autumn rains coupled endless hills deepening mud left knee uncomfortable year hurt right knee years earlier playing football immediate explanation pain left leg studied leg answers late november went hospital naples staying december adequate diagnosis able staff work flew general headquarters north_africa stayed mid january sent united_states communicated marshall army chief staff needed overseas acknowledging difficulty knees said don damn knees want head heart battle litter generals came plan sent army installations tennessee colorado washington brief visit family taking command england sent locations confuse enemy personnel change accompanying sergeant physical civilian life knees twice day year asked staff needed replied staff place aide like old served sicily italy arrived united_kingdom december commanded known years able commander lack combat experience resulted replaced later command division european fighting stop europe assuming command friend commander asked views making commander army thought good idea able fighter agreed concerned army things said press following given command army headquartered north london preparation invasion normandy headquarters town miles birmingham miles northwest london order germans moved headquarters miles north near liverpool appear corps east landing near france ruse effective keeping germans compelling split forces multiple locations french coast instead concentrating forces probable landing point fell army trained england march late weeks invasion corps pulled army placed army army responsible day landings normandy allies established shore bring shortly invasion took corps southampton awaited channel crossing time operation cobra sat southampton day june june began crossing english channel corps lost crossing half headquarters complement members sunken rejoin corps days later entire corps ashore june near cleared beach day point divisions included airborne major general performed soon left corps brittany corps entirely different complement divisions took port city began moving south german forces middle germans high ground fighting complicated countryside series farmers fields forming unit separated walls earth feet high supporting dense trees german defenders advantage americans tanks tip expose thin armor attempted cross barriers mid july field devices developed equip tanks penetrate restore battlefield mobility specially equipped tanks referred tank breaking able roll miles seven days remainder bradley army remained phase fight break peninsula occurred army join fight operation began july american air commanders asked lay carpet bombs germans advancing ground forces poor weather curtailed operation day thousand bombing missions carried following day lieutenant general chief came headquarters witness bombing warned stay corps headquarters away far members party killed got caught stick allied bombs troops killed wounded friendly fire incident bombs fell short intended target despite bombing effective reducing german resistance days able south coast july seized town gateway brittany southern normandy command secured bridges broke brittany brought planned command change noon moved command 12th army group took army army activated group army falling general following breakout found uncomfortable situation allies position pursue germans cautious command infantry divisions armored divisions corps understand moving armor quickly pursuit early august wrote diary dumb don know matter despite wealth battlefield experience years military schooling limited experience conducting pursuit operations bit overwhelmed ultimately allowed armored divisions autonomy operations infantry clean pockets resistance route brest estimates enemy strength turned accurate provided ultimately acknowledged value corps commander presenting distinguished service medal seven weeks calling dumb diary breakout followed brittany coast westward route brest port arrival departure europe world war corps passed turned division town resulting capture germans directed corps major general brest cleaning fell august grow arrived outside brest august met stiff resistance city housing important german submarine extensive machine facilities defended elite german divisions powerful millimeter guns capable destroying armor 6th armored division siege brest required infantry arrived armored division released operations joining siege 8th division commanded 29th division national_guard unit virginia commanded cavalry group ranger battalions commanded colonel later president city organized defense units went capturing defense city german carried dialog siege sent map showing american prisoners held city placed map number red crosses allies knew good bombing targets located ammunition depots wrote telling remove red crosses terms geneva convention ignored reminded allies superior artillery air power battle brest intense destructive weeks constant day night attacks units forced germans positions september sent letter offering opportunity stop surrender city humane reasonable way terms surrender spelled letter reply simply decline proposal unhappy response directed soldiers enter renewed apart job finished week later september germans surrendered staff days combat formal ceremony gave city mayor general arrived pin distinguished service medal oak leaf cluster outstanding conduct campaign brittany resulting capture brest americans captured germans evacuated wounded far exceeding estimate germans given operation captured troops 8th division asked deputy division commander credentials american general pointed rifles carried soldiers told credentials appeared formal surrender clean irish plenty reporters photographers documenting occasion commented english felt like film star soon sent prisoner war camp clinton mississippi miles born raised war spent time prison camp england sent france tried soon released following total years went germany entered concrete business continuing correspondence years following war western france hands allies late september trip east france stopping route visit served distinction great war germans line west france east belgian cities antwerp allies supply lines slow advance resupply assigned mile half belonged 2nd division half 8th division extended german belgian border central october division brought control miles added responsibility corps new added lineup october corps reserve october november divisions ran deception maneuvers confuse germans thoroughly familiar terrain able absorb heavy thrust enemy attacked mid november early december prepared infantry divisions replaced battle weary divisions green division 28th infantry division old division world war taken heavy losses normal strength entering lineup combat experience officers men corps weary mile facing veteran german troops moving position cover darkness battle striking saturday december germans achieved total surprise breaking allied lines beginning commonly called battle germans launched great attack region command campaign goal separate american forces british canadian forces important port city antwerp late afternoon germans divisions operating number swell estimated divisions tanks aircraft located exposed positions corps line 28th division took attack headquartered awakened guard hear guns day able hold position additional german units poured night german river area known division commander major general called concerned regiments east river conversation interrupted resumed end conversation told aide given approval regiments pull west river jones hand convinced directed units stay convinced based written order earlier day received result occur regiments ultimately surrounded men captured december 28th division regiments survived german onslaught intact commanded colonel directly path massive advance december fuller lone regiment german divisions fuller command post attacked escape thwarted taken prisoner heard april released shattered resistance given units greatly slowed german city belgium hub major roads prime target germans seeing capture necessary advance continuous communication bradley 12th headquarters maintained soon surrounded held germans advanced bradley army commander recognized threat headquarters supposed leave december spent night brief relief force division acting commander brigadier general ahead schedule colonel 10th armored division combat command sent welcome guest arriving later evening major general commander route headquarters advised stay night avoid capture germans guests slept elements poured night following day having conferred length previous evening left daylight december set headquarters school building miles southwest days defended elements corps artillery assets able supply units scattered towns surrounding bore attacks second division point december units wanted fall concurred calling approval response hold falling units ordered stay december moved army army surrounded germans adequate weather supplies running low december germans felt position strong send note advising americans surrender city attacked afternoon famous reply nuts sent german commander germans renew attack afternoon muted falling snow stiff american response morning december eighth day fighting day sun emerged thick fog clouds beginning battle able send aircraft day dropping pounds critically needed supplies including artillery rounds delivered morning germans afternoon days germans countered responses americans late afternoon december elements long awaited arrived breaking siege city hitler demanded taken divisions fight germans able break siege broken additional elements coming stipulated priority wounded troops area hospitals despite small opening city clear december germans throwing principal effort response renewed german thrust released new divisions december infantry 11th armored units joined corps lineup time new offensive december shrink created allied line americans began attack morning coincidentally exact time germans general der lieutenant general equivalent scheduled attack difficulty meeting objectives reasons related strength germans division fought snow deepening cold january new 17th relieved 11th armored division corps stretched crude mile line west continuing hold city weeks corps moved steadily north heavy desperate fighting january met units army pushing south following days combined force pushed germans eastward river returning allied line original position december battle began eliminating created allied line december push germany victory restored previous boundary bradley summoned army corps commanders headquarters wanted advance rhine army stay army reached river reluctant hold place questioned bradley explained available ammunition reinforcements army armies simultaneously supplied reluctantly accepted bradley explanation meeting called corps commanders asked ease forward capture walker commanders agreed days reached objectives asked corps way reached river units army arrived took divisions away operation river leaving corps units artillery single division infantry asked laugh army commander pressed let try commander approval able city defenders german troops rhine wanting trapped rhine rivers captured mid march assigned mile upstream southeast famous landmark gave river crossing chose cross river near river narrow swift flanked steep terrain laugh knew little german resistance able entire night bridge place early morning initially attempted cross met resistance compelling upstream closer crossing went smoothly days divisions rhine late march advanced eastward came concentration camp discovering evidence called come look joined diary described place sights seen nazi concentration camp discovered united_states_army marshall delegation congress witness communicate took place later officials town come witness going midst denied knowing happening mayor wife committed suicide night continued eastward advance month april ordered stop border corps contact russians immediate problem dealing prisoners war americans overwhelmed number germans wanting surrender despite orders prisoners thousands germans filtered lines night desperately trying avoid capture russians week april russian cavalry unit contact leaders americans russians exchanged russians extremely reluctant allow americans russian line american lunch guests taken route russian held territory april wrote recommendation citing outstanding tactical skill determination magnificent resistance attack energy war europe disposition units decided higher command remain occupation forces europe return united_states sent pacific theater fight japanese germans formally surrendered american sector days later issued general order number soldiers army past present accomplishments wrote letter bradley requesting released active duty combat services longer needed asked return august paid bradley writing men accomplished war available guide future army feel future safe hands commander combat away home days departing january logged days combat time american general officer world war near end groups general officers officers enlisted men sent major cities united_states appear group headed went atlanta son reunited wife daughter son lieutenant europe treated reception held mayor atlanta family flew took days leave went meet general marshall marshall told return germany corps wait home unit returned states opting marshall told japan atomic bomb dropped hiroshima went washington time marshall told doubted units sent pacific asked wanted stay army reply retired intended returned retired status longer needed combat commander return late august returned reported president requesting old job europe busy getting troops returned states end pipeline getting things ready thousands soldiers going school swollen new students priorities housing new students married keen insights military able find variety types excess housing units military longer needed able provide students faculty adequate housing small cost military advisory roles retired military soon called serve variety advisory capacities april appointed set investigate officer enlisted men relationships headed general board number recommendations significant ones allow non commissioned officers establish clubs recommendation supported years later asked serve look military naval proposed working months recommendations stressed liberal education recommended accepted asked speak military groups occasion commissioning exercises fort late called come review curriculum offered cadets called related work spring got general army chief staff asking assignment behalf army compelled yes allegations wholesale honor code violations west_point serve committee oversee proceedings recommendations personally painful committee recommendation dismiss cadets cheating including members football team headline new_orleans newspaper summarized event army football team severely illegal passing drastic undertaking committee recommended tests given different groups different days practice offered cadets big cheat pleasant assignment selected task reputation attended west_point asked serve academy position held year term university presidency president resigned position february ill health search went new president asked considered job declined content job following search brought thought good qualities work working board members found annoying respected faculty continued run ins board members december differences board resulted resignation asked board hold special meeting december act resignation following meeting members board came office told board elected president university board desire accept pressed quick decision feeling confident fulfill job accepted position backlash resignation students members community criticized board resignation effective february day began role university president years president marked tremendous growth resulting battles funding priorities major projects considered new library enclosure football stadium new auditorium addition medical school new_orleans priorities library head list stadium hand gave priority stadium february voted accept bid project stadium expansion approved agreed priority new library september year state legislature given funds asked previous request higher staff salaries including million dollars new library built hill memorial library central campus projections indicated student enrollment nearly double years response university entered ambitious building program date university president constantly involved personnel decisions making national news ordeal occurred february decided time head football coach relieved following break record seven years successor year old assistant coach rough beginning losing seasons calls removal supported fourth season coach undefeated season won sugar bowl declared national champions issue facing southern schools like white favor segregation university president responsibility uphold laws state nation intention april wrote report entitled segregation outlined history enrollment blacks showed resistant university undertaking avid declared federal laws fulfilled practical minds extreme expense having create duplicate facilities area advanced education process integration begun slow pace accelerated reached university mandatory retirement age adopted resolution age requirement allow stay president end school year declared essential university reluctantly agreed stay additional year long year february officially retired weeks earlier 11th january declared day louisiana governor classes suspended honor guard formed secretary came address given honorary degree doctor laws retirement death little years old retired president emeritus maintained office campus building went office wednesday morning staff secretary handled large number letters response mail years retirement governor came office hoping accept job commission forming governor wanting ease state growing racial tensions creating commission composed blacks whites governor needed chairman command tremendous respect choice said year beginning happened past year stretched wasn commission reached goals disbanded freed duty black counterpart commission president new_orleans directors chosen head staff responsibilities white attorney black attorney potential trouble spots commission able positive effect included towns commission helped open ranks qualified blacks commission disbanded having effectively served purpose members received letter thanks governor january authorized agreed serve time refused pressure governor chairman years felt council justified merging redundant facilities projects money served role years old served number capacities continued hunt fish enjoying growing family died october days birthday wife died march aged interred sharing tall granite marker non standard markers cemetery legacy year retirement declared alumnus year joining company earlier designate september awarded bronze plaque honoring year accomplishments racial peace keeping responsibilities march dedicated housed foot room university library collection included pictures letters awards plaques uniform riding boots numerous artifacts documents room maintained space given priorities items moved university archives old hill memorial library campus november officially named library library years building dedicated street named honor general air_force building named honor interviewed biographer united_states president student instructor moral courage common sense took advantage experiences know like saying attributed napoleon genius war man sensible thing average thing everybody crazy impressed complete command situation think best intelligent dedicated loyal acted according old job seriously war gone certainly led army bringing people dates rank ancestry houston
Troy H. Middleton