Alfred Gruenther
Encyclopedia
Alfred Maximilian Gruenther (March 3, 1899-May 30, 1983) was the youngest World War II Major General and after the war, as a four-star General, served as the Supreme Allied Commander (SACEUR) in Europe from 1953 to 1956.
, Nebraska
. He attended St. Thomas Academy
in Saint Paul, Minnesota
. He graduated fourth in his class at the United States Military Academy
in 1918. He was the youngest four-star general
in U.S.
history, advisor and planner to top generals in World War II
. He served as chief of staff of the Third Army, Fifth Army, Fifteenth Army Group, and was principal American planner of the allied invasions of North Africa in 1942 and Italy in 1943.
After World War II, he became deputy commander of U.S. forces in Austria in 1945, and was appointed supreme allied commander in Europe/commander-in-chief of the U.S. European Command in 1953, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1956. He appeared on the cover of Time, February 6, 1956. General Gruenther retired from military service in 1956.
After retiring from the Army, he served as president of American Red Cross
from 1957 to 1964 and was a member of the Draper Committee
, even appearing as a guest on February 10, 1957's successful TV quiz show What's My Line. Gruenther received a Litt.D. from Bates College
in 1958.
Gruenther was the recipient of many nations' medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal
with three oak leaf clustershttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,808911,00.html and honorary degrees from American universities.
Biography
Gruenther was born in Platte CenterPlatte Center, Nebraska
Platte Center is a village in Platte County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 359 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Platte Center is located at ....
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He attended St. Thomas Academy
Saint Thomas Academy
Saint Thomas Academy , originally known as Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary, and formerly known as Saint Thomas Military Academy is the only all male, Roman Catholic, college-preparatory, military high school in Minnesota. It is located in Mendota Heights near Saint Paul...
in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. He graduated fourth in his class at the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1918. He was the youngest four-star general
General (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, general is a four-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-10. General ranks above lieutenant general and below General of the Army or General of the Air Force; the Marine Corps does not have an...
in U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
history, advisor and planner to top generals in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served as chief of staff of the Third Army, Fifth Army, Fifteenth Army Group, and was principal American planner of the allied invasions of North Africa in 1942 and Italy in 1943.
After World War II, he became deputy commander of U.S. forces in Austria in 1945, and was appointed supreme allied commander in Europe/commander-in-chief of the U.S. European Command in 1953, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1956. He appeared on the cover of Time, February 6, 1956. General Gruenther retired from military service in 1956.
After retiring from the Army, he served as president of American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
from 1957 to 1964 and was a member of the Draper Committee
Draper Committee
The Presidents Committee to Study the United States Military Assistance Program was a bipartisan committee, created in November 1958 by U.S. President Eisenhower to undertake a completely independent, objective, and non-partisan analysis of the military assistance aspects of the U.S...
, even appearing as a guest on February 10, 1957's successful TV quiz show What's My Line. Gruenther received a Litt.D. from Bates College
Bates College
Bates College is a highly selective, private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine, in the United States. and was most recently ranked 21st in the nation in the 2011 US News Best Liberal Arts Colleges rankings. The college was founded in 1855 by abolitionists...
in 1958.
Gruenther was the recipient of many nations' medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
with three oak leaf clustershttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,808911,00.html and honorary degrees from American universities.
Further reading
- "Men, Missiles and Misunderstandings", address by Alfred Gruenther, Red Cross president, to the Empire Club of Canada, 25 Feb 1960.