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Edward Almond
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Edward Mallory 'Ned' Almond (December 12, 1892–June 11, 1979) was a controversial United States Army general best known as the commander of the Army's X Corps during the Korean War.
in Luray, Virginia, Almond graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1915 and became an infantry officer in 1916, serving in France with the 4th Division during the final months of World War I. He graduated from the Command & General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1930.
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Encyclopedia
Edward Mallory 'Ned' Almond (December 12, 1892–June 11, 1979) was a controversial United States Army general best known as the commander of the Army's X Corps during the Korean War.
Early Biography
Born in Luray, Virginia, Almond graduated from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1915 and became an infantry officer in 1916, serving in France with the 4th Division during the final months of World War I. He graduated from the Command & General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1930. After a tour of duty in Philippines he attended the Army War College in 1934. From 1934 to 1938 he was attached to intelligence Division of the General Staff. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in September 1938, he completed the course at US Navy War College in 1940 and in January 1941 was assigned staff duty at VI Corps HQ, Providence, Rhode Island. Promoted to the temporary ranks of Colonel October 1941, Brigadier General March 1942, when was named assistant commander of the 93rd Infantry Division located in Arizona.
World War II and Post War
Almond was for a time highly regarded by George Marshall, also a VMI graduate, who was Army Chief of Staff during World War II. This was a major part of Almond's promotion to Major General and subsequent command of the 92nd Infantry Division, made of almost exclusively African-American soldiers, a position he held from its formation in October 1942 until August 1945. He led the division in combat in the Italian campaign of 1944-1945. Chosen by George Marshall for this assignment because Marshall believed Almond would excel at this difficult assignment, Almond performed poorly and went on to blame his poor performance on the fact that the division was made up of largely African-American troops as the source of his failure, and went on to advise the Army against ever again using African-Americans as combat troops.
In 1946 Almond was transferred to Tokyo and became Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Forces Far East under Douglas MacArthur, who took a personal liking to Almond.
Korean War and X Corps
In 1950, MacArthur split X Corps from the 8th Army then placed Almond, who had no experience with amphibious operations, in command of the main landing force just prior the amphibious invasions of Inchon and Wonsan. During this invasion Almond failed to capture most of the opposing North Korean army as they retreated from the 38th parallel to defensive positions above Seoul. During this time, Almond had many conflicts with Major General O. P. Smith (who was senior to him), commander of the 1st Marine Division, which was part of X Corps from October until December 1950. Likewise Almond had a poor relationship with his army superior Walton Walker. Almond has been criticized by historians for the wide dispersal of his units during the X Corps invasion of the north-eastern part of North Korea, in November-December 1950. This dispersal contributed to the defeat of X Corps by the Chinese, including the destruction of Task Force Faith, and the narrow escape of the Marines at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Despite his controversial reputation, Almond was retained as X Corps commander by Lieutenant General Matthew Ridgway when he took command of Eighth Army in December. Although he was regarded by Ridgway as his only aggressive corps commander and took part in the defeat of the Chinese offensives during February and March 1951, as well as the Eighth Army's counter-offensive, Operation Killer, his command was immediately severely reduced by Ridgway. Almond was promoted to Lieutenant General during this time.
Post Korea
In July 1951, Almond became head of the Army War College. He retired in 1953 and worked in insurance until his death in 1979.
Almond's decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.
He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
See also
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