Emil F. Reinhardt
Encyclopedia
Emil F. Reinhardt U.S. Army officer, was born in Michigan
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point, New York
in 1910 and held a number of command and staff positions in the army, eventually rising to the rank of Major General (United States)
. In September 1944 he was appointed commander of the 69th Infantry Division (United States) at Camp Shelby
, Mississippi. The division was sent to Europe in December 1944 and entered combat in January 1945 when it relieved the 99th Division in Belgium
. The division attacked rapidly eastward. It crossed the Rhine River on March 27, 1945, and captured the city of Leipzig
in mid-April. On April 25, 1945, elements of the Division reached the Elbe
River and became the first American unit to contact the Russian army. After the end of the war the division was placed on occupation duty in Germany. Reinhardt returned to the United States in August 1945 and retired from the army in 1946. He died at Fort Sam Houston
, Texas, in 1969.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. He graduated from 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...
at West Point, New York
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
in 1910 and held a number of command and staff positions in the army, eventually rising to the rank of Major General (United States)
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
. In September 1944 he was appointed commander of the 69th Infantry Division (United States) at Camp Shelby
Camp Shelby
Camp Shelby is a military post whose North Gate begins at the southern boundary of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on United States Highway 49. It is the largest state owned training site in the nation. During wartime, the camp's mission is to serve as a major, independent mobilization station of the...
, Mississippi. The division was sent to Europe in December 1944 and entered combat in January 1945 when it relieved the 99th Division in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. The division attacked rapidly eastward. It crossed the Rhine River on March 27, 1945, and captured the city of Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
in mid-April. On April 25, 1945, elements of the Division reached the Elbe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
River and became the first American unit to contact the Russian army. After the end of the war the division was placed on occupation duty in Germany. Reinhardt returned to the United States in August 1945 and retired from the army in 1946. He died at Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
, Texas, in 1969.
External links
- http://www.eisenhower.archives.gov/Research/Finding_Aids/R.html Papers of Emil F. Reinhardt, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
- http://content.sos.state.ga.us/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/adhoc&CISOPTR=151&CISOBOX=1&REC=6 Photograph of Major General Emil F. Reinhardt giving blood, Georgia State Archives. Retrieved 02-06-09.