Andrew P. O'Meara
Encyclopedia
Andrew Pick O'Meara was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commander-in-Chief, United States Southern Command
(USCINCSO) from 1961 to 1965; and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) from 1965 to 1967.
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1930 and was commissioned in the field artillery. He began his career in the horse artillery
with the 4th Field Artillery
from 1931 to 1934. Other early assignments included teaching physics at West Point and various staff assignments. He married the former Ellen Fraser (1906–1995) in 1933.
O'Meara served as a battery commander in the 4th Armored Division in 1941, and in 1942 took command of the 94th Field Artillery Battalion. By the end of World War II he was the Assistant Artillery Commander of VII Corps. Following the war, he attended the Command and General Staff College
in 1946, and the National War College
from 1951 to 1952.
During the Korean War he was the artillery commander for the 7th Infantry Division, and later the artillery commander for IX Corps. Promoted to Brigadier General in 1952, he earned the Silver Star
in 1953 for reconnaissance near Kumhwa.
He spent the years after Korea working in research and development for the army, first with the Research & Development Division of the Army General Staff, then as Deputy Chief of Research & Development for the U.S.Army from 1955 to 1957. He then took command of the 4th Armored Division in 1957. From 1959 to 1961, he was assigned to France as director of military assistance for the United States European Command followed by command of the United States Southern Command and U.S. Army Europe.
O'Meara was an avid squash
player, and during his tenure at both SOUTHCOM and U.S. Army Europe ordered the installation of squash courts at bases under his command.
, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star
, and the Air Medal
.
. He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, and survived by a son and a daughter, 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commander-in-Chief, United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
(USCINCSO) from 1961 to 1965; and Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) from 1965 to 1967.
Military career
O'Meara was born on March 23, 1907 in West Bend, WisconsinWest Bend, Wisconsin
West Bend is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Wisconsin, United States in southeastern Wisconsin. The population was estimated to be 29,894 in 2008...
. 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...
in 1930 and was commissioned in the field artillery. He began his career in the horse artillery
Horse artillery
Horse artillery was a type of light, fast-moving and fast-firing artillery which provided highly mobile fire support to European and American armies from the 17th to the early 20th century...
with the 4th Field Artillery
4th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)
The 4th Field Artillery Regiment is an Field Artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1907.-History:The 4th Field Artillery Regiment was first activated in 1907 from numbered companies of artillery...
from 1931 to 1934. Other early assignments included teaching physics at West Point and various staff assignments. He married the former Ellen Fraser (1906–1995) in 1933.
O'Meara served as a battery commander in the 4th Armored Division in 1941, and in 1942 took command of the 94th Field Artillery Battalion. By the end of World War II he was the Assistant Artillery Commander of VII Corps. Following the war, he attended the Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
in 1946, and the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
from 1951 to 1952.
During the Korean War he was the artillery commander for the 7th Infantry Division, and later the artillery commander for IX Corps. Promoted to Brigadier General in 1952, he earned the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
in 1953 for reconnaissance near Kumhwa.
He spent the years after Korea working in research and development for the army, first with the Research & Development Division of the Army General Staff, then as Deputy Chief of Research & Development for the U.S.Army from 1955 to 1957. He then took command of the 4th Armored Division in 1957. From 1959 to 1961, he was assigned to France as director of military assistance for the United States European Command followed by command of the United States Southern Command and U.S. Army Europe.
O'Meara was an avid squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
player, and during his tenure at both SOUTHCOM and U.S. Army Europe ordered the installation of squash courts at bases under his command.
Decorations
O'Meara's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
.
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Post-military
O'Meara retired from the Army in 1967, settling in the Washington, D.C. area. He died on September 30, 2005 of a stroke at the age of 98 in Arlington, Virginia and was buried in Arlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. He was preceded in death by his wife and a daughter, and survived by a son and a daughter, 13 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.