Charles B. MacDonald
Encyclopedia
This article refers to Charles B. MacDonald, military historian. For the U.S. golfer, refer to Charles B. Macdonald
.
Charles B. MacDonald (December 4, 1922–November 23, 1990) was a former Deputy Chief Historian for the United States Army
. He wrote several of the Army's official histories of World War II.
, MacDonald was commissioned as a US Army officer through ROTC
and deployed to Europe. By September 1944, as a 21 year old captain, he commanded a rifle company in the 23rd Infantry Regiment
. His company was intended to be part of the effort to capture the Huertgen Forest. They had been transferred north from the area which was, soon after, overrun by the Germans in the first moves of the Battle of the Bulge
. In the event, they were redeployed to defend a crossroads against the German advance. They were forced to retreat but the enemy had been delayed for long enough to allow the rest of MacDonald's division to deploy. He received the Silver Star
for the action.
MacDonald was wounded a month later, on January 17, 1945, while leading his company in a counterattack. After two months' convalescence, he was given command of another company in his old regiment, which he led until the end of the war. He also received the Purple Heart
.
His first book, Company Commander, was published in 1947, while his wartime experiences were fresh in his mind.
After his retirement, MacDonald wrote A Time for Trumpets, his last book, a personal history of the Ardennes Offensive which concentrates on the first two weeks of the battle, which he spent five years researching. MacDonald also wrote or co-wrote two other books of the Green Series, The Siegfried Line Campaign and Three Battles: Arnaville, Altuzzo, and Schmidt. He also contributed to Command Decisions.
MacDonald suffered from cancer and lung disease and he died on December 4, 1990 at his home in Arlington, Virginia.
Charles B. Macdonald
Charles Blair Macdonald was a major figure in early American golf. He built the first 18-hole course in the United States, was a driving force in the founding of the United States Golf Association, won the first U.S...
.
Charles B. MacDonald (December 4, 1922–November 23, 1990) was a former Deputy Chief Historian for the United States Army
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...
. He wrote several of the Army's official histories of World War II.
War service
After graduating from Presbyterian CollegePresbyterian College
Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, USA. Presbyterian College, or PC, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. PC was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a prominent Presbyterian minister who also founded the nearby Thornwell Home and...
, MacDonald was commissioned as a US Army officer through ROTC
Reserve Officers' Training Corps
The Reserve Officers' Training Corps is a college-based, officer commissioning program, predominantly in the United States. It is designed as a college elective that focuses on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.The U.S...
and deployed to Europe. By September 1944, as a 21 year old captain, he commanded a rifle company in the 23rd Infantry Regiment
23rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 23rd Infantry Regiment is an infantry regiment in the United States Army originally formed on June 26th 1812. The 23rd saw action in 14 battles during the War of 1812...
. His company was intended to be part of the effort to capture the Huertgen Forest. They had been transferred north from the area which was, soon after, overrun by the Germans in the first moves of the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
. In the event, they were redeployed to defend a crossroads against the German advance. They were forced to retreat but the enemy had been delayed for long enough to allow the rest of MacDonald's division to deploy. He received 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....
for the action.
MacDonald was wounded a month later, on January 17, 1945, while leading his company in a counterattack. After two months' convalescence, he was given command of another company in his old regiment, which he led until the end of the war. He also received the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
.
His first book, Company Commander, was published in 1947, while his wartime experiences were fresh in his mind.
Historian
MacDonald wrote the final volume of the Green Series on the European Theatre, The Last Offensive. He retired as Deputy Chief Historian, United States Army Center of Military History in 1979.After his retirement, MacDonald wrote A Time for Trumpets, his last book, a personal history of the Ardennes Offensive which concentrates on the first two weeks of the battle, which he spent five years researching. MacDonald also wrote or co-wrote two other books of the Green Series, The Siegfried Line Campaign and Three Battles: Arnaville, Altuzzo, and Schmidt. He also contributed to Command Decisions.
MacDonald suffered from cancer and lung disease and he died on December 4, 1990 at his home in Arlington, Virginia.