Charles Bonesteel
Encyclopedia
General Charles Hartwell Bonesteel III (September 26, 1909 – October 13, 1977) was an American military commander, the son and grandson of American military officers.
He was an Eagle Scout
(1925). As an adult, he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
by the Boy Scouts of America
. Bonesteel was a Rhodes Scholar
at the University of Oxford
. In the Army, Bonesteel was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
twice and the Legion of Merit
twice.
A 1931 graduate of the United States Military Academy
, Bonesteel received the lifelong nickname of "Tick." He served in the United States and Europe during World War II
in a number of senior staff assignments. With the surrender of Japan imminent, Bonesteel, General George A Lincoln and Colonel Dean Rusk
of the Strategy Policy Committee at the Pentagon were tasked with drawing up General Order No. 1 to define the areas of responsibility for US, Soviet and Chinese forces. On August 10, 1945 with Soviet forces already moving through Manchuria into northern Korea, Bonesteel proposed the 38th parallel
as the Division of Korea
. The draft General Order was cabled to the Soviets on 15 August and accepted by them the following day.
In the postwar era, Bonesteel served as a special assistant to the Secretary of State. In November 1958, in an official capacity, he visited the city of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).
He also served as commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division (1961–1962), and commanding general of the VII Corps (1962–1963).
Also post World War II, he is chiefly known as the Commander of United States Forces Korea
(and Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command Korea; Commanding General, Eighth Army) from 1966-1969. During this period he defended against North Korean infiltration during the Korean DMZ Conflict (1966-1969) and dealt with the tensions arising from the Pueblo Incident.
He retired from the Army in 1969. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
near his father, Major General Charles Hartwell Bonesteel, Jr., and grandfather.
He was an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
(1925). As an adult, he was awarded the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America . It is awarded to an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout...
by the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. Bonesteel was a Rhodes Scholar
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. In the Army, Bonesteel was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
twice and 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...
twice.
A 1931 graduate of 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...
, Bonesteel received the lifelong nickname of "Tick." He served in the United States and Europe during 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...
in a number of senior staff assignments. With the surrender of Japan imminent, Bonesteel, General George A Lincoln and Colonel Dean Rusk
Dean Rusk
David Dean Rusk was the United States Secretary of State from 1961 to 1969 under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Rusk is the second-longest serving U.S...
of the Strategy Policy Committee at the Pentagon were tasked with drawing up General Order No. 1 to define the areas of responsibility for US, Soviet and Chinese forces. On August 10, 1945 with Soviet forces already moving through Manchuria into northern Korea, Bonesteel proposed the 38th parallel
38th parallel north
The 38th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean...
as the Division of Korea
Division of Korea
The division of Korea into North Korea and South Korea stems from the 1945 Allied victory in World War II, ending Japan's 35-year colonial rule of Korea. In a proposal opposed by nearly all Koreans, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to temporarily occupy the country as a trusteeship...
. The draft General Order was cabled to the Soviets on 15 August and accepted by them the following day.
In the postwar era, Bonesteel served as a special assistant to the Secretary of State. In November 1958, in an official capacity, he visited the city of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam).
He also served as commanding general of the 24th Infantry Division (1961–1962), and commanding general of the VII Corps (1962–1963).
Also post World War II, he is chiefly known as the Commander of United States Forces Korea
United States Forces Korea
United States Forces Korea refers to the ground, air and naval divisions of the United States armed forces stationed in South Korea....
(and Commander-in-Chief, United Nations Command Korea; Commanding General, Eighth Army) from 1966-1969. During this period he defended against North Korean infiltration during the Korean DMZ Conflict (1966-1969) and dealt with the tensions arising from the Pueblo Incident.
He retired from the Army in 1969. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington 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...
near his father, Major General Charles Hartwell Bonesteel, Jr., and grandfather.