Charles D. Palmer
Encyclopedia
Charles Day Palmer was a United States Army
four star general who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
(DCINCEUR) from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B. Palmer
, was also a four star general, and his grandfather, William Edward Birkhimer, was a general and Medal of Honor
recipient.
in Washington, D.C., he entered the United States Military Academy
, graduating in 1924.
As the United States entered World War II, then-Major
Palmer was in the British West Indies
woking to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare
projects. Palmer went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division, and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô
, and crossing the Siegfreid Line.
During the invasion of southern
France
in October 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general
.
Palmer was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted. He was the commander of the division artillery commander and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns.
His later posts included Commander, Sixth United States Army in California
and Deputy Commander of U.S. forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962.
Palmer's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star
with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Bronze Star
, and the Air Medal
.
and the Retired Officers Association, and a member of the Army and Navy Club.
Palmer died in Washington D.C. on June 7, 1999 at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community. He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, next to his brother and mother.
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 Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
(DCINCEUR) from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B. Palmer
Williston B. Palmer
Williston Birkhimer Palmer was a United States Army four star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1955 to 1957; Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1957 to 1959; and was the first Director of Military Assistance, 1959 to 1962. His...
, was also a four star general, and his grandfather, William Edward Birkhimer, was a general and Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient.
Military career
Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 20, 1902. After graduating from Washington High SchoolWashington High School
Washington High School may refer to:*George Washington High School , in San Francisco, California*Washington High School , in Phoenix, Arizona*Washington High School in Fremont, California...
in Washington, D.C., he entered 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...
, graduating in 1924.
As the United States entered World War II, then-Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Palmer was in the British West Indies
British West Indies
The British West Indies was a term used to describe the islands in and around the Caribbean that were part of the British Empire The term was sometimes used to include British Honduras and British Guiana, even though these territories are not geographically part of the Caribbean...
woking to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
projects. Palmer went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division, and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
, and crossing the Siegfreid Line.
During the invasion of southern
Southern France
Southern France , colloquially known as le Midi is defined geographical area consisting of the regions of France that border the Atlantic Ocean south of the Gironde, Spain, the Mediterranean, and Italy...
France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in October 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
.
Palmer was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted. He was the commander of the division artillery commander and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns.
His later posts included Commander, Sixth United States Army in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Deputy Commander of U.S. forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962.
Palmer's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, 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....
with oak leaf cluster, 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 Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, 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 MedalDistinguished 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...
with two oak leaf clusters
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....
with one oak leaf cluster
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...
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
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 career
After retiring from the Army, Palmer settled in Washington and worked as a military consultant with the Research Analysis Corporation. He was also a director of both St. Albans SchoolSt. Albans School (Washington, D.C.)
St. Albans School is an independent college preparatory school for boys in grades 4–12, located in Washington, D.C. The school is named after Saint Alban, traditionally regarded as the first British martyr. Within the St...
and the Retired Officers Association, and a member of the Army and Navy Club.
Palmer died in Washington D.C. on June 7, 1999 at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community. He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was 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...
, next to his brother and mother.