Charles L. Bolte
Encyclopedia
General Charles Lawrence Bolte (May 8, 1895 – February 11, 1989) was a U.S. Army general and World War I and World War II veteran.
with a degree in chemical engineering. He began his military career in 1916 when he earned a commission in the Army as a second lieutenant. Two years later, he shipped off for France and saw combat in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel
and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
as a member of the 58th Infantry, 4th Division.
Bolte returned to the United States as a captain in 1919, completed the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning
in 1930, and graduated in 1932 from the Command and General Staff School. Bolte completed his education at the Army War College and remained there as an instructor until 1940.
In 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Bolte journeyed to London as head of a group of Army observers and, early in 1942, assumed the position of Chief of Staff of U.S. Forces in the United Kingdom. As a major general, he commanded the 69th Division in 1943 and then, in July 1944, took over the 34th Infantry Division in Italy, guiding it through successful actions, including the drive through the Apennine Mountains and the capture of Bologna. Bolte earned two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star
, the Legion of Merit
and the Purple Heart
for his exploits.
Bolte served in Washington after the war and in 1953, as a lieutenant general, became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, Europe. Later that year, General Bolte returned home to serve as Army Vice Chief of Staff under General Matthew B. Ridgway. Bolte retired from active service in 1955.
He then became Chairman of the Board of Advanced Growth Capital Corporation, retiring from this in the 1960s. He was also active in charitable work, and served as President of the Army & Navy Club. He died February 11, 1989 at Mount Vernon Hospital, Virginia, after a stroke, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
.
Military career
Bolte graduated from what is today the Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, commonly called Illinois Tech or IIT, is a private Ph.D.-granting university located in Chicago, Illinois, with programs in engineering, science, psychology, architecture, business, communications, industrial technology, information technology, design, and law...
with a degree in chemical engineering. He began his military career in 1916 when he earned a commission in the Army as a second lieutenant. Two years later, he shipped off for France and saw combat in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Battle of Saint-Mihiel
The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12–15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions...
and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, or Maas-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front.-Overview:...
as a member of the 58th Infantry, 4th Division.
Bolte returned to the United States as a captain in 1919, completed the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
in 1930, and graduated in 1932 from the Command and General Staff School. Bolte completed his education at the Army War College and remained there as an instructor until 1940.
In 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Bolte journeyed to London as head of a group of Army observers and, early in 1942, assumed the position of Chief of Staff of U.S. Forces in the United Kingdom. As a major general, he commanded the 69th Division in 1943 and then, in July 1944, took over the 34th Infantry Division in Italy, guiding it through successful actions, including the drive through the Apennine Mountains and the capture of Bologna. Bolte earned two Distinguished Service Medals, 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....
, 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...
and 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...
for his exploits.
Bolte served in Washington after the war and in 1953, as a lieutenant general, became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, Europe. Later that year, General Bolte returned home to serve as Army Vice Chief of Staff under General Matthew B. Ridgway. Bolte retired from active service in 1955.
Post military
Following retirement, he worked as special assistant to the chairman of the board of American Car & Foundry Industries from 1955 to 1958.He then became Chairman of the Board of Advanced Growth Capital Corporation, retiring from this in the 1960s. He was also active in charitable work, and served as President of the Army & Navy Club. He died February 11, 1989 at Mount Vernon Hospital, Virginia, after a stroke, and 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...
.