Fox Conner
Encyclopedia
Fox Conner was a major general of the United States Army
. He served as operations officer for the American Expeditionary Force
during World War I
, but is best remembered as "the man who made Eisenhower".
, in Calhoun County
, Mississippi
. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy
in 1894, and served with the Cuban occupation force after graduation. He developed a reputation as a rising star in the Army, serving in the Army General Staff, as an instructor in the War College, and in several other positions in which he influenced the future direction of the Army.
, Conner was tapped by General John J. Pershing
to be the chief of operations (G3) for the American Expeditionary Force
in France
with Colonel John McAuley Palmer
under his immediate supervision. Another one of his subordinates was then-Lieutenant Colonel George C. Marshall, for whom Conner developed an immense respect, later recommending Marshall as the ideal soldier and a military genius. For his service as the "brain" of the AEF, Conner was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
and the Croix de Guerre
. After the war, Conner wrote the after-action report that influenced the 1920 National Defense Act that set the course of the interwar Army.
, he invited Eisenhower to join his staff. For three years, Conner instituted a systematic course of study for Eisenhower that ranged from extensive readings in military history to daily practical experience writing field orders for every aspect of the command. Finally, Conner pulled strings to get his protege admitted to the Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
, where Eisenhower graduated first in his class thanks in no small part to his comprehensive Panamanian tutelage.
Of particular importance to Eisenhower's later career, Conner emphasized the importance of coalition command in preparation for the inevitable war. Said Eisenhower,
as deputy chief of staff. He was Pershing's candidate for Chief of Staff
in 1930, but was passed over in favor of Douglas MacArthur
. He retired as commander of First Area Corps and First United States Army on November 4, 1938 after forty-four years of service.
Conner's greatest disappointment was that he never had the opportunity to lead troops in wartime. Like Marshall, Conner was considered too valuable a staff officer to be released into the field. Nevertheless, he served as role model and inspiration to future World War II
high commanders like Marshall, Eisenhower, and George S. Patton
. Eisenhower considered Conner to be the greatest soldier he ever knew, saying: "In sheer ability and character, he was the outstanding soldier of my time."
Perry, M. 2007. Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace. The Penguin Press. ISBN 978-1-59420-105-9
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 served as operations officer for the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, but is best remembered as "the man who made Eisenhower".
Early career
Conner was born at Slate SpringsSlate Springs, Mississippi
Slate Springs is a village in Calhoun County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 121 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Slate Springs is located at ....
, in Calhoun County
Calhoun County, Mississippi
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Mississippi. As of 2010, the population was 14,962. Its county seat is Pittsboro. Calhoun County is named after John C. Calhoun, the U.S. Vice President and U.S...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. He was appointed to 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 1894, and served with the Cuban occupation force after graduation. He developed a reputation as a rising star in the Army, serving in the Army General Staff, as an instructor in the War College, and in several other positions in which he influenced the future direction of the Army.
World War One
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Conner was tapped by General John J. Pershing
John J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
to be the chief of operations (G3) for the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
in 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...
with Colonel John McAuley Palmer
John McAuley Palmer (1870-1955)
John McAuley Palmer was a soldier and administrator in the United States Army.-Biography:Born in Carlinville, Illinois, he was the grandson and namesake of John McAuley Palmer, a famous American Civil War general and Governor of Illinois...
under his immediate supervision. Another one of his subordinates was then-Lieutenant Colonel George C. Marshall, for whom Conner developed an immense respect, later recommending Marshall as the ideal soldier and a military genius. For his service as the "brain" of the AEF, Conner 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...
and the Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
. After the war, Conner wrote the after-action report that influenced the 1920 National Defense Act that set the course of the interwar Army.
Conner and Eisenhower
Conner's most lasting contribution was his mentorship of a young Army officer named Dwight Eisenhower. Conner first met Eisenhower in 1919 at the Infantry Tank School at Camp Meade and the two men immediately developed a great mutual respect. When Conner took command of the 20th Infantry Brigade in PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, he invited Eisenhower to join his staff. For three years, Conner instituted a systematic course of study for Eisenhower that ranged from extensive readings in military history to daily practical experience writing field orders for every aspect of the command. Finally, Conner pulled strings to get his protege admitted to the Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is a United States Army facility located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, immediately north of the city of Leavenworth in the upper northeast portion of the state. It is the oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C. and has been in operation for over 180 years...
, where Eisenhower graduated first in his class thanks in no small part to his comprehensive Panamanian tutelage.
Of particular importance to Eisenhower's later career, Conner emphasized the importance of coalition command in preparation for the inevitable war. Said Eisenhower,
One of the subjects on which [Conner] talked to me most was allied command, its difficulties and its problems. Another was George C. Marshall. Again and again General Conner said to me, 'We cannot escape another great war. When we go into that war it will be in company with allies...We must insist on individual and single responsibility—leaders will have to learn how to overcome nationalistic considerations in the conduct of campaigns. One man who can do it is Marshall—he is close to being a genius.'
Later service
Conner was promoted to major general in 1925 and assigned to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
as deputy chief of staff. He was Pershing's candidate for Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff of the United States Army
The Chief of Staff of the Army is a statutory office held by a four-star general in the United States Army, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, and as such is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the Secretary of the Army; and is in...
in 1930, but was passed over in favor of Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
. He retired as commander of First Area Corps and First United States Army on November 4, 1938 after forty-four years of service.
Conner's greatest disappointment was that he never had the opportunity to lead troops in wartime. Like Marshall, Conner was considered too valuable a staff officer to be released into the field. Nevertheless, he served as role model and inspiration to future 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...
high commanders like Marshall, Eisenhower, and George S. Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
. Eisenhower considered Conner to be the greatest soldier he ever knew, saying: "In sheer ability and character, he was the outstanding soldier of my time."
The Three Axiom of Warfare
Conner had three principles or rules of war for a democracy that he imparted to Eisenhower and Marshall. They were:- Never fight unless you have to;
- Never fight alone; and
- Never fight for long.
See also
Other sources
- Nineteen Stars; by Edgar F. Puryear, Jr. ISBN 0-89141-148-8 (paperback)
- The Next Middle East War; by Robert Gates, U.S. Secretary of Defense http://www.thecuttingedgenews.com/index.php?article=452&pageid=37&pagename=Page+One
- Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship; by Edward Cox ISBN 1-58107-203-1 (paperback)
Additional reading
Cox, E. 2010. Grey Eminence: Fox Conner and the Art of Mentorship. New Forums Press. ISBN 978-1-581072-03-XPerry, M. 2007. Partners in Command: George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower in War and Peace. The Penguin Press. ISBN 978-1-59420-105-9