James K. Woolnough
Encyclopedia
James Karrick Woolnough (October 24, 1910 – May 30, 1996) was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe
, Virginia. In this capacity he was responsible for the command and control of all active and reserve forces in the Six Armies of the Continental United States from 1967 to 1970.
, Philippine Islands of Colonel and Mrs. James B. Woolnough, Woolnough attended the United States Military Academy
at West Point, graduating in 1932. Further training included the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and the National War College
at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. Additionally he was both a math instructor and a Regimental Commander at West Point.
During his 38 years of active duty, Woolnough held a variety of staff and command positions worldwide. Shortly after the D-Day Normandy Beach landing, June 1944, he became executive officer of the 16th Infantry
, 1st Infantry Division. In February 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge
, he assumed command of the 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, which later provided the vanguard forces to prevent the German destruction of the Remagen Bridge, thus making it possible for the U.S. forces to cross the Rhine.
In September 1950 he was sent to Korea, given a map, and instructed to head north to find the 1st Cavalry Division, which he did and for a time commanded the 7th Cavalry Regiment, the Garry Owen. Eleven years later, as a Major General, he returned to Korea as the 1st Cavalry Division Commanding Officer.
In the Pacific theater on Joint Task Force Seven he was Deputy Plans and Operations Officer for the first atomic tests at Eniwetok. Years later as a Lieutenant General in 1963, he was Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter
, Hawaii.
Among his many assignments during his eighteen years in the Pentagon he served as Chief of Staff of the NATO Standing Group, Director of Operations as well as Director of Plans for the U.S. Army General Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
Upon retirement on October 31, 1970, Woolnough returned to his family home in Arlington, Virginia.
Woolnough died on May 30, 1996 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
next to his wife, Mary Agnes Woolnough, who died in 1980. He was survived by his second wife, Mary Dabinet Woolnough.
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 Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe
Fort Monroe was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula...
, Virginia. In this capacity he was responsible for the command and control of all active and reserve forces in the Six Armies of the Continental United States from 1967 to 1970.
Military career
Born on October 24, 1910 in MindanaoMindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, Philippine Islands of Colonel and Mrs. James B. Woolnough, Woolnough attended 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...
at West Point, graduating in 1932. Further training included the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning and the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. Additionally he was both a math instructor and a Regimental Commander at West Point.
During his 38 years of active duty, Woolnough held a variety of staff and command positions worldwide. Shortly after the D-Day Normandy Beach landing, June 1944, he became executive officer of the 16th Infantry
16th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 16th Infantry Regiment is a regiment in the United States Army.-Formation:The 34th Infantry Regiment and 11th Infantry Regiment consolidated into the 16th Infantry Regiment on 3 March 1869. The 11th Infantry's history prior to the consolidation is normally included with the 16th's.-U.S...
, 1st Infantry Division. In February 1945, during 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...
, he assumed command of the 393rd Infantry Regiment, 99th Infantry Division, which later provided the vanguard forces to prevent the German destruction of the Remagen Bridge, thus making it possible for the U.S. forces to cross the Rhine.
In September 1950 he was sent to Korea, given a map, and instructed to head north to find the 1st Cavalry Division, which he did and for a time commanded the 7th Cavalry Regiment, the Garry Owen. Eleven years later, as a Major General, he returned to Korea as the 1st Cavalry Division Commanding Officer.
In the Pacific theater on Joint Task Force Seven he was Deputy Plans and Operations Officer for the first atomic tests at Eniwetok. Years later as a Lieutenant General in 1963, he was Deputy Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter
Fort Shafter is in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i, extending up the interfluve between Kalihi and Moanalua valleys, as well as onto the coastal plain at Māpunapuna. Fort Shafter is the headquarters of the United States Army Pacific Command, the MACOM of U.S. Army forces in...
, Hawaii.
Among his many assignments during his eighteen years in the Pentagon he served as Chief of Staff of the NATO Standing Group, Director of Operations as well as Director of Plans for the U.S. Army General Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army.
Upon retirement on October 31, 1970, Woolnough returned to his family home in Arlington, Virginia.
Woolnough died on May 30, 1996 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center was the United States Army's flagship medical center until 2011. Located on 113 acres in Washington, D.C., it served more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military...
, 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...
next to his wife, Mary Agnes Woolnough, who died in 1980. He was survived by his second wife, Mary Dabinet Woolnough.