Wallace H. Nutting
Encyclopedia
Wallace Hall Nutting is a retired United States Army
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
(USCINCSOUTH) from 1979 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1983 to 1985.
Nutting's military career began when he served in the Maine National Guard
. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy
in 1946, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
, graduating in 1950. He saw combat in the Korean War
and served as a commander during two tours in the Vietnam War
. His commands include the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam; the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; the 3rd Armored Division; United States Southern Command
from 1979 to 1983; and United States Readiness Command from 1983 to 1985.
Nutting retired in 1985 and settled in Biddeford, Maine
with his wife Jane, where he served as mayor from 2003 to 2007. Nutting has also served as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies at the National Defense University
and is an Associate Fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University
. He was chairman of the University of Southern Maine
's Senior College board.
On May 28, 2008, General Nutting received the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award from the academy's Association of Graduates in a ceremony at West Point.
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 Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
(USCINCSOUTH) from 1979 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1983 to 1985.
Nutting's military career began when he served in the Maine National Guard
Maine National Guard
The Maine Department of Defense, Veterans, and Emergency Management is a government agency of Maine. It comprises the two components of the Maine National Guard, the Maine Army National Guard and the Maine Air National Guard, the Bureau of Veterans' Affairs, and the Maine Emergency Management...
. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy is a private secondary school located in Exeter, New Hampshire, in the United States.Exeter is noted for its application of Harkness education, a system based on a conference format of teacher and student interaction, similar to the Socratic method of learning through asking...
in 1946, he received an appointment 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...
, graduating in 1950. He saw combat in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and served as a commander during two tours in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. His commands include the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam; the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; the 3rd Armored Division; United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
from 1979 to 1983; and United States Readiness Command from 1983 to 1985.
Nutting retired in 1985 and settled in Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
with his wife Jane, where he served as mayor from 2003 to 2007. Nutting has also served as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies at the National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
and is an Associate Fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. He was chairman of the University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine is a multi-campus public urban comprehensive university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston...
's Senior College board.
On May 28, 2008, General Nutting received the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award from the academy's Association of Graduates in a ceremony at West Point.