Willard G. Wyman
Encyclopedia
Willard Gordon Wyman (March 21, 1898 – March 29, 1969) was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commanding General, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC) from 1956 to 1958.
Wyman was born in Augusta, Maine
. He was graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1919. During World War II
he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff of IX Corps, and later in 1942 as Deputy Chief of Staff of the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. From 1942 to 1943 Deputy Chief of Staff Allied Forces Headquarters
before being assigned as Assistant Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division. He took command of the 71st Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945.
During the Korean War he commanded the IX Corps, and after that assignment served as Commander in Chief, NATO Land Forces South-East Europe from 1952 to 1954, followed by command of Sixth United States Army from 1954 to 1955. His final assignment was Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Continental Command. He retired from the Army in 1958.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star
, the Legion of Merit
, and the Bronze Star
with "V" device.
He died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
in Washington, D.C.
on March 29, 1969, aged 71, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
. His wife Ethel Megginson Wyman (1896–1986) is buried next to him.
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, U.S. Continental Army Command (CG CONARC) from 1956 to 1958.
Wyman was born in Augusta, Maine
Augusta, Maine
Augusta is the capital of the US state of Maine, county seat of Kennebec County, and center of population for Maine. The city's population was 19,136 at the 2010 census, making it the third-smallest state capital after Montpelier, Vermont and Pierre, South Dakota...
. He was graduated from 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 1919. During 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...
he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff of IX Corps, and later in 1942 as Deputy Chief of Staff of the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. From 1942 to 1943 Deputy Chief of Staff Allied Forces Headquarters
Allied Forces Headquarters
Allied Force Headquarters was the headquarters that controlled all Allied operational forces in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II from late 1942 to the end of the war....
before being assigned as Assistant Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division. He took command of the 71st Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945.
During the Korean War he commanded the IX Corps, and after that assignment served as Commander in Chief, NATO Land Forces South-East Europe from 1952 to 1954, followed by command of Sixth United States Army from 1954 to 1955. His final assignment was Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Continental Command. He retired from the Army in 1958.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, the Army Distinguished Service Medal with three 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....
, 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 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...
with "V" device.
Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished Service Cross (United States)The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
with three 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....
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...
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...
with "V" Device
He died 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...
in 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....
on March 29, 1969, aged 71, 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...
. His wife Ethel Megginson Wyman (1896–1986) is buried next to him.