Williston B. Palmer
Encyclopedia
Williston Birkhimer Palmer (November 11, 1899 – October 11, 1973) was a United States Army
four star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
(VCSA) from 1955 to 1957; Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
(DCINCEUR) from 1957 to 1959; and was the first Director of Military Assistance, 1959 to 1962. His brother Charles D. Palmer
, was also a four star general, the first pair of brothers in Army history to achieve this, and his grandfather, William E. Birkhimer
was a brigadier general and Medal of Honor
recipient.
in 1919 after an accelerated 3-year course.
During World War II, as a brigadier general, he commanded VII Corps artillery, from the Normandy invasion to the Elbe
.
Following the war he served as Director of Logistics, European Command
, commanded the 82nd Airborne Division in 1950, followed by command of the 2nd Armored Division in 1951 and X Corps in Korea later that same year.
During his tenure as Director of Military Assistance, a scandal erupted over black market activities in Turkey
involving military personnel. Palmer defended soldiers who refused to testify to the Senate by pointing out that the Uniform Code of Military Justice
protected soldiers from self-incrimination.
He caused controversy when in October 1960, while visiting Saigon, he said the United States was suspending military aid to Laos
because of the "confused situation" in there, saying "we have not been sure who is responsible for anything." After two days of confusion, the U.S. embassy in Vientiane
said the announcement had been incorrect and made without instructions from Washington, D.C.
During his time as Vice Chief of Staff, in order to save money, he issued an order ending the horse drawn caissons in Arlington National Cemetery
. However, his order was countermanded. He retired from the army in 1962.
Palmer died on died November 10, 1973, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
in Washington, D.C. He never married, and was buried with his mother in Arlington National Cemetery, and was later joined by his brother.
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 Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
The Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army is the principal advisor and assistant to the Army Chief of Staff, the second-highest ranking officer in the US Army. He handles the day to day administration of the Army bureaucracy, freeing the Chief of Staff to attend to the interservice...
(VCSA) from 1955 to 1957; Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
(DCINCEUR) from 1957 to 1959; and was the first Director of Military Assistance, 1959 to 1962. His brother Charles D. Palmer
Charles D. Palmer
Charles Day Palmer was a United States Army four star general who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B...
, was also a four star general, the first pair of brothers in Army history to achieve this, and his grandfather, William E. Birkhimer
William E. Birkhimer
William Edward Birkhimer was an United States Army Brigadier General and lawyer received the Medal of Honor while a Captain during the Philippine-American War...
was a brigadier general and Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient.
Military career
Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 11, 1899, the oldest son of Colonel Charles Day Palmer. He graduated from the United States Military AcademyUnited 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 after an accelerated 3-year course.
During World War II, as a brigadier general, he commanded VII Corps artillery, from the Normandy invasion to the Elbe
Elbe
The Elbe is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Krkonoše Mountains of the northwestern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia , then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg...
.
Following the war he served as Director of Logistics, European Command
United States European Command
The United States European Command is one of ten Unified Combatant Commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territories, including Europe, Russia, Iceland, Greenland, and Israel...
, commanded the 82nd Airborne Division in 1950, followed by command of the 2nd Armored Division in 1951 and X Corps in Korea later that same year.
During his tenure as Director of Military Assistance, a scandal erupted over black market activities in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
involving military personnel. Palmer defended soldiers who refused to testify to the Senate by pointing out that the Uniform Code of Military Justice
Uniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
protected soldiers from self-incrimination.
He caused controversy when in October 1960, while visiting Saigon, he said the United States was suspending military aid to Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
because of the "confused situation" in there, saying "we have not been sure who is responsible for anything." After two days of confusion, the U.S. embassy in Vientiane
Vientiane
-Geography:Vientiane is situated on a bend of the Mekong river, which forms the border with Thailand at this point.-Climate:Vientiane features a tropical wet and dry climate with a distinct monsoon season and a dry season. Vientiane’s dry season spans from November through March. April marks the...
said the announcement had been incorrect and made without instructions from Washington, D.C.
During his time as Vice Chief of Staff, in order to save money, he issued an order ending the horse drawn caissons 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...
. However, his order was countermanded. He retired from the army in 1962.
Palmer died on died November 10, 1973, 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. He never married, and was buried with his mother in Arlington National Cemetery, and was later joined by his brother.