Meyer, Edward C. “Shy”
$20.00
1980 TLS as Army Chief of Staff to the Commandant, Army War College, on keeping new general officers aware of new publications of interest
Description
Type: Letter
Description: (1928-2020) USMA 1951, Army General and 29th Chief of Staff 1979-83.
A platoon leader in Co, C, 25th Armored Infantry Btn in the Korean War 1951-52, after promotion to 1st Lieut. in 1952, he was a platoon leader, company commander, and staff officer with 2d Btn, 24th Infantry Regt in Korea to 1953. He returned to combat as deputy commander, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Div. (Airmobile) in Vietnam, commanding 2nd Btn, 5th Cavalry 1965-66. He returned to Vietnam to command 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Div. (Airmobile), then served as division chief of staff, leaving Vietnam in 1970.
After promotion to flag rank he served as assistant division commander (support), 82nd Airborne Div. 1971-72 then Army War College Deputy Commandant 1972-73, deputy chief of staff for operations, US Army Europe and 7th Army to 1974. He was chosen as Commanding General, 3rd Infantry Div., US Army, Europe 1974-75. He moved to the Pentagon in 1975 as Army assistant deputy chief and deputy chief of staff for operations and plans until 1979.
He was promoted to General in June 1979, Army Chief of Staff 1979-83. During his tenure he oversaw an Army-wide modernization program with emphasis on quality over quantity, stressed the need for a long-term investment in land force materiel, and launched a unit-manning system to reduce personnel turbulence and to enhance readiness. He retired from active service in June 1983.
TLS “Shy” on 10 ½ x 8 letterhead as Army Chief of Staff, Washington, March 4 1980, to “Dee” (Major General DeWitt C. Smith Jr., Army War College Commandant). Meyer thanks Smith for his letter discussing “the RETO [Review of Education and Training for Officers] proposal dealing with the review of professional literature. Meyer supports Smith’s view that a new program would be redundant and non-productive, objective will be accomplished by including significant, new reviews in “The Chief of Staff’s Weekly Summary.” He indicates AWC can assist by sending items or inserts for the “Summary.”
DeWITT C. SMITH,JR. (1920 -1985) US Army officer, former deputy Army Chief of Staff, twice (and longest-serving) Army War College commandant 1974 -77, 1978-80. Joined the Army 1942, commissioned 2nd lieutenant, with the 4th Armored Div. in combat after Normandy to the end of the War. Wounded 3 times, awarded Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, and 3 Purple Hearts. Discharged 1946, returned to active duty in Korea and stayed in the military. He was an aide to Chief of Staff Maxwell Taylor, served in the “Old Guard” at Fort Myer, a battalion XO and commander in Germany. He served at the Pentagon before going to the Army War College. Led a combat brigade of the 1st Infantry in Vietnam. In 1970, under his leadership, Fort Carson, Colo. was made an initial test site for the modern volunteer Army concept. After his stints at the War College, he retired in 1980.
Condition: Very good, light clip stain remnant at top left
