Taylor, Maxwell D.

Description

Autograph ID: 6772
Condition: Very Good, pencil dockets top left, some partially erased underlining in body
Description: “(1901-1988) US Army officer, led 82nd Airborne in North Africa, Sicily & Italy invasions. Commanded 82nd Airborne March 1944-August 1945 thru Normandy, Holland and into Germany. Commander of US forces in Berlin 1949–51, led 8th Army 1953 in final operations of Korean War, commanded US Forces Far East & 8th Army 1954–55, led UN Command 1955. As Army Chief of Staff 1955–59, directed operations at Little Rock, Lebanon, Taiwan, & Berlin. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff 1962–64, Ambassador to South Vietnam 1964–65. Special Consultant to the President and Chairman of the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board 1965–69, President of the Institute for Defense Analyses 1966–69.

ALS on 10 1/4 x 6 ¾ personal letterhead, Washington, November 8 1974, to DeWitt (DeWitt C. Smith Jr., Army War College Commandant. Taylor has entered 20 February on his calendar for his (Army) War College appearance, plans to arrive early “to enjoy dinner with nothing on my conscience.”

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. In 1942, he joined the Army, commissioned a 2nd lieutenant, served with the 4th Armored Div. in combat after Normandy to the end of the War. Wounded 3 times, he was awarded the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, and 3 Purple Hearts. Discharged 1946, he 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, and was a battalion XO and commander in Germany. He served at the Pentagon before going to the Army War College. He 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.”
Type: Letter