Albert Coady Wedemeyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert C. Wedemeyer
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Wedemeyer in 1954
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| Born | July 9, 1896 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Died | December 17, 1989 (aged 93) Fort Belvoir, Virginia, U.S.
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| Allegiance | United States |
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Branch
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United States Army |
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Service years
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1919–1951 |
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Rank
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General |
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Service number
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0-12484 |
| Commands | Sixth United States Army |
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Conflicts
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| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit Presidential Medal of Freedom Order of Blue Sky and White Sun (China) |
| Other work | Author |
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Albert Coady Wedemeyer (born July 9, 1896 – died December 17, 1989) was an important United States Army general. He played a key role in World War II, especially in Asia. General Wedemeyer helped plan major military actions, including the Normandy invasion. He also served as a top advisor and commander of American forces in China. Later, during the Cold War, he was a strong supporter of the Berlin Airlift. He was known for his strong beliefs about how countries should be governed.
Contents
A Life of Service
Early Years and Military Training
Albert Coady Wedemeyer was born on July 9, 1896, in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the Creighton Preparatory School. In 1919, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He spent 17 years as a lieutenant before becoming a captain in 1935.
From 1936 to 1938, Captain Wedemeyer studied at a special military academy in Berlin, Germany. He learned about tank warfare and military strategy. He also met some important German leaders. After his studies, he observed large military exercises by the German Army in 1938.
When he returned to Washington, Wedemeyer became a leading expert on German military tactics. General George C. Marshall was one of his most eager students. Wedemeyer's career was also helped by his father-in-law, Lieutenant General Stanley Dunbar Embick. Embick was a high-ranking officer in the United States War Department.
Preparing for World War II
At the start of World War II, Wedemeyer was a lieutenant colonel. He worked as a staff officer in the War Plans Division.
The "Victory Program"
In 1941, Wedemeyer was the main author of the "Victory Program". This plan suggested that defeating Germany in Europe should be the United States' main goal in the war. This strategy was adopted and grew as the war continued. Wedemeyer also helped to plan the important Normandy Invasion.
Leading in Asia
In 1943, Wedemeyer was sent to the Southeast Asia Theatre. He became the Chief of Staff for Lord Louis Mountbatten. Mountbatten was the Supreme Allied Commander of the South East Asia Command (SEAC).
On October 27, 1944, General George C. Marshall sent Wedemeyer to China. He took command of United States Forces, China Theater (USF CT). He also became Chief of Staff to the Chinese leader, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Wedemeyer knew this was a challenging assignment. He found it difficult to take over because his predecessor had left without providing much information.
Challenges in China
During his time in China, Wedemeyer tried to encourage the Chinese Nationalist government. He wanted them to fight more actively against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces. He helped expand the "Hump" airlift operation. This operation brought supplies over mountains. He also continued programs to train and modernize the National Revolutionary Army.
His efforts faced challenges. There were disagreements about the role of the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army. However, Wedemeyer's advice helped the Nationalist Army. They defeated Japanese forces in the Battle of West Hunan. They also recaptured the cities of Guilin and Liuzhou. Wedemeyer also oversaw support for the United States Army Air Forces in China.
In December 1945, Wedemeyer, along with General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, made a recommendation. They suggested sending more Chinese Nationalist armies to North China and Manchuria. They also believed that U.S. aid should help bring together the different Chinese groups. This was to promote a united and democratic China. Wedemeyer believed strong action was needed to unite the Nationalist government and Chinese Communists. This would help defeat the Japanese forces in China.
After Japan surrendered, Wedemeyer was concerned. Some Japanese troops were surrendering to Communist Chinese forces. He wanted seven American divisions sent to China. However, General Marshall said that Japan and Korea were a higher priority. Wedemeyer served in China until 1946.
After the War
After returning from China, Wedemeyer became the Army Chief of Plans and Operations. In July 1947, President Harry S. Truman sent Wedemeyer back to China and Korea. His mission was to study the political, economic, and military situations.
The Wedemeyer Report
His findings were presented in the Wedemeyer Report. In this report, Wedemeyer emphasized the need for the United States to train and assist the Nationalist armies. He noted that Chiang's armies needed more support. Equipment like ammunition, fuel, and spare parts were severely lacking or too expensive. He recommended sending leftover equipment to China instead of destroying it.
President Truman did not accept all the report's recommendations. He also placed an arms embargo on the Nationalist government. This meant they could not receive weapons from the U.S. This decision led to strong political debates in the United States. Secretary of State George C. Marshall supported Truman's view. He also kept Wedemeyer's report from being widely published at first. The report was later reprinted in the 1949 China White Paper.
After completing the report, Wedemeyer took command of the Sixth United States Army in San Francisco, California. He felt this role kept him from further military policy decisions.
After China came under Communist control, Wedemeyer testified before Congress. He stated that the lack of U.S. training and the arms embargo contributed to the Nationalist forces' defeat. He believed that American military advisors working closely with Nationalist armies would have made U.S. aid more effective. Other military leaders, like Vice Admiral Oscar C. Badger and General Claire Chennault, also agreed that the arms embargo was a major factor.
Supporting the Berlin Airlift
In 1948, Wedemeyer supported General Lucius D. Clay's plan for an airbridge during the Berlin Crisis. An airbridge used airplanes to deliver supplies to West Berlin when ground routes were blocked.
After the Communist victory in China in 1949, Wedemeyer continued to criticize U.S. policy. He believed that some policies had led to the Communist takeover. He became a hero to many Americans who opposed communism. After retiring as a lieutenant general in 1951, he was promoted to full general by Congress on July 19, 1954.
Later Life and Recognition
On May 23, 1985, President Ronald Reagan presented General Wedemeyer with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.
Military Ranks Held
| No insignia | Cadet, United States Military Academy: 14 June 1917 |
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Second Lieutenant, Regular Army: 1 November 1918 |
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First Lieutenant, Regular Army: 27 February 1920 |
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Second Lieutenant, Regular Army: 15 December 1922 |
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First Lieutenant, Regular Army: 24 June 1924 |
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Captain, Regular Army: 1 August 1935 |
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Major, Regular Army: 1 July 1940 |
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Lieutenant Colonel, Army of the United States: 15 September 1941 |
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Colonel, Army of the United States: 1 February 1942 |
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Brigadier General, Army of the United States: 7 July 1942 |
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Lieutenant Colonel, Regular Army: 11 December 1942 |
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Major General, Army of the States: 20 September 1943 |
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Lieutenant General, Army of the United States: 1 January 1945 |
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Brigadier General, Regular Army: 6 April 1946 |
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Major General, Regular Army: 24 January 1948 |
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Lieutenant General, Retired list: 23 June 1951 |
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General, Regular Army, Retired List: 19 July 1954 |
Death and Legacy
General Wedemeyer passed away on December 17, 1989, in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He and his wife, Elizabeth Dade Embick, are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His permanent home, Friends Advice in Boyds, Maryland, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
See also
In Spanish: Albert Coady Wedemeyer para niños
