Andrew Goodpaster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrew Goodpaster
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| 6th Supreme Allied Commander Europe | |
| In office July 1, 1969 – December 15, 1974 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Deputy | Robert Bray Desmond Fitzpatrick John Mogg |
| Preceded by | Lyman Lemnitzer |
| Succeeded by | Alexander M. Haig Jr. |
| Director of the Joint Staff | |
| In office August 1, 1966 – March 31, 1967 |
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| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | David A. Burchinal |
| Succeeded by | Berton E. Spivy |
| Superintendent of the United States Military Academy | |
| In office 1977–1981 |
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| Preceded by | Sidney Bryan Berry |
| Succeeded by | Willard Warren Scott Jr. |
| Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission | |
| In office 1985–1990 |
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| Preceded by | Mark W. Clark |
| Succeeded by | Paul X. Kelley |
| White House Staff Secretary | |
| In office October 1954 – January 20, 1961 |
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| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Pete Carroll |
| Succeeded by | Bill Hartigan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 12, 1915 Granite City, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 16, 2005 (aged 90) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Spouse |
Dorothy Dulaney Anderson
(m. 1939) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | United States Military Academy (BS) Princeton University (MS, MA, PhD) |
| Nickname | "GoodP" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1939–1974 1977–1981 |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands | 8th Infantry Division Supreme Allied Commander Europe Superintendent of the United States Military Academy |
| Battles/wars | World War II Cold War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Cross Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Navy Distinguished Service Medal Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Purple Heart (2) Presidential Medal of Freedom National Order of Vietnam |
Andrew Jackson Goodpaster (February 12, 1915 – May 16, 2005) was an American Army General. He was a very important military leader. From 1969 to 1974, he was the NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR). This meant he was in charge of all NATO and U.S. military forces in Europe.
General Goodpaster was known for his smart thinking and strong leadership. After his first retirement, he returned to serve as the head of the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a famous school where future Army officers are trained. He served there from 1977 to 1981.
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What Was Andrew Goodpaster's Military Career Like?
Andrew Goodpaster joined the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1935. He graduated in 1939 as one of the top students. He became a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. This branch of the Army builds things like bridges and roads.
Goodpaster's Role in World War II
During World War II, Goodpaster led the 48th Combat Engineer Battalion. They fought in North Africa and Italy. He was very brave and received several awards for his service. These included the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star. He was also wounded twice, earning two Purple Hearts. After being injured in 1944, he worked in the War Planning Office.
Why Was Goodpaster Called a "Soldier-Scholar"?
Many people called Goodpaster a "soldier-scholar" because he was both a strong military leader and a very smart academic. He earned a Ph.D. (a very high degree) in politics from Princeton University in 1950. His studies helped him understand how technology and politics affect the world.
What Were Andrew Goodpaster's Key Assignments?
General Goodpaster held many important jobs throughout his career:
- He worked for President Dwight D. Eisenhower as his Staff Secretary and Defense Liaison Officer (1954–1961). This meant he helped the President with important defense matters.
- He advised Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Carter.
- He commanded the 8th Infantry Division in Germany (1961–1962).
- He was the Director of the Joint Staff (1966–1967). This role helps coordinate different parts of the military.
- He led the National War College (1967–1968), where senior military officers learn about national security.
- He was a Deputy Commander in Vietnam (1968–1969).
- His most famous role was Commander-in-Chief of U.S. forces in Europe and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Forces (1969–1974).
- He served as the Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy (1977–1981).
When Did Andrew Goodpaster Retire?
General Goodpaster retired from the military for the first time in 1974. After that, he worked as a senior fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. He also taught at The Citadel, a military college. He wrote a book called For the Common Defense in 1977.
Returning to West Point
He was asked to return to active duty in 1977 to lead the U.S. Military Academy. This happened after a situation in 1976 where some students at West Point broke academic rules. Goodpaster, who was a four-star General, chose to serve as a three-star Lieutenant General for this job. He helped the academy recover and strengthen its values. He retired again in 1981.
What Did Andrew Goodpaster Do After His Second Retirement?
After his second retirement in 1981, General Goodpaster was given back his four-star rank. He remained very active. He served on many important boards and worked on his own memories. He passed away at age 90 in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Why Did Goodpaster Support Getting Rid of Nuclear Weapons?
In his later years, General Goodpaster became a strong supporter of reducing and eventually getting rid of all nuclear weapons. He believed these weapons were dangerous and no longer useful for military strength. In 1996, he even wrote a statement with other generals. They argued that nuclear weapons should be completely eliminated for global safety.
Goodpaster's Civilian Contributions
Goodpaster also worked with several important organizations. He was a fellow at the Eisenhower Institute and the Institute for Defense Analyses. He helped create the Committee on the Present Danger. This group focused on the military threat from the Soviet Union and the need for a strong U.S. defense.
He also served as a leader for the George C. Marshall Foundation. This foundation created an award named after him, the Andrew J. Goodpaster Award. It honors American leaders who show great courage, selfless service, and leadership. A building at St. Mary's College of Maryland is also named Goodpaster Hall in his honor.
What Awards Did Andrew Goodpaster Receive?
General Goodpaster received many high honors for his service:
- In 1961, President Eisenhower gave him the Distinguished Service Medal. This was for his important work helping the President with defense matters.
- When he first retired in 1974, President Gerald Ford awarded him the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.
- In 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is a very high civilian award given for contributions to international affairs.
- In 1985, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 1992, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the United States Military Academy.
See also
- List of Supreme Allied Commanders Europe (SACEUR)
