Ben Lear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Lear
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General Ben Lear
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| Nickname(s) | "Yoo Hoo" |
| Born | May 12, 1879 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | November 1, 1966 (aged 87) Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States |
| Place of burial |
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1898–1945 |
| Rank |  General |
| Service number | 0-1179 |
| Commands held | 1st Cavalry Division (1936–1938) Pacific Sector Panama Canal Zone (1938–1940) U.S. Second Army (1940–1943) Army Ground Forces (1944–1945) |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star |
| Medal record | ||
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| Men's Equestrian | ||
| Representing the United States |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Bronze | 1912 Stockholm | Team eventing |
Benjamin Lear (May 12, 1879 – November 1, 1966) was a United States Army general who served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine Insurrection, World War I and World War II. He also competed at the 1912 Summer Olympics.
Contents
Early career
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Ben Lear was born in Hamilton, Ontario, on May 12, 1879. His military service began in 1898, when he enlisted with the 1st Colorado Infantry, USV, for the Spanish–American War as a first sergeant. He was promoted to second lieutenant during the Philippine–American War in the 1st Colorado and later in the 36th Infantry, USV, then joined the regular army as a sergeant at the end of the war. He subsequently served in World War I.
He was a 1912 Olympian, part of the equestrian team which won the bronze medal in the three-day team event.
Lear graduated from the Army School of the Line in 1922, the Army General Staff School in 1923, and the Army War College in 1926.
He was promoted to brigadier general in May 1936 and major general in October 1938. He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from 1936 to 1938, and the Pacific Sector of the Panama Canal Zone from 1938 to 1940.
World War II
Stateside duty
Lear was promoted to lieutenant general in October 1940 and was commanding general of U.S. Second Army from October 20, 1940 to April 25, 1943. As such, he was responsible for training a large number of U.S. soldiers during World War II. He became known as a strict disciplinarian.
During the Louisiana Maneuvers, Lear led his U.S. Second Army against the U.S. Third Army under Lieutenant General Walter Krueger. In these maneuvers, Lear judged the control and discipline of the 35th Division to be unsatisfactory, and relieved Truman of his command.
Lear continued in command of Second Army until he was relieved by Lieutenant General Lloyd Fredendall in April 1943.
Retirement and recall to active duty
Lear was administratively retired in May 1943, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 64, but was immediately recalled to active duty to serve on the Personnel Board of the Secretary of War, and retained his ranks as a lieutenant general. He became Commanding General of Army Ground Forces on 14 July 1944 when Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, his predecessor, was killed in Normandy on 25 July 1944.
After the German counter-attack in the Ardennes caused a manpower crisis, in January 1945 he was appointed deputy commander of European Theater of Operations, US Army, responsible for theater manpower. As such, he overhauled the replacement system, but the war against Germany ended before the full benefits of his reforms could be realized.
Retirement
Lear fully retired from the army in July 1945 and was promoted to general on 19 July 1954, by special act of Congress (Public Law 83-508). He settled in Memphis, Tennessee after retirement.
He died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on 1 November 1966, and was buried on 3 November 1966 in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 4, Grave 2690.
Decorations and medals
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Army Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster |
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Silver Star |
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Spanish War Service Medal |
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Philippine Campaign Medal |
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Army of Cuban Occupation Medal |
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Army of Cuban Pacification Medal |
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Mexican Border Service Medal |
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World War I Victory Medal |
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American Defense Service Medal |
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American Campaign Medal |
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European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three service stars |
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World War II Victory Medal |
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Army of Occupation Medal |
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Legion of Honour, Commandeur |
Promotions
| No pin insignia in 1898 | First sergeant, Volunteer Army: May 1, 1898 |
| No pin insignia in 1899 | Second lieutenant, Volunteer Army: April 1, 1899 |
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First lieutenant, Volunteer Army: July 12, 1899 |
| No pin insignia in 1901 | Second lieutenant, United States Army: June 12, 1901 |
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First lieutenant, United States Army: December 9, 1901 |
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Captain, United States Army: August 10, 1912 |
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Major, National Army: August 5, 1917 |
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Lieutenant colonel, National Army: January 26, 1918 |
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Colonel, temporary: August 31, 1918 |
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Captain, Regular Army: September 25, 1919 |
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Lieutenant colonel, Regular Army: July 1, 1920 |
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Colonel, Regular Army: September 19, 1929 |
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Brigadier general, Regular Army: May 1, 1936 |
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Major general, Regular Army: October 1, 1938 |
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Lieutenant general, Regular Army: October 1, 1940 |
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Lieutenant general, Retired List: July 31, 1945 |
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General, Retired List: July 19, 1954 |
See also
In Spanish: Benjamin Lear para niños
