James Van Fleet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Van Fleet
General James Van Fleet, pictured here in 1953
Born	(1892-03-19)March 19, 1892 Coytesville (Fort Lee, New Jersey), U.S.
Died	September 23, 1992(1992-09-23) (aged 100) Polk City, Florida, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1915–1953
Rank	General
Service number	0-3847
Unit	Infantry Branch
Commands held	Eighth United States Army Second United States Army III Corps XXIII Corps 90th Infantry Division 4th Infantry Division 8th Infantry Regiment 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment 17th Machine Gun Battalion
Battles/wars	Border War World War I Meuse–Argonne Offensive World War II Operation Overlord Battle of Normandy Siegfried Line campaign Battle of the Bulge Western Allied invasion of Germany Occupation of Germany Greek Civil War Operation Pyrsos Korean War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart (3) Taegeuk Order of Military Merit
Other work	Football coach Diplomat Businessman Author Rancher

General James Alward Van Fleet (March 19, 1892 – September 23, 1992) was a brave United States Army officer. He served in three major conflicts: World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Van Fleet was born in New Jersey but grew up in Florida. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He commanded many different units during World War II. Later, he led the United States Army and other United Nations forces during the Korean War.

Early Life and Education

At West Point in 1915

James Van Fleet was born in Coytesville, Fort Lee, New Jersey. His family moved to Florida when he was a baby. He spent his childhood there. He went to high school at the Summerlin Institute in Bartow, Florida.

In 1911, Van Fleet was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. While at West Point, he was a talented fullback on the Army football team. In 1914, his team had a perfect, undefeated season. He graduated in 1915, in a very famous class. Many of his classmates, like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley, also became generals. This class was even called "the class the stars fell on" because so many became generals.

Military Career Highlights

Starting His Army Journey

After graduating, Van Fleet became a second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch of the United States Army. He was first stationed in New York. Later, he moved to Texas to help with border security. During this time, he was promoted to first lieutenant and then captain.

In 1918, Van Fleet was sent to France during World War I. He commanded the 17th Machine Gun Battalion. He was injured in the Meuse–Argonne offensive just a week before the war ended in November 1918.

Between the World Wars

After World War I, Van Fleet continued his military career. He was also a football coach! He coached the Florida Gators football team in 1923 and 1924. He helped the team become well-known.

He also taught military science at the University of Florida. Unlike many other officers who became generals, Van Fleet did not attend special advanced military colleges. This makes his rise to high command even more impressive.

World War II Hero

Van Fleet commanded the 8th Infantry Regiment for three years. He led his troops into battle in Europe during World War II. He was part of the D-Day landings on Utah Beach in June 1944. His outstanding leadership during this time earned him his first Distinguished Service Cross.

For a while, his promotion was delayed by mistake. The Army Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall, confused him with another officer. But when General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who knew Van Fleet from West Point, cleared things up, Van Fleet was quickly promoted. He became a brigadier general and then a major general. He commanded the 90th "Tough Ombres" Infantry Division. He earned the respect of leaders like Lieutenant General George S. Patton.

He continued to command different groups, including III Corps, until the war ended. He then helped with the occupation of Germany.

Helping Greece and Korea

After World War II, Van Fleet was sent to Greece in 1948. He was promoted to lieutenant general. He led the U.S. military advisory group there. He helped the Greek government during the Greek Civil War by giving advice and military aid. His help was very important in ending the war. There is even a statue of him in the Greek city of Kastoria.

In 1951, Van Fleet went to Korea. He replaced General Matthew B. Ridgway as the commander of the U.S. Eighth Army and United Nations forces. He was promoted to a four-star general. He played a big part in making the Republic of Korea Army stronger. He also helped restart the Korea Military Academy (KMA), which is now a top military school. South Koreans even called him the "father of the Korean Army." A statue of him stands on the KMA campus.

During the Korean War, Van Fleet faced a personal tragedy. In April 1952, his son, James Alward Van Fleet Jr., died while flying a bomber over Korea.

Life After the War

Van Fleet commanded the 8th Army until February 1953. He retired from the Army in March at age 61. He promised the Korean people he would return, saying, "I shall come back. You have made me a part of you. I know you are a part of me. I shall not ask you to give me back my heart. I leave it with you."

After retiring, he worked to strengthen ties between Korea and the U.S. He was involved with the American-Korean Foundation and helped start The Korea Society. In 1962, he visited Korea again and gave a speech called "The Miracle on the Han," praising Korea's progress.

Later Life and Legacy

Van Fleet passed away in his sleep on September 23, 1992, at his ranch in Polk City, Florida. He was 100 years old and the oldest living general in the U.S. at the time. He is buried with his wives in Arlington National Cemetery.

Former President Harry S. Truman once called Van Fleet "the greatest general we ever had."

Van Fleet received many important awards for his service. These include three Distinguished Service Crosses, four Distinguished Service Medals, and three Purple Hearts for being wounded in combat. His most cherished award was the Combat Infantryman's Badge (CIB), which is given to soldiers who fight in ground combat.

The General James A. Van Fleet State Trail (2010)

After his death, The Korea Society created the annual James A. Van Fleet Award. This award honors people who have done a lot to improve U.S.-Korea relations.

The University of Florida gave him an honorary degree. Their military sciences building is named Van Fleet Hall. He was also honored in the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. In Florida, a walking and biking path, the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail, is named after him.

Statues honoring him stand in Kastoria, Greece, and at the Korean Military Academy in South Korea. In 2015, South Korea even issued a stamp in his honor.

Personal Life

James Van Fleet and his wife, Helen Moore Van Fleet, had three children. Their only son, James Alward Van Fleet Jr., died during the Korean War. Van Fleet also enjoyed collecting art. He donated many valuable Asian art pieces to the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art.

Awards and Decorations

General Van Fleet earned many awards for his bravery and service:

He also received awards from other countries:

• Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix (Greece)
• Distinguished Medal of Honor (Greece)
• Grand Commander of the Order of George I (Greece)
• 

  
  Order of Diplomatic Service Merit with gold star (Korea)
• Order of the Lion and the Sun, grade 1 (Iran)
• Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)
• Legion of Honor (France)
• Croix de Guerre with palm (France)
• Croix de Guerre with palm (Belgium)
• Grand Cross of the Order of Orange Nassau with swords (Netherlands)
• Order of Boyaca (Colombia)

He also received decorations from Ethiopia, Thailand, Philippines, and the Republic of China.

See also

• List of United States Military Academy alumni
• List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
• The Korea Society