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{{short description|20th-century US Army general}}
{{Short description|US Army general (1899–1988)}}
{{multiple issues|
{{multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2013}}
{{more footnotes|date=March 2013}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=March 2013}}
}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox military person
|name= Lyman Lemnitzer
|image= Lyman L. Lemnitzer.jpg
| name = Lyman Lemnitzer
| image = GEN Lyman L. Lemnitzer, portrait as SACEUR (cropped 2).jpg
|image_size=
| image_size =
|alt=
| alt =
|caption= General Lyman Louis Lemnitzer, United States Army
| caption = Portrait as [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]], 1967
|nickname=
| nickname =
|birth_date= {{birth date|1899|8|29}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1899|8|29}}
|birth_place= [[Honesdale, Pennsylvania]]
| birth_place = [[Honesdale, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date= {{death date and age|1988|11|12|1899|8|29}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1988|11|12|1899|8|29}}
|death_place= [[Washington, D.C.]]
| death_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|allegiance= United States
|branch= [[United States Army]]
| allegiance = United States
| branch = [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears= 1916–1969
| serviceyears = 1918–1969
|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
| rank = [[General (United States)|General]]
|unit=
| unit =
|commands= [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]<br/>[[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]<br/>[[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]]<br/>[[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]]<br/>[[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]]<br/>[[11th Airborne Division (United States)|11th Airborne Division]]<br/>34th Coast Artillery Brigade
| commands = [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]<br/>[[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]<br/>[[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Chief of Staff of the Army]]<br/>[[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]]<br/>[[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]]<br/>[[11th Airborne Division (United States)|11th Airborne Division]]<br/>34th Coast Artillery Brigade
|battles= [[World War II]]<br/>[[Korean War]]
| battles = {{tree list}}
|awards= [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br/>[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>[[Silver Star]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit]] (2)
* [[World War II]]
|relations=
** [[North African campaign]]
|laterwork= [[U.S. President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States|Rockefeller Commission]]
** [[Italian campaign (World War II)|Italian campaign]]
|office = [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
*** [[Operation Husky]]
|president = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]<br>[[John F. Kennedy]]
** [[Occupation of Japan]]
|term_start = October 1, 1960
* [[Korean War]]
|term_end = September 30, 1962
* [[Vietnam War]]
|predecessor = [[Nathan F. Twining]]
{{tree list/end}}
|successor = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
| awards = [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br/>[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>[[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<br/>[[Silver Star]]<br/>[[Legion of Merit]] (2)
|office1 = [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Chief of Staff of the Army]]
| relations =
|president1 = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
| laterwork = [[U.S. President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States|Rockefeller Commission]]
|term_start1 = 1 July 1959
|term_end1 = 30 September 1960
|predecessor1 = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
|successor1 = [[George H. Decker]]
|office2 = [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army|Vice Chief of Staff of the Army]]
|president2 = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
|term_start2 = June 1, 1957
|term_end2 = June 30, 1959
|predecessor2 = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
|successor2 = [[George H. Decker]]
|office3 = [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]]
|president3 = [[John F. Kennedy]]<br>[[Lyndon B. Johnson]]
|term_start3 = January 1, 1963
|term_end3 = July 1, 1969
|predecessor3 = [[Lauris Norstad]]
|successor3 = [[Andrew Goodpaster]]
|office4 = [[Chair of the NATO Military Committee]]
|term_start4 = June 1961
|term_end4 = 1962
|predecessor4 = [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma]]
|successor4 = [[Charles Paul de Cumont]]
|office5 = [[United Nations Command|Commander of the United Nations Command]]
|president5 = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
|term_start5 = 5 June 1955
|term_end5 = 1 July 1957
|predecessor5 = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
|successor5 = [[George Decker]]
|office6 = [[United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands|Governor of the Ryukyu Islands]]
|president6 = [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]
|term_start6 = 5 June 1955
|term_end6 = 30 June 1957
|predecessor6 = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
|successor6 = Office abolished
}}
}}
'''Lyman Louis Lemnitzer''' (August 29, 1899 – November 12, 1988) was a [[United States Army]] [[General (United States)|general]] who served as the fourth [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from 1960 to 1962. He then served as the [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] of [[NATO]] from 1963 to 1969.
'''Lyman Louis Lemnitzer''' (August 29, 1899 – November 12, 1988) was a [[United States Army]] [[General (United States)|general]] who served as the fourth [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] from 1960 to 1962. He then served as the [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] of [[NATO]] from 1963 to 1969. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lemnitzer was responsible for drafting [[Operation Northwoods]], a proposed plan to create support for military action against [[Cuba]], by orchestrating [[false flag]] [[terrorism]] acts in the United States.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
[[File:Lyman Louis Lemnitzer (1899–1988) at West Point in 1920.png|thumb|left|150px|Lemnitzer at West Point as a Cadet in 1920]]
Lemnitzer was born on August 29, 1899 in [[Honesdale, Pennsylvania]]. He was raised [[Lutheran]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/602/000172086/|title = Lyman L. Lemnitzer}}</ref> and graduated from Honesdale High School in 1917. He then entered the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, from which he graduated in 1920 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the [[United States Army Coast Artillery Corps]].

Lemnitzer was born on August 29, 1899, in [[Honesdale, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=Funeral>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114563950/funeral-slated-tuesday-for-world-war-ii/ |title=Funeral slated Tuesday for World War II hero |newspaper=Scrantonion Tribune |location=Washington |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114563971/funeral-slated-tuesday-for-world-war-ii/ 13] |date=1988-11-14 |access-date=2022-12-13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1917.

He then entered the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, from which he graduated in 1920 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the [[United States Army Coast Artillery Corps]].<ref name=Cullum>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwBK1ekjkkEC&pg=PA2148 |title=Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890 |first=George Washington |last=Cullum |author-link=George Washington Cullum |editor-first=Wirt |editor-last=Robinson |volume=VI-B: 1910–1920 |publisher=Association of Graduates, [[United States Military Academy]] |page=2148 |year=1920 |access-date=2022-12-13 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
{{Clear left}}


==Early career==
==Early career==
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==World War II==
==World War II==
[[File:General Lyman Lemnitzer with his M-16 Rifle.jpg|left|thumb|222x222px|[[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General Lyman Lemnitzer with his personal [[M16 rifle|M-16 Rifle]]. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, General Lemnitzer preferred more to use an M-16 Rifle as his personal firearm, rather than an [[M1911 pistol|M1911 semi-automatic]] pistol which was the standard firearms for General officers.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rearden|first=Steven L.|title=Council of war : a history of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|year=2012|isbn=978-1-78039-886-0|pages=175}}</ref>]]
[[File:General Lyman Lemnitzer with his M-16 Rifle.jpg|left|thumb|222x222px|[[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General Lyman Lemnitzer with his personal [[M16 rifle|M-16 rifle]]. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, General Lemnitzer preferred to use an M-16 as his personal firearm, rather than an [[M1911 pistol|M1911 semi-automatic]] pistol which was the standard firearms for general officers.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rearden|first=Steven L.|title=Council of war : a history of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|year=2012|isbn=978-1-78039-886-0|pages=175|publisher=NDU Press for the Joint History Office, Office of the Director, Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff }}</ref>]]


Lemnitzer was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in June 1942 and commanded the 34th Coast Artillery Brigade. He was subsequently assigned to General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'s staff, where he helped plan the invasions of [[Operation Torch|North Africa]] and [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] and was promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]] in November 1944. Lemnitzer was one of the senior officers sent to negotiate the [[Italian Social Republic|Italian fascist]] surrender during the secret [[Operation Sunrise (World War II)|Operation Sunrise]] and the German surrender in 1945.
Lemnitzer was promoted to [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in June 1942 and commanded the 34th Coast Artillery Brigade. He was subsequently assigned to General [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]]'s staff, where he helped plan the invasions of [[Operation Torch|North Africa]] and [[Allied invasion of Sicily|Sicily]] and was promoted to [[Major general (United States)|major general]] in November 1944. Lemnitzer was one of the senior officers sent to negotiate the [[Italian Social Republic|Italian fascist]] surrender during the secret [[Operation Sunrise (World War II)|Operation Sunrise]] and the German surrender in 1945.


==Post-World War II==
==Postwar career==
Following the end of World War II, Lemnitzer was assigned to the Strategic Survey Committee of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] and was later named deputy commandant of the [[National War College]]. In 1950, at the age of 51, Lemnitzer took [[parachute]] training and was placed in command of the [[11th Airborne Division (United States)|11th Airborne Division]]. He was assigned to [[Korean War|Korea]] in command of the [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]] in November 1951 and was promoted to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in August 1952.[[File:Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gate with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Nathan F. Twining and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Lyman Lemnitzer.jpg|left|thumb|222x222px|Recently appointed [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General Lyman Lemnitzer with the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General [[Nathan F. Twining]] and [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Thomas S. Gates Jr.]] ]]
Following the end of World War II, Lemnitzer was assigned to the Strategic Survey Committee of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] and was later named Deputy Commandant of the [[National War College]].
Lemnitzer was promoted to the rank of general and named commander-in-chief of [[Far East Command (United States)|Far East Command]] and of the [[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]] in March 1955. He was the final officer to hold the title of [[Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers]] which oversaw the postwar [[occupation of Japan]]. He was appointed [[Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army|vice chief of staff of the Army]] in June 1957, [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army|chief of staff of the Army]] in July 1959. He was appointed [[chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] in September 1960 allowing to remain on active duty despite having reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. As chairman, Lemnitzer was involved in the [[Bay of Pigs Invasion|Bay of Pigs]] crisis and the early years of [[United States involvement in the Vietnam War]]. He was also required to testify before the [[United States Senate]] Foreign Affairs Committee about his knowledge of the activities of Major General [[Edwin Walker]], who had been dismissed from the Army over alleged attempts to promote his political beliefs in the military.

==Korean War==
In 1950, at the age of 51, Lemnitzer took [[parachute]] training and was placed in command of the [[11th Airborne Division (United States)|11th Airborne Division]]. He was assigned to [[Korean War|Korea]] in command of the [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Infantry Division]] in November 1951 and was promoted to [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in August 1952.

==Post-Korean War==
[[File:Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gate with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Nathan F. Twining and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Lyman Lemnitzer.jpg|left|thumb|222x222px|Recently appointed [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] General Lyman Lemnitzer with the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General [[Nathan F. Twining]] and [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] [[Thomas S. Gates Jr.]] ]]
Lemnitzer was promoted to the rank of general and named commander of US Army forces in the Far East and of the [[Eighth United States Army|Eighth Army]] in March 1955. He was named [[Chief of Staff of the United States Army]] in July 1957 and appointed [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] in September 1960. As Chairman, Lemnitzer was involved in the [[Bay of Pigs Invasion|Bay of Pigs]] crisis and the early years of [[United States involvement in the Vietnam War]]. He was also required to testify before the [[United States Senate]] Foreign Affairs Committee about his knowledge of the activities of Major General [[Edwin Walker]], who had been dismissed from the Army over alleged attempts to promote his political beliefs in the military.


As the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, Lemnitzer approved the plans known as [[Operation Northwoods]] in 1962, a proposed plan to discredit the [[Fidel Castro|Castro]] regime and create support for military action against [[Cuba]] by staging [[false flag]] acts of [[terrorism]] and developing "a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington". Lemnitzer presented the plans to Secretary of Defense [[Robert McNamara]] on March 13, 1962. It is unclear how McNamara reacted, but three days later President [[John F. Kennedy]] told the general that there was no chance that the US would take military action against Cuba. Within a few months, after the refusal to endorse Operation Northwoods, Lemnitzer was denied another term as JCS chairman.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=92662&page=2 ABC News: U.S. Military Wanted to Provoke War With Cuba<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
As chairman, Lemnitzer approved the plans known as [[Operation Northwoods]] in 1962, a proposed plan to discredit the [[Fidel Castro|Castro]] regime and create support for military action against [[Cuba]] by orchestrating [[false flag]] acts of [[terrorism]] and developing "a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington". Lemnitzer presented the plans to Secretary of Defense [[Robert McNamara]] on March 13, 1962. It is unclear how McNamara reacted, but three days later President [[John F. Kennedy]] told the general that there was no chance that the US would take military action against Cuba. Within a few months, after the refusal to endorse Operation Northwoods, Lemnitzer was denied another term as chairman.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=92662&page=2 ABC News: U.S. Military Wanted to Provoke War With Cuba<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


In November 1962, Lemnitzer was appointed as commander of [[U.S. European Command]], and as [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] of the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]] (NATO). His time in command saw the Cyprus crisis of 1963–1964 and the withdrawal of NATO forces from France in 1966. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, instead of carrying in place a regulation [[M1911 pistol|M1911]] [[semi-automatic pistol]] which was commonly used by general officers, General Lemnitzer preferred to carry a [[Rifle|long-barrelled]] [[M16 rifle|M-16 Rifle]] as his personal firearm.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Perry|first=Mark|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18744815|title=Four stars|date=1989|publisher=Houghton Mifflin|isbn=978-0-395-42923-5|location=Boston|oclc=18744815}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Council of War: A History of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1942-1991|publisher=Military Bookshop|year=1991|isbn=978-1780398877}}</ref> As of 2021, Lemnitzer is the only Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff to hold another U.S military command after his term as Chairman ended, rather than retiring.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
In November 1962, Lemnitzer was appointed as commander of [[U.S. European Command]] and as [[NATO|NATO's]] [[Supreme Allied Commander Europe]], which was a positional demotion from being chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His time in command saw the Cyprus crisis of 1963–1964 and the withdrawal of NATO forces from France in 1966. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, instead of carrying in place a regulation [[M1911 pistol|M1911]] [[semi-automatic pistol]] which was commonly used by general officers, General Lemnitzer preferred to carry a [[Rifle|long-barrelled]] [[M16 rifle|M-16 Rifle]] as his personal firearm.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Perry|first=Mark|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18744815|title=Four stars|date=1989|publisher=Houghton Mifflin|isbn=978-0-395-42923-5|location=Boston|oclc=18744815}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Council of War: A History of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1942-1991|publisher=Military Bookshop|year=1991|isbn=978-1780398877}}</ref> Lemnitzer is the only person to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff and then serve in another U.S. military command after his term as chairman ended.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />


==Later life and death==
==Later life and death==
[[File:KN-C17494. President John F. Kennedy Meets with Lord Louis Mountbatten.jpg|thumb|222x222px|Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer with President [[John F. Kennedy]] and British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Louis Mountbatten]]  in the [[Oval Office]], [[White House]], [[Washington, D.C.]] on April 11, 1961.]]
[[File:KN-C17494. President John F. Kennedy Meets with Lord Louis Mountbatten.jpg|thumb|222x222px|Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer with President [[John F. Kennedy]] and British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral [[Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma|Lord Louis Mountbatten]]&nbsp; in the [[Oval Office]], [[White House]], [[Washington, D.C.]], on April 11, 1961]]
Lemnitzer retired from the military in July 1969. His 14-year tenure as a four star general on active duty is the second longest at that rank in the history of the U.S. Army, after General [[William T. Sherman]] who held that rank from 1869 to 1884. He was the only person in history to serve as Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as Supreme Allied Commander for NATO.
Lemnitzer retired from the military in July 1969. His 14-year tenure as a four star general on active duty is the second longest at that rank in the history of the U.S. Army, after General [[William T. Sherman]] who held that rank from 1869 to 1884. He was the only person in history to serve as Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as Supreme Allied Commander for NATO.


General Lemnitzer is one of only four officers in the history of the United States Army to have actively served as a general during three major wars (World War II, Korea and Vietnam). The others were [[Winfield Scott]] (War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War), [[Douglas MacArthur]] (World War I, World War II and Korea) and [[Lewis Hershey]] (World War II, Korea, Vietnam).
General Lemnitzer is one of only four officers in the history of the United States Army to have actively served as a general during three major wars (World War II, Korea and Vietnam). The others were [[Winfield Scott]] (War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War), [[Douglas MacArthur]] (World War I, World War II and Korea) and [[Lewis Hershey]] (World War II, Korea, Vietnam).


In 1975, President [[Gerald Ford]] appointed Lemnitzer to the [[United States President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States|Commission on CIA Activities within the United States]] (aka the Rockefeller Commission) to investigate whether the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] had committed acts that violated US laws, and allegations that [[E. Howard Hunt]] and [[Frank Sturgis]] (of [[Watergate]] fame) were involved in the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]].
In 1975, President [[Gerald Ford]] appointed Lemnitzer to the [[United States President's Commission on CIA activities within the United States|Commission on CIA Activities within the United States]], also known as the Rockefeller Commission, to investigate whether the [[CIA]] had committed acts that violated US laws, and allegations that [[E. Howard Hunt]] and [[Frank Sturgis]] (of [[Watergate]] fame) were involved in the [[assassination of John F. Kennedy]].


Lemnitzer died on November 12, 1988, and is buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]]. His wife, Katherine Tryon Lemnitzer (1901–1994), is buried with him.<ref>{{cite web|website=Find a Grave|access-date=July 1, 2019|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4255/lyman-louis-lemnitzer|title=Lyman Louis Lemnitzer }}</ref>
Lemnitzer died at [[Walter Reed Army Medical Center]] on November 12, 1988, and is buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref name=Funeral/> His wife, Katherine Tryon Lemnitzer (1901–1994), is buried with him.


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
Lemnitzer was awarded numerous military awards and decorations<ref>[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=2122 Richard Nixon: Remarks on Presenting the Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to General Lyman L. Lemnitzer. – July 11th, 1969<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> including but not limited to:
Lemnitzer was awarded numerous military awards and decorations<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=2122 |title=Richard Nixon: Remarks on Presenting the Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to General Lyman L. Lemnitzer. – July 11th, 1969<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=March 25, 2007 |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121185212/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/print.php?pid=2122 |url-status=dead }}</ref> including but not limited to:
{|
{|
|[[File:Marine Distinguished Marksman Badge.png|100px]]
|[[File:Marine Distinguished Marksman Badge.png|100px]]
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|[[Order of Menelik II]] ([[Ethiopia]])
|[[Order of Menelik II]] ([[Ethiopia]])
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=PRT Military Order of Aviz - Grand Cross BAR.png|width=80}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=PRT Military Order of Aviz - Grand Cross BAR.svg|width=80}}
|[[Order of Aviz|Grand-Cross of the Portuguese Order of Aviz]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas|url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154|website=Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref>
|[[Order of Aviz|Grand-Cross of the Portuguese Order of Aviz]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas|url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154|website=Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas|access-date=1 August 2017}}</ref>
|-
|-
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|| [[Cadet#United States|Cadet]] || [[United States Military Academy]] || June 14, 1918
|| [[Cadet#United States|Cadet]] || [[United States Military Academy]] || June 14, 1918
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US-O1 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[Second lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] || [[Regular Army (United States)|Regular Army]] || July 2, 1920
|align="center" |[[File:US-O1 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[Second lieutenant#United States|Second Lieutenant]] || [[Regular Army (United States)|Regular Army]] || July 2, 1920
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:US-O2 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[First lieutenant#United States|First Lieutenant]] || Regular Army || June 9, 1925
|align="center" |[[File:US-O2 insignia.svg|13px]] || [[First lieutenant#United States|First Lieutenant]] || Regular Army || June 9, 1925
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|align="center" |[[File:US-O10 insignia.svg|132px]] || [[General (United States)|General]] || Retired List || June 30, 1969
|align="center" |[[File:US-O10 insignia.svg|132px]] || [[General (United States)|General]] || Retired List || June 30, 1969
|-
|-
|} <ref>Official Register of Commissioned Officers the United States Army, 1948. pg. 1068.</ref>
|}<ref>Official Register of Commissioned Officers the United States Army, 1948. pg. 1068.</ref>


==References==
==References==

{{Portal|World War II}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


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[[Category:NATO Supreme Allied Commanders]]
[[Category:NATO Supreme Allied Commanders]]
[[Category:United States Army Vice Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:United States Army Vice Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:United States Distinguished Marksman]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
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[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients]]
[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre (France)]]
[[Category:Grand Croix of the Légion d'honneur]]
[[Category:Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour]]
[[Category:Honorary Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Honorary companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Honorary Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Honorary commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Military Order of Savoy]]
[[Category:Grand Officers of the Military Order of Savoy]]
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[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Korea)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (South Korea)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Order of Italy]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Military Order of Italy]]
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[[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army War College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army War College alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army Coast Artillery Corps personnel]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Pennsylvania]]

Revision as of 22:14, 12 September 2024

Lyman Lemnitzer
Portrait as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, 1967
Born(1899-08-29)August 29, 1899
Honesdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 12, 1988(1988-11-12) (aged 89)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1918–1969
RankGeneral
CommandsSupreme Allied Commander Europe
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chief of Staff of the Army
Eighth Army
7th Infantry Division
11th Airborne Division
34th Coast Artillery Brigade
Battles / wars
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit (2)
Other workRockefeller Commission

Lyman Louis Lemnitzer (August 29, 1899 – November 12, 1988) was a United States Army general who served as the fourth chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1960 to 1962. He then served as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1963 to 1969. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lemnitzer was responsible for drafting Operation Northwoods, a proposed plan to create support for military action against Cuba, by orchestrating false flag terrorism acts in the United States.

Early life and education

Lemnitzer at West Point as a Cadet in 1920

Lemnitzer was born on August 29, 1899, in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1917.

He then entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1920 with a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps.[2]

Early career

Lemnitzer graduated from the Coast Artillery School in 1921, and then served at Fort Adams in Rhode Island and in the Philippines. He was an instructor at West Point from 1926 to 1930.

Lemnitzer served again in the Philippines from 1934 to 1935, and graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1936. He was an instructor at the Coast Artillery School, and graduated from the United States Army War College in 1940.

At the start of World War II Lemnitzer served with the 70th Coast Artillery Regiment and then the 38th Coast Artillery Brigade. In May 1941, Lemnitzer, then a colonel, was assigned to the War Plans Division of the Army staff, and then to the staff of the Army Ground Forces.

World War II

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer with his personal M-16 rifle. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, General Lemnitzer preferred to use an M-16 as his personal firearm, rather than an M1911 semi-automatic pistol which was the standard firearms for general officers.[3]

Lemnitzer was promoted to brigadier general in June 1942 and commanded the 34th Coast Artillery Brigade. He was subsequently assigned to General Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff, where he helped plan the invasions of North Africa and Sicily and was promoted to major general in November 1944. Lemnitzer was one of the senior officers sent to negotiate the Italian fascist surrender during the secret Operation Sunrise and the German surrender in 1945.

Postwar career

Following the end of World War II, Lemnitzer was assigned to the Strategic Survey Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was later named deputy commandant of the National War College. In 1950, at the age of 51, Lemnitzer took parachute training and was placed in command of the 11th Airborne Division. He was assigned to Korea in command of the 7th Infantry Division in November 1951 and was promoted to lieutenant general in August 1952.

Recently appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer with the outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Nathan F. Twining and Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gates Jr.

Lemnitzer was promoted to the rank of general and named commander-in-chief of Far East Command and of the Eighth Army in March 1955. He was the final officer to hold the title of Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers which oversaw the postwar occupation of Japan. He was appointed vice chief of staff of the Army in June 1957, chief of staff of the Army in July 1959. He was appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 1960 allowing to remain on active duty despite having reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. As chairman, Lemnitzer was involved in the Bay of Pigs crisis and the early years of United States involvement in the Vietnam War. He was also required to testify before the United States Senate Foreign Affairs Committee about his knowledge of the activities of Major General Edwin Walker, who had been dismissed from the Army over alleged attempts to promote his political beliefs in the military.

As chairman, Lemnitzer approved the plans known as Operation Northwoods in 1962, a proposed plan to discredit the Castro regime and create support for military action against Cuba by orchestrating false flag acts of terrorism and developing "a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington". Lemnitzer presented the plans to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara on March 13, 1962. It is unclear how McNamara reacted, but three days later President John F. Kennedy told the general that there was no chance that the US would take military action against Cuba. Within a few months, after the refusal to endorse Operation Northwoods, Lemnitzer was denied another term as chairman.[4]

In November 1962, Lemnitzer was appointed as commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, which was a positional demotion from being chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His time in command saw the Cyprus crisis of 1963–1964 and the withdrawal of NATO forces from France in 1966. Known somewhat for his eccentric personality, instead of carrying in place a regulation M1911 semi-automatic pistol which was commonly used by general officers, General Lemnitzer preferred to carry a long-barrelled M-16 Rifle as his personal firearm.[5][6] Lemnitzer is the only person to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff and then serve in another U.S. military command after his term as chairman ended.[5][6]

Later life and death

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer with President John F. Kennedy and British Chief of the Defense Staff Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten  in the Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C., on April 11, 1961

Lemnitzer retired from the military in July 1969. His 14-year tenure as a four star general on active duty is the second longest at that rank in the history of the U.S. Army, after General William T. Sherman who held that rank from 1869 to 1884. He was the only person in history to serve as Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and as Supreme Allied Commander for NATO.

General Lemnitzer is one of only four officers in the history of the United States Army to have actively served as a general during three major wars (World War II, Korea and Vietnam). The others were Winfield Scott (War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War), Douglas MacArthur (World War I, World War II and Korea) and Lewis Hershey (World War II, Korea, Vietnam).

In 1975, President Gerald Ford appointed Lemnitzer to the Commission on CIA Activities within the United States, also known as the Rockefeller Commission, to investigate whether the CIA had committed acts that violated US laws, and allegations that E. Howard Hunt and Frank Sturgis (of Watergate fame) were involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Lemnitzer died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on November 12, 1988, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.[1] His wife, Katherine Tryon Lemnitzer (1901–1994), is buried with him.

Awards and decorations

Lemnitzer was awarded numerous military awards and decorations[7] including but not limited to:

Distinguished Rifleman
Basic Parachutist Badge
SACEUR badge
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit Degree of Officer
Legion of Merit Degree of Legionnaire
Presidential Medal of Freedom (Awarded by President Reagan, June 23, 1987)
World War I Victory Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with two campaign stars)
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal with "Germany" clasp
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Korean Service Medal (with two service stars)
Foreign decorations
Grand Cross of the Légion d'Honneur (France)
Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Italy (Italy)
Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy (Italy)
Dutch Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Orange-Nassau, with Swords (Netherlands)
Grand Officer of the Order of Boyaca (Colombia)
Grand Cordon First Class of the Order of the Rising Sun (Japan)
Grand Officer of the Order of Military Merit (Brazil)
Order of Military Merit Teaguk (Korea)
Gold star
 Order of Military Merit Teaguk with Gold Star (Korea)
Silver star
 Order of National Security Merit Gugseon with Silver Star (Korea)
Gold Cross of Merit with Swords (Poland)
Philippine Legion of Honor, Chief Commander
Knight Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (Thailand)
Royal Order of the White Eagle, Class II (Yugoslavia)
Grand Star of Military Merit (Chile)
Order of Menelik II (Ethiopia)
Grand-Cross of the Portuguese Order of Aviz[8]
Honorary Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (Great Britain)
Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Great Britain)
Croix de Guerre with bronze Palm (France)
Bundeswehr Cross of Honour in Gold (Germany)
Medal for Military Merit, First Class (Czechoslovakia)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
United Nations Korea Medal
Medalha de Guerra (Brazil)
Korean War Service Medal

Lemnitzer was a Freemason.[citation needed]

Dates of rank

Insignia Rank Component Date
No insignia Cadet United States Military Academy June 14, 1918
Second Lieutenant Regular Army July 2, 1920
First Lieutenant Regular Army June 9, 1925
Captain Regular Army August 1, 1935
Major Regular Army July 1, 1940
Lieutenant Colonel Army of the United States December 11, 1941
Colonel Army of the United States June 11, 1942
Brigadier General Army of the United States June 25, 1942
Lieutenant Colonel Regular Army July 2, 1943
Major General Army of the United States May 7, 1944
Brigadier General Regular Army January 24, 1948
Major General Regular Army August 6, 1951
Lieutenant General Army of the United States August 1, 1952
General Army of the United States March 25, 1955
General Retired List June 30, 1969

[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Funeral slated Tuesday for World War II hero". Scrantonion Tribune. Washington. November 14, 1988. pp. 1, 13. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VI-B: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 2148. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Rearden, Steven L. (2012). Council of war : a history of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. NDU Press for the Joint History Office, Office of the Director, Joint Staff, Joint Chiefs of Staff. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-78039-886-0.
  4. ^ ABC News: U.S. Military Wanted to Provoke War With Cuba
  5. ^ a b Perry, Mark (1989). Four stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-395-42923-5. OCLC 18744815.
  6. ^ a b Council of War: A History of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1942-1991. Military Bookshop. 1991. ISBN 978-1780398877.
  7. ^ "Richard Nixon: Remarks on Presenting the Distinguished Service Medals of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to General Lyman L. Lemnitzer. – July 11th, 1969". Archived from the original on January 21, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
  8. ^ "Cidadãos Estrangeiros Agraciados com Ordens Portuguesas". Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  9. ^ Official Register of Commissioned Officers the United States Army, 1948. pg. 1068.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lyman Lemnitzer.
Military offices
Preceded by Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army
1957–1959 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the United States Army
1959–1960
Preceded by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1960–1962 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Supreme Allied Commander Europe (NATO)
1963–1969 		Succeeded by
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