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William Howard Arnold (general)

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William Howard Arnold
Arnold as commander of the (Americal) Division in World War II
BornJanuary 18, 1901 (1901-01-18)
Dyersburg, Tennessee, US
DiedSeptember 30, 1976 (1976-10-01) (aged 75)
Lake Forest, Illinois, US
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1924–1961
RankLieutenant general
Commands
Battles / wars
Awards

William Howard Arnold (January 18, 1901 – September 30, 1976) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

Early life

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At West Point in 1924

Arnold was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee on January 18, 1901.[1] In 1924 he graduated from the United States Military Academy.[2]

Early career

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Assigned to the Infantry, Arnold served in assignments throughout the United States. In 1928 he graduated from the Infantry Officer Course.[3] From 1928 to 1930 he was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.[4]

Arnold was assigned as Training and Operations Officer, S-3, for the 15th Infantry Regiment in Tientsin, China from 1934 to 1936.[5]

In 1938 he graduated from the Command and General Staff College.[6]

World War II

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From 1942 to 1943 Arnold was Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Operations, G-3, of the IV Corps, headquartered at Fort Lewis, Washington.[7]

Arnold was promoted to brigadier general in September, 1943 and assigned as Chief of Staff of the XIV Corps, supervising the planning and execution of combat operations in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville.[8]

Arnold was promoted to major general in November, 1944 and assigned to command the 23rd (Americal) Infantry Division. He served until the division was deactivated in December, 1945, leading it during combat operations in the Southern Philippines. In August, 1945 Arnold accepted the surrender of the Japanese occupying Cebu Island.[9]

Post-World War II

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Arnold continued his Army service after the war. From 1950 to 1952 he served as commander of the Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey (JMMAT).[10]

In 1953 Arnold was assigned as commander, of U.S. Forces Austria, receiving promotion to lieutenant general and serving until 1955.[11]

Arnold was named commander of the 5th United States Army headquartered in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, where he served until his 1961 retirement.[12][13][14]

Awards and decorations

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Arnold's grave at Fort Sheridan National Cemetery

General Arnold's honors included multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal including two for World War II, the Silver Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and the Air Medal.[15][16][17]

Family, retirement, and death

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With his wife, Elizabeth Welsh (Mullen), he was the father of nuclear fuel executive William Howard Arnold, Colonel Joseph Coleman Arnold,(1964 USMA), Elizabeth A Dallman, Emily A Clancy, and the grandfather of Nobel Prize-winning scientist and engineer Frances Arnold.[18]

In retirement Arnold remained in the Chicago area. He died in Lake Forest, Illinois on September 30, 1976.[19][20] He is buried at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, next to his wife Elizabeth (1905–1976), who was named a Grand Cross Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 1955.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C., published by U.S. House Committee on Government Operations, 1963, page 136
  2. ^ Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, published by the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates, 1930, page 1826
  3. ^ U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1946, page 24
  4. ^ Who Was Who In America: With World Notables, published by Marquis Who's Who, 1993, page 17
  5. ^ The United States 15th Infantry Regiment in China, 1912-1938, by Alfred E. Cornebise, 2004, page 217
  6. ^ U.S. Army Register, 1946
  7. ^ Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.
  8. ^ The Chicago Assembly, January 5–6, 1956, published by Rand McNally & Company, 1956, page 26
  9. ^ Center of Military History Publication 72-40, Southern Philippines: The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II
  10. ^ Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.
  11. ^ Waltzing Into the Cold War: the Struggle for Occupied Austria, James Jay Carafano, 2002, p. 173
  12. ^ "Arnold, Chief In Austria, To Head 5th Army; He'll Succeed Gen. Gay in Chicago Office", Chicago Tribune, p. 26. WAugust 14, 1955. Retrieves April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Gen. Arnold Soon to Doff His Uniform; Retirement Will End 36 Year Career" Chicago Tribune, p. 46. September 26, 1960. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "5th Army Gets A New Boss on Wednesday; Lt. Gen. Cummings To Be Sworn In", Chicago Tribune, p. 30. January 29, 1961. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Midwest Engineer, published by Western Society of Engineers, Chicago, volumes 11 to 13, 1958, page 9
  16. ^ U.S. Army Register, 1946
  17. ^ Military Times, Hall of Valor, Recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Medal
  18. ^ Memorial Tributes. 2017. doi:10.17226/24773. ISBN 978-0-309-45928-0.
  19. ^ "Gen. W.H. Arnold, 75, WW II Leader Dies", The New York Times, p. 95. October 1, 1976. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  20. ^ "Gen. W. H. Arnold dies; fought in South Pacific", Chicago Tribune, p. 45. October 1, 1976. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ “Fünfzig Jahre und mehr”, Ritterorden vom Heiligen Grab zu Jerusalem, Festschrift 2004, p 40
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Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General Americal Division
1944–1945 		Succeeded by
Post deactivated
Preceded by Commanding General Fifth United States Army
1955–1960 		Succeeded by
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