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Gen. Joseph Warren Stilwell

United States Army
March 19, 1883(1883-03-19) – October 12, 1946 (aged 63)

Gen. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Joseph Warren Stilwell, U. S. A.
Nickname "Vinegar Joe," "Uncle Joe," "Old Two Shirts. "
Place of birth Palatka, Florida
Place of death San Francisco, California
Allegiance Flag of the United States United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1904-1946
Rank General
Commands held 7th Infantry Division
China Burma India Theater
Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC)
Army Ground Forces
U.S. Tenth Army
U.S. Sixth Army
Western Defense Command
Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Other work Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek

General Joseph Warren Stilwell (March 19, 1883 – October 12, 1946) was a United States Army four-star general best-known for his service in China and Burma. Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10033 at the 2000 census The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The 7th Infantry Division, nicknamed Lightfighters or Bayonet was an infantry division of the United States Army. China Burma India Theater (CBI (later IBT or India-Burma theater was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjuction with Allied air The Northern Combat Area Command or NCAC was a mainly Sino-American formation that held the northern end of the Allied front in Burma during World War II The Army Ground Forces was one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the United States The Tenth United States Army was the last army level command established in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The Sixth United States Army was a Field army of the United States Army World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, awarded for extreme This article concerns the United States Army Distinguished Service Medal The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding Generalissimo or Generalissimus is a military rank of the highest degree superior to a Field Marshal or Grand Admiral. Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. For his purported concern for the average soldier and forthright manner, he was nicknamed "Uncle Joe" and "Vinegar Joe. "

Contents

Early life

Stilwell was born 19 March 1883 in Palatka, Florida of patrician Yankee stock. Events 1279 - A Mongolian victory in the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China. Year 1883 ( MDCCCLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Palatka is a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. The population was 10033 at the 2000 census The term Yankee, sometimes abbreviated to Yank, has a few related meanings often referring to someone of U [1] His parents were Doctor Benjamin Stilwell and Mary A. A physician, medical practitioner or medical doctor who practices Medicine, and is concerned with maintaining or restoring human Health Peene. Stilwell was an eighth generation descendant of an English colonist who arrived in America in 1638, whose descendants remained in New York up through the birth of Stilwell's father. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous [2] Named for a family friend, as well as the doctor who delivered him, Joseph Stilwell, known as Warren by his family, grew up in New York, under a strict regimen from his father that included an emphasis on religion. Stilwell later admitted to his daughter that he picked up criminal instincts due to,". . . being forced to go to Church and Sunday School, and seeing how little real good religion does anybody, I advise passing them all up and using common sense instead. "[3]

Stilwell's rebellious attitude led him to a record of unruly behavior once he reached a post-graduate level at Yonkers High School. Yonkers High School, New York is an IB School The International Baccalaureate is a highly regarded curriculum program that allows students to study anywhere in the Prior to this last year, Stilwell had performed meticulously in his classes, and had participated actively in Football (as quarterback) and Track. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with Quarterback ( QB) is a position in American and Canadian football. [4] Under the discretion of his father, Stilwell was placed into a post-graduate course following graduation, and immediately formed a group of friends whose activities ranged from card playing to stealing the desserts from the senior dance in 1900. This last event, in which an administrator was punched, led to the expulsions and suspensions for Stilwell's friends. Stilwell, meanwhile, having already graduated, was once again by his father's guidance, sent to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, rather than to proceed to Yale University as originally planned. "USMA" redirects here For other uses see USMA (disambiguation The United States Military Academy (also known as USMA, [5]

Despite missing the deadline to apply for Congressional appointment to the military academy, Stilwell gained entry through the use of family connections who knew President William McKinley. William McKinley Jr ( January 29, 1843 September 14, 1901) was the twenty-fifth President of the United States, and the last In his first year, Stilwell underwent hazing as a plebe that he referred to as "hell. Hazing is an often Ritualistic test and a task which may constitute Harassment, Abuse or Humiliation with requirements to perform random often Plebs were the general body of landowners of Roman Citizens in Ancient Rome. "[6] While at West Point, Stilwell showed an aptitude for languages, such as French, in which he ranked first in his class during his second year. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people In the field of sports, Stilwell is credited with introducing basketball to the Academy, and participating in cross-country running (as Captain), as well as playing on the varsity football team. Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m Cross Country running is a Sport of running Compete to complete a course over open or rough terrain faster than other teams In the United States and Canada, varsity sports teams are the principal athletic teams representing a College, University, High At West Point he had two demerits for laughing during drill. Ultimately, Stilwell graduated from the academy ranked 32nd in a class of 124 cadets. [7]

Military career

Stilwell later taught at West Point, and attended the Infantry Advanced Course and the Command and General Staff College. The Command and General Staff College ( C&GSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a United States Army facility that functions as a Graduate school During World War I, he was the U. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All S. Fourth Corps intelligence officer and helped plan the St. Mihiel offensive. The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12 - 15 1918 involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48000 French He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service in France. The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious

Stilwell is often remembered by his sobriquet, "Vinegar Joe", which he acquired while a commander at Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southwest The State of Georgia ( is a state in the United States and was one of the original Thirteen Colonies that revolted against British rule Stilwell often gave harsh critiques of performance in field exercises, and a subordinate - stung by Joe's acidity - drew a caricature of Stilwell rising out of a vinegar bottle. After discovering the caricature, Stilwell pinned it to a board and had the drawing photographed and distributed to friends. [8]

Between the wars, Stilwell served three tours in China, where he became fluent in Chinese, and was the military attaché at the United States Embassy from 1935 to 1939. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National In 1939 and 1940 he served in the 2nd Infantry Division and from 1940 to 1941 organized and trained the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, California. The 2nd Infantry Division is a formation of the United States Army. The 7th Infantry Division, nicknamed Lightfighters or Bayonet was an infantry division of the United States Army. Fort Ord was a US Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. It was there that his leadership style - which emphasized concern for the average soldier and minimized ceremonies and officious discipline - earned him the nickname of “Uncle Joe. ”

Just prior to World War II, Stilwell was recognized as the top corps commander in the Army and was initially selected to plan and command the Allied invasion of North Africa. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including [9] However, when it became necessary to send a senior officer to China to keep that country in the War, Stilwell was selected, over his personal objections, by President Franklin Roosevelt and his old friend, Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall. George Catlett Marshall Jr (December 31 1880 &ndash October 16 1959 was an American military leader Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of He became the Chief of Staff to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, served as the commander of the China Burma India Theater responsible for all Lend-Lease supplies going to China, and later was Deputy Commander of the South East Asia Command. Generalissimo or Generalissimus is a military rank of the highest degree superior to a Field Marshal or Grand Admiral. Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash China Burma India Theater (CBI (later IBT or India-Burma theater was the name used by the United States Army for its forces operating in conjuction with Allied air Lend-Lease (Public Law 77-11 was the name of the program under which the United States of America supplied the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, South East Asia Command (SEAC was the body set up to be in overall charge of Allied operations in the South-East Asian Theatre during World War II. Unfortunately, despite his status and position in China, he soon became a pawn in the political game of U. S. Lend-Lease aid and Chinese politics.

Burma

Stilwell with Gen. Frank Merrill in Burma
Stilwell with Gen. Frank Merrill in Burma

Stilwell's post in the China-Burma-India Theater, while a geographical command on the same level as the commands of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur, was a more complicated one due to the lower priority of the Theater for supplies and personnel and the greater need to balance political and military activities. Frank Dow Merrill (December 4 1903 in New Hampshire &ndash – December 11 1955 in Fernandina Beach Florida) is best remembered for his command of Merrill's Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (October 14 1890 – March 28 1969 was President of the United States from 1953 until 1961 and a five-star general General MacArthur redirects here for other meanings see General MacArthur (disambiguation. The British and the Chinese were ill-equipped and more often than not on the receiving end of Japanese offensives. Chiang in particular was interested in hoarding Lend-Lease supplies for later use during the inevitable civil war, which put him directly at odds with Stilwell who wanted to use the supplies to prosecute the war. Chiang's reluctance was reinforced after watching two of his best armies crippled in Burma under foreign control. Furthermore, after fighting and resisting the Japanese for five years, many in the Nationalist government felt that it was time for the Allies to assume a greater burden in fighting the war. [10] However, the first step to fighting the war for Stilwell was the reformation of the Chinese Army. [11] Contrastingly, such a maneuver would have upset the delicate balance of political and military alliances, which kept Chiang in power. Reforming the army meant removing men who maintained Chiang's position on top. [12] While he outwardly gave Stilwell command of some Chinese troops, Chiang preferred that the war in China be fought in the air by General Claire Chennault's air force, something Chennault assured the Generalissimo was feasible. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This, in turn, pushed Chennault and Stilwell into competition for the valuable Lend-Lease supplies arriving over the Himalayas from British-controlled India — an obstacle referred to as "The Hump. The Hump was the name given by Allied pilots in the Second World War to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew from India "[13] George Marshall, in his biennial report covering the period of July 1, 1943 to June 30, 1945, acknowledged he had given Stilwell "one of the most difficult" assignments of any theater commander. George Catlett Marshall Jr (December 31 1880 &ndash October 16 1959 was an American military leader Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of [14]

Arriving in Burma just in time to experience the collapse of the Allied defense of that country, which cut China off from all land and sea supply routes, Stilwell personally led the American forces out of Burma on foot. This courageous walkout from Burma and his bluntly honest assessment of the disaster (he called it "a hell of a beating") captured the imagination of the American public, badly in need of candor and an American hero at that stage of the war.

After the Japanese occupied Burma, China was cut off completely from Allied aid and materiel except through the hazardous route of flying cargo aircraft over the Hump. Early on, the Combined Chiefs of Staff had determined that Allied ground forces would not be sent to China; they realized that there was an inability to support them adequately. The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS was the supreme military command for the Western Allies during World War II. Conceptually, the Allies' strategy was that China would supply the ground forces to fight the Japanese, and the Americans would provide logistical and air support.

Convinced that the Chinese soldier was the equal of any given the proper care and leadership, Stilwell established a training center for two divisions of Chinese troops in India. Stilwell's primary goals were the opening of a land route to China from northern Burma and India, so that greater supplies could be transported to China, and to organize a competent Chinese army that would fight the Japanese. Strategically, this was the only area at that time where the possibility existed for the Allies of engaging large numbers of troops against their common enemy, Japan.

Disagreements with Chiang

Stilwell was constantly embroiled in disagreements with Chiang - whom Stilwell labeled "Peanut" in his official reports - about engaging Chinese forces against the Japanese. Stilwell would press Chiang to fight, while Chiang, with some legitimacy, preferred to preserve a defensive posture for political and military reasons. Chiang was concerned that his troops lacked training and supplies, and he also wanted to keep Chinese Nationalist forces ready to fight the Communists, under Mao Zedong after the end of the war with the Japanese. Communism is a Socioeconomic structure that promotes the establishment of an egalitarian, classless, stateless Society based Mao Zedong ( 26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976) was a Chinese Military and political leader who led Infuriated by what he regarded as Chiang's corruption, incompetence and timidity, Stilwell constantly filed reports to Washington complaining of Chiang's inaction. Eventually, Stilwell’s belief that Chiang and his generals were incompetent and corrupt reached such proportions that Stilwell sought to cut off Lend-Lease aid to China. In his diary, which he faithfully kept, Stilwell began to note the corruption and the amount of money ($380,584,000 in 1944 dollars) being wasted upon the procrastinating Chiang and his government.

For his part, Chiang would actually countermand orders to Chinese units issued by Stilwell in his capacity as Chief of Staff. Chiang demanded impossibly large amounts of supplies before he would agree to take offensive action. Since the amount of supplies that could be transported to China by air were inadequate, Stilwell constantly fought not only Chiang but also the American air forces in China under General Claire Lee Chennault, which demanded large percentages of the supplies for their own operations. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

Stilwell with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Madame Chiang Kai-shek.
Stilwell with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Madame Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash Soong May-ling or Soong Mei-ling, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek ( ca 1897 She was the third of six children she was born in Shanghai

Stilwell was hampered in large part by the rampant corruption of the Chiang regime; often supplies never made it to the conscripts. the Cambridge History of China, for instance, estimates that some 60%-70% of Chiang's Kuomintang conscripts did not make it through their basic training, with some 40% deserting and the remaining 20% dying of starvation before full induction into the military. Similarly, as the war began to wind down much evidence was uncovered to lend credence to Stilwell's accusations; upon completion of the U. S. State Dept White Paper in 1949 on the Chiang regime President Harry Truman reportedly declared "They're all a bunch of damn thieves!" and pulled all economic and military support for the regime, thus leading directly to the KMT downfall and retreat to the island of Formosa. Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia.

Other Conflicts

Stilwell also continually clashed with Field Marshal Archibald Wavell, and apparently came to believe that the British in India were more concerned with protecting their colonial possessions there than helping the Chinese fight the Japanese. Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell 1st Earl Wavell GCB, GCSI, GCIE, CMG, MC, PC (5 May 1883 – 24 May In August 1943, as a result of the feuding and conflicting goals of the British, Americans and Chinese and the lack of coherence of a strategic vision for the China Burma India theater, the Combined Chiefs of Staff split the CBI command into a Chinese theater and a Southeast Asia theater.

With the establishment of the new South East Asia Command in August 1943, Stilwell was appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander under Vice Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten. Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas Mountbatten 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, He built up the Chinese forces for an offensive in northern Burma and on 21 December he assumed direct control of operations to capture the Burmese city of Myitkyina. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Myitkyina ( in English pronounced myiʔʧíná) is the Capital city of Kachin State in Myanmar (formerly Burma located 919 miles from The city did not fall until August 1944. Among other reasons, Stilwell blamed the British Chindits for not obeying his orders promptly enough. The Chindits (Officially in 1942 77th Indian Infantry Brigade and in 1943 Indian 3rd Infantry Division) were a British Indian Army "Special Force" that served When General William Slim, commander of British and Commonwealth forces in Burma, said the men were exhausted and should be withdrawn, Stilwell would not agree until the men had undergone a medical examination. Field Marshal William Joseph "Bill" Slim 1st Viscount Slim, KG, GCB, GCMG, GCVO, GBE, KStJ

One of the most significant conflicts to emerge during the war was between General Stilwell and Claire Chennault, the commander of the famed "Flying Tigers". Chennault commanded the Chinese air force and was very close to the Chiang family, using this personal influence to push his vision of a strictly limited air offensive against the Japanese. Stilwell insisted that the idea was untenable, and that any air campaign should not start until fully fortified air bases supported by large infantry reserves had first been established. Chiang refused, instead following Chennault's advice, thus allowing him to once again hoard supplies and personnel. Consequently, in 1944 the Japanese launched the counter-offensive, Operation Ichi-Go, quickly overrunning the air bases and proving Stilwell correct. Operation Ichi-Go was a campaign of a series of major battles between the Imperial Japanese Army forces and the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of Ironically, however, Chiang manipulated the opportunity to blame Stilwell for the Japanese successes, demanding that the Americans recall him.

Despite these considerable difficulties, Stilwell did manage to lead the Chinese troops and British Imperial troops under his command to shorten the air supply route and finish the Ledo Road, which linked to the northern end of the Burma Road as the primary land supply route to China. Burma and Ledo Road 1944 - 1945jpg|250px|thumb|right|Burma Road and Ledo Road in 1944]]Ledo Burma Roads Assam-Burma-China The Burma Road is a Road linking Burma (also called Myanmar with China. The Ledo Road was later renamed the Stilwell Road in acknowledgment of Stilwell's efforts. Burma and Ledo Road 1944 - 1945jpg|250px|thumb|right|Burma Road and Ledo Road in 1944]]Ledo Burma Roads Assam-Burma-China

Return to United States

In October 1944 Stilwell was relieved of his commands by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He returned unceremoniously to the United States only to be met by two Army generals at the airport, who told him that he was not to answer any media questions about China whatsoever. A presidential election was coming up and Roosevelt did not want to take any unnecessary risks.

In her book Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911-45, Barbara Tuchman wrote that Stilwell was sacrificed as a political expedient due to his inability to get along with his allies in the theater. Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-45 written by Barbara Wertheim Tuchman and published in 1971 by Macmillan Publishers it won the 1972 Barbara Wertheim Tuchman ( January 30, 1912 &ndash February 6, 1989) was an American self-trained Historian and author Stilwell's removal was certainly a result of substantial political pressure by Chiang through diplomatic means and using influential American friends who supported Chiang's government. One such group, informally called the "China Lobby," included Time publisher Henry Luce and his wife Clare Boothe Luce as well as J. In United States Politics, the China lobby refers to any Special interest group acting on behalf of a Chinese government to influence Sino-American Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Henry Robinson Luce ( April 3, 1898 &ndash February 28, 1967) was an influential American publisher Clare Boothe Luce ( 10 April 1903, New York City &ndash 9 October 1987, Washington DC) was an American Edgar Hoover, head of the FBI.

Some historians have theorized that Roosevelt was concerned that Chiang would sign a separate peace with Japan, which would free many Japanese divisions to fight elsewhere, and that Roosevelt wanted to placate Chiang. The power struggle over the China Theater that emerged between Stilwell, Chennault, and Chiang reflected the American political divisions of the time.

A highly different interpretation of events was that Stilwell, pressing for a more full engagement of Chinese forces, had made diplomatic inroads with the Chinese Communist Red Army commanded by Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong ( 26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976) was a Chinese Military and political leader who led He had gotten them to agree to follow an American commander. Because of the displeasure of Chiang Kai-Shek of being bypassed by the American general, he had Stilwell recalled to the United States. New York Times reporter Brooks Atkinson wrote at the time: "The decision to relieve General Stilwell represents the political triumph of a moribund, anti-democratic regime that is more concerned with maintaining its political supremacy than in driving the Japanese out of China. Justin Brooks Atkinson ( November 28, 1894 &ndash January 14, 1984) was an American Theatre Critic. America is now committed. . . to support a regime that has become increasingly unpopular and distrusted in China, that maintains three secret police services and concentration camps for political prisoners, that stifles free speech and resists democratic forces. . . The Chinese Communists. . . have good armies that are now fighting guerrilla warfare against the Japanese in North China. . . The Generalissimo regards these armies as the chief threat to his supremacy. Chiang Kai-shek ( POJ: Chiúⁿ Kài-se̍k Jyutping: zoeng2gaai3sek6 GCB ( October 31, 1887 &ndash . . has made no sincere attempt to arrange at least a truce with them for the duration of the war. . . No diplomatic genius could have overcome the Generalissimo's basic unwillingness to risk his armies in battle with the Japanese. . . "[15]

Reassignment

Despite prompting by the news media, he never complained about his treatment by Washington or by Chiang. He later served as Commander of Army Ground Forces, U.S. Tenth Army Commander in the closing battle for Okinawa in 1945, and as U.S. Sixth Army Commander. The Army Ground Forces was one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the United States The Tenth United States Army was the last army level command established in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. is one of Japan 's southern prefectures, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1000 km long which extends southwest from Kyūshū The Sixth United States Army was a Field army of the United States Army

In November, he was appointed to lead a "War Department Equipment Board" in an investigation of the Army's modernization in light of its recent experience. Among his recommendations was the establishment of a combined arms force to conduct extended service tests of new weapons and equipment and then formulate doctrine for its use, and the abolition of specialized anti-tank units. His most notable recommendation was for a vast improvement of the Army's defenses against all airborne threats, including ballistic missiles. In particular, he called for "guided interceptor missiles, dispatched in accordance with electronically computed data obtained from radar detection stations. "

Stilwell was never troubled by scandal in his private life. Of his disagreements with Chiang Kai-shek and his recall from China he wrote: "The trouble was largely one of posture. I tried to stand on my feet instead of my knees. I did not think the knee position was a suitable one for Americans. " His trademarks were an old campaign hat, GI shoes, and no insignia of rank, portraying himself as a sort of "Soldiers' General. " Despite this, he has been criticized for providing inadequate support and recognition to GIs of Merrill's Marauders operating in Burma. Merrill’s Marauders, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (provisional, was a United States Long range penetration Special forces unit

Stilwell died of stomach cancer on 12 October 1946 at the Presidio of San Francisco, while still on active duty. Stomach or gastric cancer can develop in any part of the Stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs particularly the Esophagus and Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Presidio of San Francisco (originally El Presidio Real de San Francisco or Royal Presidio of San Francisco) is a park on the northern tip of the San His ashes were scattered on the Pacific Ocean, and a cenotaph was placed at the West Point Cemetery. A cenotaph is a tomb or a Monument erected in honour of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere West Point Cemetery is an historic Cemetery on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point New York. Among his military decorations are the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit degree of Commander, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge (this last award given to him as he was dying from stomach cancer). The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, awarded for extreme The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States of America military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious An oak leaf cluster or oakleaves is a common device which is placed on U The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery acts of merit or meritorious service The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB is an award of the United States Army which is presented to those officers warrant officers and enlisted soldiers in the grade

Stilwell’s home, built in 1933-1934 on Carmel Point, Carmel, California, remains a private home with a plaque in front identifying it as the general's home. Carmel-by-the-Sea, usually called simply Carmel, is a small town endowed with a rich artistic history situated on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey A number of streets, buildings, and areas across the country have been named for Stilwell over the years, including Joseph Stilwell Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida. The Soldiers’ Club he envisioned in 1940 (a time when there was no such thing as a soldiers’ club in the Army) was completed in 1943 at Fort Ord on the bluffs overlooking Monterey Bay. This article is about the bay near Monterey CA For other uses see Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State University Monterey Bay Many years later the building was renamed “Stilwell Hall” in his honor, but because of the erosion of the bluffs over the decades, the building was taken down in 2003.

Stillwell was portrayed on film by John Hoyt in Samuel Fuller's Merrill's Marauders (1962) and by Robert Stack in Steven Spielberg's 1941 (1979). John Hoyt ( October 5, 1905 &ndash September 15, 1991) was an American film theatre and television actor See Samuel Fuller (Mayflower physician for the Mayflower doctor Merrill's Marauders is a 1962 Cinemascope War film directed and co-written by Samuel Fuller based on the exploits of the Robert Langford Modini Stack ( January 13, 1919 &ndash May 14, 2003) was an Emmy Award -winning and Academy Award - nominated Steven Allan Spielberg, KBE (Hon (born December 18 1946 is an American Film director, Screenwriter and producer. 1941 is Steven Spielberg 's fourth theatrical film written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.

On August 24, 2000, the United States Postal Service issued a 10¢ postage stamp honoring Stilwell.

The Ledo Road was later renamed the Stilwell Road in acknowledgment of Stilwell's efforts. Burma and Ledo Road 1944 - 1945jpg|250px|thumb|right|Burma Road and Ledo Road in 1944]]Ledo Burma Roads Assam-Burma-China

The award for the Outstanding Overall Cadet, Senior Division, in the California Cadet Corps is named the General Joseph W. The California Cadet Corps (CACC is a Paramilitary youth organization in California open for students in the High school, Middle school and Stilwell Award. [16]

Awards and decorations

See also

References

Further reading

Notes

  1. ^ Barbara Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911 - 45 (New York, New York: Macmillan Co. , 1971), 10.
  2. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience, 9.
  3. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience, 11.
  4. ^ Tuchman, 11.
  5. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience, 12.
  6. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience, 12 - 13.
  7. ^ Tuchamn, Stilwell and the American Experience, 15.
  8. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience in China 1911-45, pg 125
  9. ^ Barbara Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience in China, 1911 - 45 (New York, New York: Macmillan Co. , 1971), p. 231 - 232.
  10. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience, p. 303.
  11. ^ Tuchman, Stilwell and the American Experience in China, p. 304.
  12. ^ Tuchman, p. 306.
  13. ^ Tuchman, p. 307.
  14. ^ Eldridge, p. 160.
  15. ^ "Crisis", Time magazine quoting the New York Times, 1944-11-13. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1002 - English king Ethelred orders the killing of all Danes in England, known today as the St Retrieved on 2007-03-02. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good  
  16. ^ Cadet Regulation 1-1, Cadet Decorations and Awards, 20 February 2006. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Available from http://cacc.cadet.org
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