Alfred Gruenther
Alfred Maximilian Gruenther ( born March 3 1899 in Platte Center, Nebraska; † 30 May 1983; Washington, DC) was a general of the U.S. Army, Supreme Allied Commander Europe third of NATO and Commander of the U.S. European Command from 1953 to 1956.
Military career
Gruenther visited the Saint Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, graduating in 1917 as a fourth of his class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Between 1941 and 1953, served as chief of staff Gruenther of the 3rd U.S. Army, the U.S. 5th Army, 15th U.S. Army, and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe ( SHAPE). As a protégé of General Dwight D. Eisenhower Gruenther during World War II as chief planner of the Allied invasion of North Africa ( Operation Torch ) in 1942 was used. Then he was again involved in the planning for the invasion of Italy in 1943.
After the Second World War in 1945 Gruenther deputy commanding general of U.S. forces in Austria. On 11 July 1953 he took over the command of NATO High Command Europe as Supreme Allied Commander Europe and third at the same time also stationed in Europe U.S. troops as commander of the U.S. European Command. After three years, on 20 November 1956 Gruenther handing over control to Lauris Norstad and went into retirement. However, this retirement meant only his retirement from the military, since 1957, he was appointed President of the American Red Cross. He held until 1964 this position.
Alfred Maximilian Gruenther died on 30 May 1983 in Washington ( DC) and his wife Grace E. Gruenther ( November 23, 1897 - MAY 18, 1979) buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Honors
- Army Distinguished Service Medal (4 x)
- Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1956 )
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic