Robert Homer Soule
Major General, U.S. Army

Robert Homer Soule was born on 10 February 1900 in Laramie, WY, the son of Justus Freeland and Dora Simpson Soule.

During World War II, then-Colonel Robert Homer Soule commanded the 188th Glider Regiment, 11th Airborne Division, in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 1943-45.

On 3 February 1945, in action against enemy forces in the Far East, COL Soule's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Later in 1945, then-Brigadier General Soule served as Assistant Commanding General, 38th Division and, in 1946, as Assistant Commanding General of 11th Airborne Division.

From 1946 to 1950, BG Soule was Military Attaché to Nationalist China.

During the period 1-24 December 1950, Major General Soule was serving as Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in North Korea. Assigned the mission of covering the withdrawal of those elements of the X Corps in the Chosin Reservoir and Hagaru-ri areas, MG Soule displayed sound judgment, high professional skill and untiring energy in directing the operations of his Division. Although faced with a numerically superior force, freezing temperatures, and an aggressive enemy, MG Soule's actions enabled the successful withdrawal of the entire First Marine Division and elements of the Seventh Infantry Division. MG Soule then continued his covering mission so successfully that the enemy was continuously beaten back from the beachhead, allowing a complete and orderly withdrawal of all units of X Corps from the Hungnam area with a minimum loss of personnel and equipment. MG Soule's continued presence at the front under bitter conditions and while ignoring being under the continuous small arms and automatic weapons fire, was an inspiration to his men during this historic operation. MG Soule's actions earned him a second award (Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) of the Distinguished Service Cross.

Following Korea, MG Soule was assigned as Inspector of Infantry, Army Field Forces, at Fort Monroe, VA. On 26 January 1952, he died of a heart attack.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Legion of Merit with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Purple Heart
Air Medal with Award Numeral 3
Army Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
American Defense Service Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge
Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation Synopsis (1st of 2 Awards)

Colonel (Infantry) Robert H. Soule (ASN: 0-11888), United States Army, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 188th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 3 February 1945. Colonel Soule's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 110 (1945)

Distinguished Service Cross Citation (2nd of 2 Awards)

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Robert H. Soule (ASN: 0-11888), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding General of the 3d Infantry Division. Major General Soule distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in North Korea, during the period 1 through 24 December 1950. Assigned the mission of covering the withdrawal of those elements of the X Corps in the Chosin Reservoir and Hagaru-ri areas, General Soule displayed sound judgment, high professional skill and untiring energy in directing the operations of his division. Although faced with a numerically superior force, freezing temperatures, and an aggressive foe, General Soule's actions enabled the successful withdrawal of the entire FIRST Marine Division and elements of the Seventh Infantry Division. Subsequently, General Soule continued his covering mission so successfully that the enemy was continuously beaten back from the beachhead allowing a complete and orderly withdrawal of all units of X Corps from the Hungnam area with a minimum loss of personnel and equipment. His continued presence at the front under bitter conditions with total disregard for his personal safety and under small arms and automatic weapons fire, was an inspiration to his men during this historic operation.

General Orders: Headquarters, X Corps: General Orders No. 72 (December 24, 1950)

Death and Burial

Major General Robert Homer Soule died of a heart attack while on active duty on 26 January 1952. He is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 2, Site E-397 RH.

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