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First Name: Willard

Last Name: Wyman

Birthplace: Augusta, ME, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Gordon



Date of Birth: 21 March 1898

Date of Death: 29 March 1969

Rank: General

Years Served: 1919-1958
Willard Gordon Wyman

   
Graduate, U.S. Military Academy, Class of 1919

Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)
•  Korean War (1950 - 1953)

Biography:

Willard Gordon Wyman
General, U.S. Army

Willard Gordon Wyman was born on 21 March 1898 in Augusta, ME. He attended Bowdoin College in Maine prior to being accepted to the US Military Academy where he graduated with the Class of 1919.

During World War II he served as the Assistant Chief of Staff of IX Corps and, later in 1942, as Deputy Chief of Staff of the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. From 1942 to 1943 he was Deputy Chief of Staff, Allied Forces Headquarters before being assigned as Assistant Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division. He commanded the 71st Infantry Division from 1944 to 1945.

During the Korean War, he commanded IX Corps and, after that assignment, served as Commander-in-Chief, NATO Land Forces South-East Europe from 1952 to 1954. From 1954 to 1955, Wyman commanded the U.S. Sixth Army. His final assignment, from 1956 to 1958, was as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Continental Command.

Wyman retired from the Army in 1958.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device
Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Brigadier General Willard Gordon Wyman (ASN: 0-12356), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-le-Mer, France. At a time when the heavy rifle, machine gun, artillery and rocket fire of the enemy seriously threatened the invasion effort on this part of the beach. Brigadier General Wyman came ashore directly behind the leading wave of troops. Due to enemy action, many organizational leaders had become casualties. With disregard for his own personal safety, Brigadier General Wyman moved up and down the fire-swept beach personally directing the movement of the men and the vehicles which had landed. Under his direction the men were reorganized and successfully assaulted the enemy positions. The gallantry and outstanding leadership displayed by Brigadier General Wyman exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

Death and Burial

General Willard Gordon Wyman died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, on 29 March 1969. He was 71. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 30. His wife Ethel Megginson Wyman (1896-1986) is buried next to him.



Honoree ID: 366   Created by: MHOH

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