of the George C. Marshall The George Washington of the 20th Century By LTC David Saltman, ADS (Ret)

General ofthe Army George Catlett Marshall, 1880-1959

Photo credit: George C. Marshall Foundation

Reprinted from: Review / December 1995 Distributed by the George C. Marshall Foundation P.O. Drawer 1600, Lexington, Virginia 24450 Fax: 5404645229 5404637103 his men. A great leader overcomes General of the Army George C. Marshall all difficulties, for campaigns and battles are nothing more than a The George Washington of the long series of difficulties to be over­ come .... The power of an army 20th Century cannot be measured in mere num­ bers. It is based on a high state of by discipline and training, on readiness LTC David Saltman, AUS (Ret) to carry out its mission whenever the -in-Chief and Congress Prologue many changes in the curriculum. He decide. Any compromise of these kept a careful record of those officers requirements minimizes the effec­ George Marshall and George Wash­ he considered the most capable. tiveness of our military power. We ington have much in common: neither Among his students were 150 future are always in need of leaders. one is fully understood by the general of World War II and an Marshall was transferred to Wash­ population. In the Revolutionary War, additional 50 who became instruc­ ington in 1938. His brilliant work as George Washington was appointed a tors. Hundreds more were field Chief of War Plans and Deputy General by Congress to command a rebel grade officers. He identified talented Chief of in 1938-1939 convinced army of citizen- in 1775. At officers, helped train and educate President Franklin D. Roosevelt that war's end in 1783, he resigned his com­ them, then saw to their promotion Marshall was the most qualified mission to retire to his home in Mount several years later. Marshall ,was a leader who could meet the great mil­ Vernon, VA. He was unanimously elect­ shrewd judge of character and capa­ itary challenges of war. ed president of the United States in bility, who later picked for high On September 1, 1939 he was 1789 and served two terms until 1797. command those whose characteris­ appointed Army Chief of Staff, He was a brilliant leader in war and tics were passionate devotion to the by coincidence the day that Hitler peace, serving his country with professional mastery of their sub­ invaded Poland-the day that unselfish patriotism, He died in 1799, jects, tactics, strategy and logistics. marked the beginning of World One and one-half centuries later, in Among his greatest assets were his War II. Marshall's keen mind World War II, history repeated itself. high standards, his integrity, concen­ absorbed endless detail that he could trating always on the task at hand; recall at will. His testimony before his selfcontrol, exceptional patrio­ Congress was straightforward, never tism and profound humility. making false statements to accom­ eorge Marshall was born at Marshall's insight was extraordi­ plish his goals. Uniontown, PA, December nary. Using his talents as a teacher, In 1939 the Army had a peacetime G 31, 1880. He attended Virginia he insisted that officers study the force of less than 200,000 men, rank­ Military Institute, excelled in leader­ first six months of a war when arms ing it seventeenth among the world's ship and became First dur­ and men are lacking, versus the clos­ armed forces. At its peak, this force ing the 1900-1901 school year. He ing phases when supplies and grew to over eight million in World graduated from the VMI Class of troops are plentiful. Before he went War II. The awesome task of enlist­ 1901 and was commissioned a to Washington in 1938 as Chief of ing personnel and the vast war Second Lieutentant with a date of War Plans, he had learned much materiel needed to equip an army rank of February 2, 1901. about the supervision and training (including air force units which were In World War I he, saw men of the citizen-soldiers who were in an army responsibility, initially), is a shipped overseas with no field train­ the National Guard and the Reserve. great tribute to the outstanding lead­ ing and vowed that this must never He knew well the importance of ership of George Marshall. happen again. He fumed because integrating them with the Regular In the Spring of 1940, Treasury bravery was recognized only after forces in time of war. Secretary Henry Morgenthau was so long delays. He insisted that the As outstanding leaders, both impressed by Marshall's outline of value of medals and battlefield pro­ George Marshall and George Wash­ America's defense needs that he motions lay in prompt recognition as ington had learned how to challenge brought him to see the President. a model of leadership and valor for men to give their best. They set an Roosevelt said he was not ready to all to see. As Chief of Operations of example by their own zeal and dedi­ pressure Congress. Marshall walked First U.S. Army, he gained wide cation. Both encouraged subordi­ over to the President and asked for recognition for his role in preparing nates to be independent and creative. three minutes of his time. The presi­ the Meuse-Argonne offensive. From They asked questions and were good dent listened intently to the list 1919 to 1924 he was Aide-de-Camp listeners. Said Marshall: "Soldiers of critical requirements outlined by to General John J. Pershing, giving will tolerate almost anything in Marshall, who concluded: "Mr. him valuable military education an officer except unfairness and President, if you do not do some­ which he utilized effectively at the ignorance." thing immediately, I greatly fear Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA At the Infantry what will happen to this country." from 1927-1932. School, Marshall emphasized that The President was convinced During his tour at Fort Benning he good leadership requires an officer and asked Congress for a billion­ became and made to have the complete respect of dollar budget.

6 Officer Review/December 1995 In World War II General Marshall told his wife. "I cannot allow myself He was persuasive with Congress was a global commander, in charge to get angry for it is too exhausting. on extension of the draft, with peri­ of ground and air forces in nine the­ My brain must remain clear at all odic requests for enormous appro­ aters throughout the world. His times." priations as the army expanded. His many burdens included persuading In order to maintain high morale, presence was awe-inspiring. He had Congress to appropriate funds for he established Post Exchanges to an unwavering commitment to the ever-increasing manpower and keep up with the troops overseas. He supremacy of national over personal materiel, as well as influencing directed that hot Thanksgiving interests, the ability to delegate industry leaders to keep pace with turkey dinners be supplied to all authority while accepting full re­ the ever-expanding military needs. troops even in the front lines. ("I was sponsibility, a combination of dignity He spent six long years as the archi­ a beneficiary of this legacy on and humility. tect and builder of the most power­ Thanksgiving 1944, pleasantly sur­ By 1943, the problem arose of who ful army in American history. prised to eat a hot turkey dinner in would be overall commander in Marshall's dedication to his coun­ my mess kit, while standing up in Europe, which entailed the cross­ try above all else is a model of lead~ a German pillbox we had captured Channel invasion of . This ership at its best. Old friends were earlier.") was a position that Marshall would bypassed if they could not meet his People were at ease in his presence have relished, but he left that critical stringent high standards of building because he did not talk down to any­ decision to President Roosevelt. Said the best fighting force possible. one. He listened attentively to all the the President: "I feel I could not This regrettable situation occurred essential facts before he reached a sleep at night with you out of the because older officers never had the conclusion or announced a decision. country." After this remark, General opportunity to handle large units of He never tried to impress anyone for Marshall made two important deci­ size or higher. 'Many suf­ he inspired the confidence of a sions: General Dwight Eisenhower fered physical exhaustion, a serious leader. One of Marshall's strong would be the supreme commander defect of the function of command. principles: "Leadership requires tak­ in Europe and General Douglas Said Marshall: "Leadership in the ing responsibility, not asserting rank MacArthur would be the supreme field depends on strong physical sta­ and privilege". commander in the Pacific. mina, the ability to withstand hard­ House Speaker Sam Rayburn tells General Marshall wrote to each ship and lack of s~eep, yet have why General Marshall had so much parent or wife when a man was enough energy to command and influence and respect from Congress. killed in World War II. Toward the dominate men on the battlefield." "When General Marshall takes the end of the war he sent printed cards As Chief of Staff he made constant witness stand to testify, we forget personally. This was a man of visits to his troops and made lists of whether we are Republicans or unusual character, who cared about those items that needed correction. Democrats. We know we are in the t1le smaller details as well as the big Such mundane things as shortages of presence of a man who is telling the ones because he considered all of shoes, blankets, hospital supplies, truth about the problem he is them important. laundry facilities or whatever were discussing." The alliance between Roosevelt targeted for immediate action. His concern for the morale of his troops came first, even while handling a global war. He was convinced that men fought better if they understood why they were in the service and what they were contributing to the nation's defense. "Morale wins the victory because it provides courage and hope, confidence and loyalty. It is the esprit de ." In the new army, where millions of citizens were called into the service, respect for leadership rather than fear motivat­ ed the new citizen- to seek a greater leadership role. Within a month of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, officer candi­ date schools were established for all branches of the Army. In bearing the burden of enlarging manpower and materiel on two fronts, he set rigid standards for Generals Eisenhower, Marshall and Arnold leave a DUKWamphibious 2.5-ton himself. "I cannot afford the luxury truck to visit American installations in Normandy, 12 June 1944. of sentiment-that is for others" he Credit: The George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia

Officer Review/December 1995 7 and Marshall was unbreakable. prepare for tomorrow. President Harry Truman shared Marshall had become very effective 3. A successful officer should show Churchill's admiration for Marshall in his dealings with Congress. loyalty to his chiefs. In your efforts when he stated: "To my mind, Although Commander-in-Chief of to carry out their plans orpolicies, General George Marshall typifies the armed forces, Roosevelt relied the less you approve, the more George Washington in many ways heavily on General Marshall as the energy you must direct to their as a man of great personal force, architect and chief strategistof the accomplishment. intellect, vision and inborn leader­ war. When Roosevelt died in April 4. The more alarming the reports ship. He, in his own way, rates the 1945, his successor, President Harry and conditions viewed in battle, distinction of being first in war, first Truman was keenly aware of the more determined should be in peace, and first in his role of help­ Marshall's military and adminis­ your attitude. Never ask for relief ing to rebuild and reshape the post­ trative genius. Among all the British of your unit and never hesitate to war free world." and U.S. Chiefs of Staff, Marshall attack. General Marshall's service to his was the leading figure in develop­ Although General Marshall left his country was a lifelong period of ing a global force, in sharing re­ post as Army Chief of Staff in Nov­ leadership and devotion that clearly sources and production with allied ember 1945, one month later Presi­ marks him as the most outstanding forces around the world. Winston dent Truman needed his services American of the 20th Century. In Churchill's tribute is as follows: and sent him to as his official 1953 he received the Nobel Peace "During my long and close ambassador. When he returned a Prize, a great international tribute to association with successive year later, in 1947, he was appointed the first military man in history to American administrations, there Secretary of State. In 1949 at the age receive such a distinctive award. are few men whose qualities of of 68, he was still in the service of General of the Army George C. mind and character have his country. Marshall died on October 16, 1959 at impressed me so deeply. He While Secretary of State, Marshall the age of 78. His legacy of leader­ was a great American, wise made a speech at Harvard Uni­ ship continues on. Every year the in war, understanding in coun­ versity on June 5, 1947 outlining the top ROTC students from all over the sel, resolute in action. In peace serious predicament of war-torn United States convene in Lexington, he was the architect who Europe. The physical destruction VA for the Marshall ROTC Award planned the restoration of the and economic dislocation of World Seminar, a fitting climax to the pro­ grams whch have been developed as battered European economy. War II threatened a complete break­ a living memorial to one of Amer­ He always fought victoriously down of social and commercial ica's greatest leaders. against defeatism, discour­ life. It is only logical, emphasized ?ffi agement and disillusion. Suc­ Marshall, that the United States ceeding generations must not should do whatever it could to assist forget his achievements and his in the return of economic health to example." the world, without which there can In demobilization after World War be no political stability and no II, he advocated a much smaller assured peace. Our policy is not peacetime active force so as not to be directed against any country or doc­ a heavy tax burden on United States trine but against hunger, poverty, citizens. His plan was to maintain desperation and chaos. The recovery a citizen-soldier concept, reserve initiative must come from the forces to supplement the regular European nations themselves. establishment. They would receive The reaction in Europe was posi­ periodic training throughout the tive. Congress appropriated $13.3 year and constitute a pool which billion for recovery over a four-year could be called upon in time of period. The aid supplied critically Preserving and national emergency. needed materials to get production promoting in At one point in his career, Marshall started again. This released produc­ was asked by the commanding tive energy many times the value of American Society general of Virginia Military Institute the goods involved. The program the ideals and what advice he would give a young received world-wide recognition and values of officer going to war. In substance, was popularly referred to as "The he wrote: Marshall Plan." . disciplined selfless 1. When conditions are difficult In 1949, at the age of 69 and service, hard work, and the command is depressed and although in poor health, his next pessimistic, you must be cheerful assignment was President of the integrity and and optimistic. American Red Cross which position compassion of 2. When evening comes and every­ he held from 1949 to 1950. one is exhausted, hungry and in In 1950 at the outbreak of the George Catlett low spirits, put aside your person­ Korean War, he was recalled to mili­ Marshall. al fatigue, display energy in check­ tary service again, this time as Sec­ ing the comfort of your units and retary of Defense from 1950 to 1951.

8 Officer Review/December 1995