William Howard Arnold (January 18, 1901 – September 30, 1976) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army.

Early life

Arnold was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee on January 18, 1901.Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C., published by U.S. House Committee on Government Operations, 1963, page 136 In 1924 he graduated from the United States Military Academy.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, published by the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates, 1930, page 1826

Early career Assigned to the Infantry, Arnold served in assignments throughout the United States. In 1928 he graduated from the Infantry Officer Course.U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1946, page 24 From 1928 to 1930 he was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.Who Was Who In America: With World Notables, published by Marquis Who's Who, 1993, page 17

Arnold was assigned as Training and Operations Officer, S-3, for the 15th Infantry Regiment in Tientsin, China from 1934 to 1936.The United States 15th Infantry Regiment in China, 1912-1938, by Alfred E. Cornebise, 2004, page 217

In 1938 he graduated from the Command and General Staff College.U.S. Army Register, 1946

World War II From 1942 to 1943 Arnold was Assistant Chief of Staff for Training and Operations, G-3, of the IV Corps, headquartered at Fort Lewis, Washington.Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.

Arnold was promoted to brigadier general in September, 1943 and assigned as Chief of Staff of the XIV Corps, supervising the planning and execution of combat operations in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and Bougainville.The Chicago Assembly, January 5–6, 1956, published by Rand McNally & Company, 1956, page 26

Arnold was promoted to major general in November, 1944 and assigned to command the 23rd (Americal) Infantry Division. He served until the division was deactivated in December, 1945, leading it during combat operations in the Southern Philippines. In August, 1945 Arnold accepted the surrender of the Japanese occupying Cebu Island.Center of Military History Publication 72-40, Southern Philippines: The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II

Post-World War II Arnold continued his Army service after the war. From 1950 to 1952 he served as commander of the Joint Military Mission for Aid to Turkey (JMMAT).Report on Military Construction Projects: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort, S.C.

In 1953 Arnold was assigned as commander, of U.S. Forces Austria, receiving promotion to lieutenant general and serving until 1955.Waltzing Into the Cold War: the Struggle for Occupied Austria, James Jay Carafano, 2002, p. 173

Arnold was named commander of the 5th United States Army headquartered in Chicago, Illinois in 1955, where he served until his 1961 retirement."Arnold, Chief In Austria, To Head 5th Army; He'll Succeed Gen. Gay in Chicago Office", Chicago Tribune, p. 26. WAugust 14, 1955. Retrieves April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com."Gen. Arnold Soon to Doff His Uniform; Retirement Will End 36 Year Career" Chicago Tribune, p. 46. September 26, 1960. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com."5th Army Gets A New Boss on Wednesday; Lt. Gen. Cummings To Be Sworn In", Chicago Tribune, p. 30. January 29, 1961. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.

Awards and decorations

General Arnold's honors included multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal including two for World War II, the Silver Star, two awards of the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars and the Air Medal.Midwest Engineer, published by Western Society of Engineers, Chicago, volumes 11 to 13, 1958, page 9U.S. Army Register, 1946Military Times, Hall of Valor, Recipients of the Army Distinguished Service Medal

Family, retirement, and death With his wife, Elizabeth Welsh (Mullen), he was the father of nuclear fuel executive William Howard Arnold, Colonel Joseph Coleman Arnold,(1964 USMA), Elizabeth A Dallman, Emily A Clancy, and the grandfather of Nobel Prize-winning scientist and engineer Frances Arnold.

In retirement Arnold remained in the Chicago area. He died in Lake Forest, Illinois on September 30, 1976."Gen. W.H. Arnold, 75, WW II Leader Dies", The New York Times, p. 95. October 1, 1976. Retrieved April 20, 2024."Gen. W. H. Arnold dies; fought in South Pacific", Chicago Tribune, p. 45. October 1, 1976. Retrieved April 20, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. He is buried at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, next to his wife Elizabeth (1905–1976), who was named a Grand Cross Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre in 1955.“Fünfzig Jahre und mehr”, Ritterorden vom Heiligen Grab zu Jerusalem, Festschrift 2004, p 40

References

External links Generals of World War II