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Alfred Gruenther

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327: 625: 408: 592:". After the West Point superintendent received a complaint about a full-time officer spending nights at bridge tournament, he audited Gruenther's 8 a.m. class. The Superintendent reported to his superiors that, "If I could be certain that being a bridge referee would have the same salutary effect on all the Military Academy's instructors as it has had on Lt. Gruenther, I would demand that they all become bridge referees in their spare time. I have never seen a finer chemistry instructor than Lt. Gruenther." Gruenther was considered the best bridge player in the U.S. Army, and was 191: 141: 121: 166: 712: 564:. As head of the Red Cross, Gruenther personally visited and inspected disaster areas in the United States. He made frequent public appearances, captivating the audience with "easy manner and conversational style." He received several awards for International Red Cross related activities, which included visits to Russia and Poland. 44: 489:
In the 1956 presidential campaign, Gruenther's name was placed on the list of possible candidates for the Republican nomination after Eisenhower's heart attack on September 24, 1955. After serving two terms, President Eisenhower considered Gruenther as a possible alternative to
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and later replaced him as SACEUR. From July 11, 1953 to November 20, 1956, he was Supreme Allied Commander, Europe/Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command (SACEUR/USCINCEUR). On December 31, 1956, Gruenther retired from the Army.
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at West Point and after studying for nineteen months, graduated early due to the war, on November 1, 1918, with a rank of fourth in a class of 277. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery but after the
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Gen. Eisenhower characterized Gruenther as "one of the ablest all-around officers, civilian or military, I have encountered." Gruenther served with distinction as staff officer in U.S. military operations in the
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and appointed as the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (COFS SHAPE) under Gen. Eisenhower, who became the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). He continued to serve under Gen.
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and then Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1947-1949. In 1949, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and served as the U.S. Army's deputy chief of staff for plans and operations.
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After the end of World War II in 1945, Gruenther served as deputy commander of U.S. forces in Austria. In 1946-1947, he was appointed deputy commandant of the recently established
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Until May 1935, when he was promoted to captain, he served various tours of duty including teaching mathematics, electricity and chemistry at West Point for eight years.
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In 1942, he was promoted to brigadier general and became a deputy chief of staff of Allied Force Headquarters in London under Gen. Eisenhower, who assigned him the
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Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890
725: 372:, the largest war exercises since World War I. Nearly 400,000 troops were involved. His performance was noticed by the Chief of Staff of the 540:, who gave birth to two sons, Donald A. Gruenther, and Richard L. Gruenther; they both became career military officers. His great-grandson, 1381: 608:, but I think I'll take Gruenther because he's the better bridge player". He was an honorary member of the National Laws Commission of the 996: 656:
history He is also sometimes credited to be the youngest major general in the U.S. Army in World War II, but that distinction belongs to
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In October 1941, Gruenther was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and became deputy chief of staff and then chief of staff of the
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magazine on February 6, 1956. He appeared as a guest on the February 10, 1957, episode of the popular TV quiz show
1193: 1017: 609: 521: 502: 338:, the son of Mary "Mayme" Shea, a school teacher, and Maximilian Gruenther, a newspaper editor who published the 315: 204: 49: 700:(1958). Altogether, he had honorary degrees from 38 universities and colleges and decorations from 20 nations. 1222: 775: 354: 1153: 879: 359: 589: 1061: 525: 465: 107: 1126:: Sunday, March 10, 1957, with Guest General Alfred M. Gruenther. St. Paul, Minn: 3 MIM Press Co, 1972. 506: 298:. Several years later, at the age of fifty-two, he became the second youngest four-star general in the 1221: 1113:
What's My Line? - Alfred Greunther; Fred MacMurray & June Haver; Tab Hunter (panel) (Feb 10, 1957)
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Appointment of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Alfred B. Gruenther (US), July 1, 1953
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he was recalled to West Point to complete his training, and graduated a second time in June 1919.
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Address by Alfred Gruenther, Red Cross president, to the Empire Club of Canada, 25 February 1960.
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and several presidential commissions on draft, health and disarmament. He was a president of the
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Duplicate Contract Complete: A Guide to Playing in and Conducting All Duplicate Bridge Contests.
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development. A year later, he was promoted to major general and served as chief of staff of the
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Duplicate Contract Complete: A Guide to Playing in and Conducting All Duplicate Bridge Contests
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Finding aid for Alfred M. Gruenther Oral History, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
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Citation Accompanying the Distinguished Service Medal Presented to General Gruenther
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Gen. Alfred Gruenther dies. He was the youngest four-star general in Army history
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Profile: Gruenther, Major General Alfred M., Director of the Joint Defense Staff.
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Grand Crosses 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
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practitioner, Gruenther published several books on the subject, including
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Papers of Alfred M. Gruenther, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
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Presidential possibilities, 1956. Editorial Research Reports, Vol. II.
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in 1942-1945, and as supreme Allied commander in Europe, during the
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jet fighter on January 28, 2013, during a training mission over the
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Gruenther was the recipient of many national medals, including the
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In September 1941, Gruenther, now a major, took part in the Army's
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Alfred M. Gruenther, 84, Is Dead; Ex-Military Commander of NATO
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The Hands of Time: The Most Exciting Bridge Deals Ever Played!
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Captain Lucas Gruenther died at the age of 32 while flying an
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From January 1957 to March 1964, he was president of the
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Gruenther served on the boards of Dart Industries, Inc.,
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Alfred Maximilian Gruenther, General, United States Army
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Gruenther was an adviser and planner to top generals in
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Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
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telephoned him to ask him to take the post of head of
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United States Army Field Artillery Branch personnel
536:In 1922, Gruenther married Grace Elizabeth Crum of 951:"General Gruenther speaks to Open Red Cross Drive" 864:Dwight D. Eisenhower - American Presidency Project 664:, was promoted to major general at the age of 37. 263:(March 3, 1899 – May 30, 1983) was a senior 321: 1343: 520:Gruenther died of complications of pneumonia at 395:. Gruenther's immediate commanding officer was 1013:"D-Day Memories of the Bridge Player in Chief" 374:General Headquarters, United States Army (GHQ) 726:List of United States Army four-star generals 555: 1223:Commanders of United States European Command 836:Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of State, 1947. 1412:United States Army generals of World War II 859: 857: 496:Republican presidential nomination in 1960 42: 630:Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe 612:. He served as honorary president of the 731:List of Supreme Allied Commanders Europe 623: 406: 325: 854: 667:Gruenther was featured on the cover of 648:In 1952, Gruenther became the youngest 286:, he served in the army throughout the 14: 1372:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery 1344: 1041:Laws of Duplicate Contract Bridge 1963 1010: 903:General Gruenther, Ex-NATO Chief, Dies 822:Alfred Maximilian Gruenther, 1899-1983 764: 754:Arlington National Cemetery biography. 679:and on the March 10, 1957, episode of 588:which was dubbed by the press as "The 411:From left to right, Alfred Gruenther, 399:, and the two became bridge partners. 52:(SACEUR)   (NATO Photo 1251) 1377:United States Military Academy alumni 1220: 1140:"Men, Missiles and Misunderstandings" 797: 795: 793: 758: 639:Mediterranean theater of World War II 898: 896: 894: 892: 318:(SACEUR) serving from 1953 to 1956. 1382:People from Platte County, Nebraska 824:, Nebraska State Historical Society 471:In 1951, Gruenther was promoted to 24: 1133: 790: 524:on May 30, 1983, and is buried at 316:Supreme Allied Commander in Europe 25: 1428: 1227:Supreme Allied Commanders, Europe 1159: 1071:, American Contract Bridge League 1001:Toronto, Ont: Master Point, 2005. 889: 628:A 1953 brochure on the symbol of 300:history of the United States Army 1402:American contract bridge players 1367:Military personnel from Nebraska 710: 567: 226:Army Distinguished Service Medal 189: 164: 139: 119: 1334:* only Supreme Allied Commander 1194:Supreme Allied Commander Europe 1117: 1106: 1090: 1074: 1055: 1033: 1004: 989: 976: 960: 944: 928: 912: 885:Washington, DC: CQ Press, 1955. 610:American Contract Bridge League 503:New York Life Insurance Company 402: 353:. In June 1917, he entered the 205:Supreme Allied Commander Europe 50:Supreme Allied Commander Europe 1392:NATO Supreme Allied Commanders 967:"Red Cross...Gruenther Visits" 872: 839: 827: 815: 776:United States Military Academy 768:(1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). 743: 619: 484: 355:United States Military Academy 322:Early life and military career 13: 1: 986:New York: Bridge World, 1933. 736: 632:(SHAPE), signed by Gruenther 590:Bridge Battle of the Century 387:as a colonel under Lt. Gen. 7: 1417:United States Army generals 1011:Walker, Karen (June 2009). 703: 690:Distinguished Service Medal 660:, who, as commander of the 526:Arlington National Cemetery 466:Director of the Joint Staff 452: 294:, where he was primarily a 261:Alfred Maximilian Gruenther 251:president (1957–1964) 108:Arlington National Cemetery 61:Alfred Maximilian Gruenther 10: 1433: 1045:Thomas de la Rue & Co. 556:Head of American Red Cross 507:Pan American World Airways 27:United States Army general 1332: 1233: 1205: 1191: 1183: 1178: 786:– via Google Books. 766:Cullum, George Washington 531: 522:Walter Reed Army Hospital 244: 232: 221: 211: 200: 185: 175: 160: 152: 132: 114: 102: 85: 65: 57: 41: 34: 1397:Laetare Medal recipients 1097:General Alfred Gruenther 1062:Gen. Alfred M. Greunther 809:, p. D16, May 31, 1983. 509:. He also served on the 306:, and succeeded General 1171:Generals of World War I 811:(subscription required) 614:World Bridge Federation 584:bridge championship in 538:Jeffersonville, Indiana 336:Platte Center, Nebraska 79:Platte Center, Nebraska 1067:March 6, 2016, at the 1051:, New York. p. v. 662:82nd Airborne Division 633: 515:English-Speaking Union 464:In 1947, he served as 423: 334:Gruenther was born in 331: 195:Field Artillery Branch 1085:The Spokesman-Review, 982:Gruenther, Alfred M. 627: 410: 351:Saint Paul, Minnesota 330:As a West Point cadet 329: 153:Years of service 594:Dwight D. Eisenhower 459:National War College 397:Dwight D. Eisenhower 340:Platte Center Signal 278:player. After being 941:, January 31, 2013. 925:, January 31, 2013. 923:The Huffington Post 391:, headquartered in 370:Louisiana Maneuvers 282:towards the end of 239:US Military Academy 18:Alfred M. Gruenther 955:The Stanford Daily 807:The New York Times 634: 562:American Red Cross 424: 393:San Antonio, Texas 347:St. Thomas Academy 332: 265:United States Army 249:American Red Cross 147:United States Army 48:Alfred Gruenther, 1339: 1338: 1215: 1214: 1206:Succeeded by 1179:Military offices 1103:February 6, 1956. 694:oak leaf clusters 650:four-star general 473:four-star general 304:Douglas MacArthur 255: 254: 16:(Redirected from 1424: 1218: 1217: 1203:1953—1956 1184:Preceded by 1176: 1175: 1127: 1121: 1115: 1110: 1104: 1094: 1088: 1078: 1072: 1059: 1053: 1052: 1049:Crown Publishers 1037: 1031: 1030: 1028: 1026: 1008: 1002: 995:Horton, Mark H. 993: 987: 980: 974: 973:August 24, 1960. 964: 958: 948: 942: 939:Star and Stripes 932: 926: 916: 910: 907:Washington Post, 900: 887: 876: 870: 861: 852: 843: 837: 831: 825: 819: 813: 812: 799: 788: 787: 785: 783: 762: 756: 747: 720: 718:Biography portal 715: 714: 713: 598:President Truman 511:Draper Committee 378:Lesley J. McNair 193: 168: 145: 143: 142: 134: 125: 123: 122: 96:Washington, D.C. 92: 75: 73: 46: 36:Alfred Gruenther 32: 31: 21: 1432: 1431: 1427: 1426: 1425: 1423: 1422: 1421: 1342: 1341: 1340: 1335: 1328: 1229: 1211: 1202: 1189: 1187:Matthew Ridgway 1162: 1136: 1134:Further reading 1131: 1130: 1122: 1118: 1111: 1107: 1095: 1091: 1079: 1075: 1069:Wayback Machine 1060: 1056: 1039: 1038: 1034: 1024: 1022: 1009: 1005: 994: 990: 981: 977: 965: 961: 957:, March 8, 1957 949: 945: 933: 929: 917: 913: 901: 890: 877: 873: 862: 855: 844: 840: 832: 828: 820: 816: 810: 800: 791: 781: 779: 763: 759: 748: 744: 739: 716: 711: 709: 706: 622: 582:Culbertson-Lenz 570: 558: 534: 487: 478:Matthew Ridgway 455: 443:15th Army Group 435:Operation Torch 413:Donald W. Brann 405: 324: 308:Matthew Ridgway 288:interwar period 274:president, and 245:Other work 140: 138: 120: 118: 110: 94: 90: 77: 71: 69: 53: 37: 28: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 1430: 1420: 1419: 1414: 1409: 1404: 1399: 1394: 1389: 1384: 1379: 1374: 1369: 1364: 1359: 1354: 1337: 1336: 1333: 1330: 1329: 1327: 1326: 1321: 1316: 1311: 1306: 1301: 1296: 1291: 1286: 1281: 1276: 1271: 1266: 1261: 1256: 1251: 1246: 1241: 1234: 1231: 1230: 1213: 1212: 1209:Lauris Norstad 1207: 1204: 1190: 1185: 1181: 1180: 1174: 1173: 1168: 1161: 1160:External links 1158: 1157: 1156: 1151: 1146: 1135: 1132: 1129: 1128: 1124:Meet the Press 1116: 1105: 1089: 1073: 1054: 1032: 1003: 988: 975: 959: 943: 927: 911: 888: 871: 853: 838: 826: 814: 789: 778:. p. 2064 757: 741: 740: 738: 735: 734: 733: 728: 722: 721: 705: 702: 682:Meet the Press 676:What's My Line 658:James M. Gavin 645:in 1953-1956. 621: 618: 569: 566: 557: 554: 533: 530: 486: 483: 454: 451: 404: 401: 389:Walter Krueger 323: 320: 253: 252: 246: 242: 241: 236: 230: 229: 223: 219: 218: 213: 209: 208: 202: 198: 197: 187: 183: 182: 179: 177:Service number 173: 172: 162: 158: 157: 154: 150: 149: 136: 130: 129: 116: 112: 111: 106: 104: 100: 99: 93:(aged 84) 87: 83: 82: 67: 63: 62: 59: 55: 54: 47: 39: 38: 35: 26: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1429: 1418: 1415: 1413: 1410: 1408: 1405: 1403: 1400: 1398: 1395: 1393: 1390: 1388: 1385: 1383: 1380: 1378: 1375: 1373: 1370: 1368: 1365: 1363: 1360: 1358: 1355: 1353: 1350: 1349: 1347: 1331: 1325: 1322: 1320: 1317: 1315: 1312: 1310: 1307: 1305: 1302: 1300: 1297: 1295: 1292: 1290: 1287: 1285: 1284:Shalikashvili 1282: 1280: 1277: 1275: 1272: 1270: 1267: 1265: 1262: 1260: 1257: 1255: 1252: 1250: 1247: 1245: 1242: 1239: 1236: 1235: 1232: 1228: 1224: 1219: 1210: 1201: 1199: 1195: 1188: 1182: 1177: 1172: 1169: 1167: 1164: 1163: 1155: 1152: 1150: 1147: 1145: 1141: 1138: 1137: 1125: 1120: 1114: 1109: 1102: 1098: 1093: 1087:May 31, 1983. 1086: 1082: 1077: 1070: 1066: 1063: 1058: 1050: 1046: 1042: 1036: 1021: 1019: 1014: 1007: 1000: 999: 992: 985: 979: 972: 968: 963: 956: 952: 947: 940: 936: 931: 924: 920: 915: 909:May 31, 1983. 908: 904: 899: 897: 895: 893: 886: 883: 882: 878:Patch, B. 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Gen. 284:World War I 207:(1953−1956) 1346:Categories 1264:Goodpaster 1238:Eisenhower 1047:(London); 1020:District 8 737:References 441:, and the 439:Fifth Army 421:Guy Garrod 385:Third Army 234:Alma mater 115:Allegiance 72:1899-03-03 58:Birth name 1319:Breedlove 1314:Stavridis 1259:Lemnitzer 1249:Gruenther 616:1958-78. 360:Armistice 290:and into 272:Red Cross 156:1918–1956 1309:Craddock 1065:Archived 704:See also 643:Cold War 572:Being a 494:for the 453:Post-war 201:Commands 133:Service/ 1299:Ralston 1289:Joulwan 1254:Norstad 1244:Ridgway 1025:May 25, 268:officer 258:General 181:0-12242 170:General 1279:Galvin 1274:Rogers 574:bridge 532:Family 505:, and 419:, and 276:bridge 222:Awards 144:  135:branch 124:  103:Buried 98:, U.S. 81:, U.S. 1304:Jones 1294:Clark 1101:Time, 1269:Haig 1225:and 1198:NATO 1027:2016 1018:ACBL 850:NATO 784:2022 670:Time 654:U.S. 602:NATO 546:F-16 542:USAF 312:NATO 186:Unit 161:Rank 86:Died 66:Born 652:in 349:in 314:'s 310:as 228:(4) 1348:: 1200:) 1142:, 1099:, 1083:, 1043:. 1015:. 969:, 953:, 937:, 921:, 905:, 891:^ 866:, 856:^ 848:, 805:, 792:^ 752:, 685:. 552:. 528:. 517:. 461:. 415:, 380:. 342:. 270:, 1240:* 1196:( 1029:. 74:) 70:( 20:)

Index

Alfred M. Gruenther

Supreme Allied Commander Europe
Platte Center, Nebraska
Washington, D.C.
Arlington National Cemetery
United States
United States Army

General
Service number

Field Artillery Branch
Supreme Allied Commander Europe
World War II
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Alma mater
US Military Academy
American Red Cross
General
United States Army
officer
Red Cross
bridge
commissioned
World War I
interwar period
World War II
staff officer
history of the United States Army

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