John Cecil Persons | |
|---|---|
 Persons while in the Pacific in the summer of 1944 | |
| Born | May 9, 1888 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Died | December 22, 1974 (aged 86) Birmingham, Alabama |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1919 1924-1948 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
| Service number | 0-203751 |
| Unit |  Infantry Branch |
| Commands | 31st Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Awards | |
John Cecil Persons (May 9, 1888 – December 22, 1974) was a lawyer, banker, and highly decorated officer in the United States Army and Alabama National Guard, who is most noted as the commanding general of the 31st Infantry Division during World War II.[1]
Persons began his career as a lawyer and later served as an infantry officer during World War I, when he distinguished himself during the Second Battle of the Marne. He received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest decoration of the United States Army, and remained active in the Alabama National Guard after the war. Following the United States' entry into World War II, Persons commanded the 31st Infantry Division in the Southwest Pacific theatre.[2][1]
- ^ a b "History of 31st Infantry Division in Training and Combat 1940–1945" (PDF). ufdc.ufl.edu. University of Florida Digital collections. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
- ^ "The Biography of Major General John C. Persons (1888–1974)". generals.dk. Generals Websites. Retrieved April 5, 2024.