Albert Coady Wedemeyer | |
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Born | Omaha, Nebraska, US | July 9, 1896
Died | December 17, 1989 Fort Belvoir, Virginia, US | (aged 93)
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1919–1951 |
Rank | General |
Service number | 0-12484 |
Commands | Sixth United States Army |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit Presidential Medal of Freedom Order of Blue Sky and White Sun (China) |
Other work | Author |
General Albert Coady Wedemeyer (July 9, 1896 – December 17, 1989)[1] was a United States Army commander who served in Asia during World War II from October 1943 to the end of the war. Previously, he was an important member of the War Planning Board which formulated plans for the invasion of Normandy. He was General George C. Marshall's chief consultant when in the spring of 1942 he traveled to London with General Marshall and a small group of American military men to consult with the British in an effort to convince the British to support the cross channel invasion. Wedemeyer was a staunch anti-communist. While in China during the years 1944 to 1945 he was Chiang Kai-shek's Chief of Staff and commanded all American forces in China. Wedemeyer supported Chiang's struggle against Mao Zedong and in 1947 President Truman sent him back to China to render a report on what actions the United States should take. During the Cold War, Wedemeyer was a chief supporter of the Berlin Airlift.