William F. Dean | |
|---|---|
 Dean in 1950 | |
| Birth name | William Frishe Dean |
| Born | August 1, 1899 Carlyle, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 24, 1981 (aged 82) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1921–1955 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Commands | 44th Infantry Division 7th Infantry Division 24th Infantry Division |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Taegeuk Order of Military Merit |
| Signature |  |
William Frishe Dean Sr. (August 1, 1899 – August 24, 1981) was a United States Army major general during World War II and the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 20 and 21, 1950 during the Battle of Daejon (Taejon) in South Korea. Dean also became the highest ranking American officer captured by an enemy force since the 18 American Army generals captured by Imperial Japan after the fall of the Philippines when he was captured by North Korea during the Korean War.
Dean attended the University of California at Berkeley before graduating with a commission in the US Army through the Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) in 1921. Slowly rising up the ranks in the inter-war years, Dean worked a desk job in Washington, D.C., for much of World War II before being transferred to the 44th Infantry Division which he commanded during the final days of the war, and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross.
Dean commanded the 24th Infantry Division at the outbreak of the Korean War. Dean led the division for several weeks in successive delaying battles against the North Koreans before he led his division in making a last stand at Daejon. During the confused retreat from that city, Dean was separated from his soldiers and badly injured, and was eventually captured by the North Koreans. He remained in North Korean custody near Pyongyang for the remainder of the war. After the end of the conflict, Dean returned to the United States to a hero's welcome. He retired from the Army soon after and lived a quiet life until his death.