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THE TAMPA TRIBUNE
General
surveys a
cenll tury
As he nears 100, Gen. James A.
Van Fleet looks back over a long
career as a general President Harry
Truman called "the greatest ever."
By TOM McEWEN
Tribune Staff Writer
POLK CITY
he General's favorite time now is just after
night has fallen on his 2,000-acre ranch in
north central Polk County, when the deer,
raccoons, rabbits and the squirrels come
into his back yard, unconcerned by the
spotlights that make them visible, even to
100-year-old eyes.
The dining done, the General, his daughter,
Dempsie McChristian, and his aides, Yvonne and Bo
Morrison, will sit for long stretches in the dark and
look out upon a painter's scene, not talking, not
moving, since th:e slightest noise would send the does,
then the bucks, into the pines and out of sight. There ,
are no houses near the ranch to which the General
retired from the military in 1953.
For two years he refused to install a telephone, Abo'
but in time he relented and re-entered the world
beyond as a successful diplomat and businessman. V
Rut visiting with the deer and the other animals in K
~- '4 ,'lip --
Hli. A.
r,::
frC'I~L
7-A
ve, Gen. James A.
n Fleet sits in the
korean Room of his
I ;
P9
4446 yfvll
_m
uu-yeai-mwu eyu.
The-dining dooe, the General, his daughter,
Dempsie McChristian, and his aides, Yvonne and Bo
Morrison, will sit for long stretches in the dark and
look out upon a painter's scene, not talking, not
moving, since the slightest noise would send the does,
'hen the bucks, into t e pines and out of sight. There
are no houses near the ranch to which the General
r- cred from the military in 1953.
For two years he refused to install a telephone,
but in time he relented and re-entered the world
beyond as a successful diplomat and businessman.
But visiting with the deer and the other animals in
;ie quiet and in the natural setting returns the
General to the time of his childhood and his youth in
Polk County.
The quiet moments after dark return him to the
peace and circumstances he knew before five wars,
three combat wounds, and dealing with kings and
queens, presidents, shahs and other generals,
including good friends Dwight Eisenhower, George
Patton, George Marshall and Omar Bradley.
Four-Star Gen. James A. Van Fleet has had a
lifelong love affair with Polk County, with Florida
and with the United States. So when his great work
was done for his country and its allies, he rushed to
Bartow and Auburndale, the Polk County places of
his roots, with his late wife, Helen Moore Van Fleet.
She died in 1984, at age 90, and, the General said
recently, "is at Arlington Cemetery waiting for me."
For years, as he carried out diplomatic
assignments for Presidents E4senhower and Kennedy,-
his home once more was where it was before he
became the general that President Harry Truman
called "the greatest ever."
Now, the General is approaching his 100th
birthday, and it is the simple pleasures the visits of
the deer each night to the back yard, the visits of his
two daughters, his eight grandchildren or 12 great
grandchildren, and a few old friends that he
enjoys most. A hip that won't be strong again and a
slight stroke make sitting in a mobile chair the
comfortable way to move around the house of a
million memories, of gifts and citations, awards,
photographs that would stir any viewer, and paintings
from all over the world.
Everybody in the family is coming to the birthday
party March 19, The General's 100th, said Dempsie,
who is married to retired Maj. Gen, Joseph A.
McChristian. "Everybody" includes the elder
daughter, Betty McConnell of Charlotte, N.C., and the
one active military person in the Van Fleet family,
Capt. Avery Brand, a granddaughter of the General
who served in the Persian Gulf war.
Also there will be James A. Van Fleet III, son of
the General's son, James A. Jr., who was killed over
Korea flying a B-26. James III lives with the General
at the ranch.
"And it seems," said Dempsie, "more and more of
his troops are coming back for his hundredth. I know
. **** r.f ,' ..ighnranking officers of his regiment
i > ' - *
-- '-
Above, Gen. James A.
Van Fleet sits in the
Korean Room of his
home in Polk City.
Awards from his long
military career decorate
his home, at right. He is
shown as commander
of the Eighth Army in
South Korea in 1951., far
right. Van Fleet and
Gen. George Patton
look over aerial maps at
the end of World War II,
below.
Tribune photographs by
GREG FIGHT
Generally
66He is a gre
distinguished t
and throughout
service to our
War, General \
take command
- circumstances
of the Eighth A
for the lives of
troops. His ten
operations anc
testimony to hi
ensured the sL
Nations stratec
-.., ( ."
... From the Nv
Remagen, fron
frozen hills of I
valiantly and gi
your country fc
come to a cent
tenacity which
wars and cowtir
p IIe unC 4U ALciUil as Uh t nwi L te ore sU l to Asu
peace and circusisiances he knew before five wars,
three combat wounds, and dealing with kings and
queens, presidents, shahs and other generals,
including good friends Dwight Eisenhower, George
Patton, George Marshall and Omar Bradley.
Four-Star Gen. James A. Van Fleet has had a
lifelong love affair with Polk County, with Florida
and with thie United States. So when his great work
was done for his country and ils ai!lies, he rushed to
Bartow and Auburndale, the Polk County places of
his roots, with his late wife, Helen Moore Van Fleet.
She died in 1984, at age 90, and, the General said
recently, "is at Arlington Cemetery waiting for me."
For years, as he carried out diplomatic
assignments for Presidents Ei,-r-n. o.r ain Kocnnedy,
his home once more was where it was before he
became the general that President Harry Truman
called "the greatest ever."
Now, the General is approaching his 100th
birthday, and it is the simple pleasures the visits of
the deer each night to the back yard, the visits of his
two daughters, his eight grandchildren or 12 great
grandchildren, and a few old friends that he
enjoys most. A hip that won't be strong again and a
slight stroke make sitting in a mobile chair the
comfortable way to move around the house of a
million memories, of gifts and citations, awards,
photographs that would stir any viewer, and paintings
from all over the world.
Everybody in the family is coming to the birthday
party March 19, The General's 100th, said Dempsie,
who is married to retired Maj. Gen, Joseph A.
McChristian. "Everybody" includes the elder
daughter, Betty McConnell of Charlotte, N.C., and the
one active military person in the Van Fleet family,
Capt. Avery Brand, a granddaughter of the General
who served in the Persian Gulf war.
Also there will be James A. Van Fleet III, son of
the General's son, James A. Jr., who was killed over
Korea flying a B-26. James III lives with the General
at the ranch.
"And it seems," said Dempsie, "more and more of
his troops are coming back for his hundredth. I know
that five of the eight ranking officers of his regiment
that landed at Utah Beach [the invasion of Normandy
in World War II] are coming." At a recent reunion,
the men of the 90th Infantry Division signed a Will To
Win birthday message that was sent to their general.
It was the 90th that Gen. Van Fleet led across
France and into Germany in a period of heroic
leadership that brought him three Distinguished
Service Crosses. At the presentation of the third, Gen.
Bradley said that in truth, Van Fleet was earning
"about three a day."
The birthday is attracting local, state, national
and international response for this special man of
Florida roots. He served his country full time for 42
years, informally for many others, this Floridian of
will and wisdom, good humor, this soldier's soldier
who Vi'.cri ~het the C 'wW :i in?;,no ;,:.'- *n',; *,'(o' he
lim liUlfie, ak fgni. n.e IS
shown as commander
of the Eighth Army in
South Korea in 1951, far
right. Van Fleet and
Gen. George Patton
look over aerial maps at
the end of World War II,
below.
Tribune photographs by
GREG FIGHT
Ilk,
* 7 --
f4 n
Fundamentals, the General preached, as a
military leader, as a diplomat, as a football coach.
For two years he was an assistant football coach at
the University of Florida and for two years, in 1923
and 1924, the head coach, while serving as ROTC
adviser at Gainesville.
11,' wcd thie sme Will To Win ., *. in
coach football successfully, get the most out of your
players, you should be able to do the same in the
military," he once said.
In 1923, the Gators of Coach Van Fleet had a 6-1-2
record, and one of 6-2-2 the next year. He has since
been awarded an honorary degree by the University
of I,.'T. : and has retnInedt ;a fervent supporter of
4-.I
S6 (I sent hin
war. I sent hi
war, He's the
r
Genera
He is a
distinguishede
and through
service to o
War, Gener;
take comma
circumstance
of the Eight
for the lives
troops. His
operations
testimony tc
ensured the
Nations stra
( From thi
Remagen, fi
frozen hills <
valiantly anc
your country)
come to a ci
tenacity whi.
wars and cc
brilliant lead
General! On
women of Ai
want to wish
and happy rn
and old acqi
recor'nv. "is at Ariringon Cemetery waiting for me."
,For ye'.rs. n,: he carried out : '* .
assignments i'oi 1irest-,ucr, i-.isen.'eower and Kennedy,
his home once more was where it was before he
became the general that President Harry Truman
called "the greatest ever."
Now, the Gcnerai is approaching his 100th
hirihi,'ay and it is (iic sim :ple pleasures the visits of
the deer each night to the back yard, the visits of his
two daughters, his eight grandchildren or 12 great
grandchildren, and a few old friends that he
enjoys most. A hip that won't be strong again and a
slight stroke make sitting in a mobile chair the
comfortable way to move around the house of a
million memories, of gifts and citations, awards,
photographs that would stir any viewer, and paintings
from all over the world.
Everybody in the family is coming to the birthday
party March 19, The General's 100th, said Dempsie,
who is married to retired Maj. Gen. Joseph A.
McChristian. "Everybody" includes the elder
daughter, Betty McConnell of Charlotte, N.C., and the
one active military person in the Van Fleet family,
Capt. Avery Brand, a granddaughter of the General
who served in the Persian Gulf war.
Also there will be James A. Van Fleet III, son of
the General's son, James A. Jr., who was killed over
Korea flying a B-26. James III lives with the General
at the ranch.
"And it seems," said Dempsie, "more and more of
his troops are coming back for his hundredth. I know
that five of the eight ranking officers of his regiment
that landed at Utah Beach [the invasion of Normandy
in World War II] are coming." At a recent reunion,
the men of the 90th Infantry Division signed a Will To
Win birthday message that was sent to their general.
It was the 90th that Gen. Van Fleet led across
France and into Germany in a period of heroic
leadership that brought him three Distinguished
Service Crosses. At the presentation of the third, Gen.
Bradley said that in truth, Van Fleet was earning
"about three a day."
The birthday is attracting local, state, national
and international response for this special man of
Florida roots. He served his country full time for 42
years, informally for many others, this Floridian of
will and wisdom, good humor, this soldier's soldier
who cherished the Combat Infantryman's Badge he
won more than any other decoration. Generals just
do not win a Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Tribune photographs by
GREG FIGHT
-tE :....- . .. ,-.-5 ..--. " .- - . .
KY
-n T..,
r ~ ~ 4...A..
Q,,
Fundamentals, the General preached, as a
military leader, as a diplomat, as a football coach.
For two years he was an assistant football coach at
the University of Florida and for two years, in 1923
and 1924, the head coach, while serving as ROTC
adviser at Gainesville.
He used the same Will To Win attitude in
coaching the Gators, and "it worked both in football
combat and In military combat. Indeed, if you can
coach football successfully, get the most out of your
players, you should be able to do the same in the
military," he once said.
In 1923, the Gators of Coach Van Fleet had a 6-1-2
record, and one of 6-2-2 the next year. He has since
been awarded an honorary degree by the University
of Florida and has remained a fervent supporterof
..j Genera:
- 6 6He is a
distinguish
and through
service to o01
War, Gener,
.y take comma
circumstance
of the Eight!
-,... for the lives
troops. His 1
operations t
.. testimony tc
ensured the
Nations stra
"6 From th(
Remagen, fr
frozen hills <
valiantly anc
your country
come to a C4
tenacity whit
wars and co
brilliant lead,
General! On
women of Ai
want to wish
and happy r(
and old acqt
6 6 I sent hir
war. I sent h
war. He's the
had. 9 9
See FROM, Page 3
Rlape victims speak out around the world
ly SUZIE SIEGEL
Tribune Staff Writer
TAMPA On the w 1v t! .. .... ,-
ma that rape carries in many countries, says
Suzanne Roach, director of the Amnesty Inter-
national women's program in New York.
The U.S. State Department requires embas-
sies to report on human rights in every country
e.c'h vear, Thpe reports Po tI' I"n ,r--., w';-h
fie UILO f 16!11~
ind Keth-e~dy,
100th
the visits of,
visits of his
r 12 great
that he
gain and a
air the
use of a
awards,
and paintings
the birthday
id Dempsie,
!ph A.
elder
N.C., and the
eet family,
:he General
it III, son of
killed over
the General
. and more of
redth. I know
his regiment
of Normandy
nt reunion,
,ned a Will To
heir general.
ed across
' heroic
iguished
he third, Gen.
s earning
', national
ial man of
L time for 42
Floridian of
her's soldier
's Badge he
generals just
ge.
A'~
4.~
K -'~>
~-
Fundamentals, the General preached, as a
military leader, as a diplomat, as a football coach.
For two years he was an assistant football coach at
the University of Florida and for two years, in 1923
and 1924, the head coach, while serving as ROTC
adviser at Gainesville.
He used the same Will To Win attitude in
coaching the Gators, and "it worked both in football
combat and in military combat. Indeed, if you can
coach football successfully, get the most out of your
players, you should be able to do the same in the
military," he once said.
In 1923, the Gators of Coach Van Fleet had a 6-1-2
record, and one of 6-2-2 the next year. He has since
been awarded an honorary degree by the University
of Florida and has remained a fervent supporter of
See FROM, Page 3
40 *
ma that rape carries in many countries, says The U
Suzanne Roach, director of the Amnesty Inter- sies to rep
national women's program in New York. each year
, the "We need to pay special attention to women, determine
.S. State Department requires embas-
ort on human rights in every country
. The reports go to Congress, which
s foreign aid.
C
A a
~
r
H
.4
I .
7
Generally spewing
& & He is a great Americahwho
distinguished himself during three wars
and throughout his over fdur decades of
service to our nation. During the Korean
War, General Van Fleet wag rushed to
take command under difficult political
circumstances. As commanding general
of the Eighth Army, he was responsible
for the lives of hundreds of thousands of
troops. His tenacious defensive
operations and aggressive attacks were
testimony to his superb leadership and
ensured the success of the United
Nations strategy." 9 9
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
64 From the Meuse-Argonne to
Remagen, from the Ruhr Pocket to the
frozen hills of Korea, you labored
valiantly and gallantly in the service of
your country for 42 years. Now, you have
come to a century's age with the same
tenacity which led you through three
wars and countless acts of heroism and
brilliant leadership. Happy birthday,
General! On behalf of the men and
women of America's Armed Forces, I
want to wish you the very best birthday
and happy reunion with friends, relatives
and old acquaintances. 9)
Colin L. Powell,
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
6 I sent him to Greece, and he won that
war. I sent him to Korea, and he won that
war. He's the greatest general we ever
had. President Harry Truman
President Harry Truman
The,Tampa Tribune-Times, Sunday, March 8, 1992
From Greece to Korea, general served his country
N From Page 1
its academic and athletic programs,
giving many of his Greek and Kore-
an artifacts to the university and
having a Will To Win room named
for him in the football facility there.
"Dad, when he was 95," said
Dempsie, "would drive from here at
the ranch straight'to the other Van
Flfet place, where we [she and her
husband] now live, in Hobe Sound.
I.pw, that's a four-hour drive non-
stop and he would drive non-stop, 95
years old, mind you, and then
plunge into the Atlantic. Only in the
last year have things changed a lit-
tle with Dad."
Friends of Lincoln
The General might not like it
known that he is not a native Florid-
ian, though 99 years and some six
months of living and contributing
should qualify him. His father, V. ,-
liam Van Fleet, who was 59 when
the future general was born, and his
mother, Roxanne Schofield Van
Fleet, were Ohioans and, according
to Van Fleet's official U. S. Army
biography, friends of Abraham Lin-
coln. And William Van Fleet's dad,
the General's grandfather, Joshua
Jan Van Fleet, an immigrant from
Amsterdam, Holland, who at age 14
fought in the Revolutionary War.
William and .Roxanne Van Fleet
moved to Polk County in 1879 and
went into the railroad construction
business, then later the phosphate
business where financially things
went awry. But, prior to that, during
an epidemic of yellow fever in Flor-
ida late in the last century, the Van
Fleets went north and it was in Coy-
tesville, N.J., that the man who
would help decide world affairs was
born.
Returning quickly to Polk Coun-
ty with his parents, Jamie Van
Fleet, as his mother called him,
went off to kindergarten with anoth-
er of Bartow's roster of great
achievers, Spessard L. Holland, who
would become governor of Florida
and then a distinguished U.S. sena-
tor. Their friendship would continue
until the senator's death.
Jim Van Fleet, as the General
was called by his father, and Spes-
sard Holland also were classmates
at Surnmerlin Institute in Bartow,
A mammogram is only one-third of the picture.
A-- 51 1, -
'. . .. .
, 07,
I.
. .. .... *1
or early breast cancer detection, St. Joseph's
Cancer Institute offers for one month only a com-
prehensive three-part screening. For the low cost of $50*,
you receive a mammogram AND a physician's exam
A f\TTn 'it^ ^ '"rr '- ?/' **~'' r^ r ~*f'r*^~- n-/'* 'l*lr' "----
the predecessor to Bartow" Hi,
There, Van Fleet played center, a
for four years on top-notch tea,
On to West Point
In 1912 U.S. Rep. Stephen Sp'
man of Tampa nominated yo..
James, as he would be called n,
for an appointment to the U.S. M
tary Academy at West Point. In
last two years, Cadet James
Fleet was the starting fullback
top-notch Army teams.
He was a member of the Ck
of 1915, which included Dwight
Eisenhower and Omar Bradley.
As a second lieutenant in i1,
he was a member of the 3rd In.
try Regiment, the oldest in the .
Army, and rushed to Eagle P.
Texas, to serve under Gen. Jo::
"Black Jack" Pershing in operail,
against Pancho Villa of Mexico.
Soon after the United States .
tered World War I, Lt. Van P:.
went to France with the 6th D:
sion and assumed command of
17th Machine Gun Company, w.i
saw heavy action in the Meusc-
gonne offensive. He was wounded :
action near Sedan on Nov. 4, I.
but remained in Europe on occu
tion duty after the Armistice, not
turning to the U.S. until June 19:
Between world wars, Van F!
served in many positions, some,
college campuses as a ROTC a.
er, which brought him to the
versity of Florida from 1921-'24 :
again in 1929-'33.
With World War II, off went r
James A. Van Fleet. His 8th !.'
try Regiment was selected to s:
head the landing of the 4th Inft.
Division at Utah Beach on Nor,,
dy's coast on D-Day. After :.
combat from the beaches to k
bourg, Generals Marshall.
hower and Bradley inspected
front lines. There, Eisenhower
formed Marshall that Van FH'.
BayLife-3-
,neral served his (
ends of Abraham Lin-
lliam Van Fleet's dad,
s grandfather, Joshua
et, an immigrant from
Holland, who at age 14
Revolutionary War.
nd.Roxanne Van Fleet
lk County in 1879 and
. railroad construction
n later the phosphate
re financially things
ut, prior to that, during
af yellow fever in Flor-
e last century, the Van
orth and it was in Coy-
, that the man who
would help decide world affairs was
born.
Returning quickly to Polk Coun-
ty with his parents, Jamie Van
Fleet, as his mother called him,
went off to kindergarten with anoth-
er of Bartow's roster of great
achievers, Spessard L. Holland, who
would become governor of Florida
and then a distinguished U.S. sena-
tor. Their friendship would continue
until the senator's death.
Jim Van Fleet, as the General
was called by his father, and Spes-
sard Holland also were classmates
at Summerlin Institute in Bartow,
:hird of the picture.
or early breast cancer detection, St. Joseph's
te offers for one month only a com-
nee-part screening. For the low cost of $50*,
namnmogram AND a physician's exam
n how to correctly perform monthly breast
ig dates: March 16 April 10.
d, and appointments are required.
Monday Friday, 8 a.m. 2 p.m.
*,ence of a lifriimne make an appointment!
st problems requires an additional diagnostic manmno-
total cost for the three-part screening only $80.
N ;. ..... . ...- -- i
S "- ..,- '. ,., ", .
combat irom the beaches to Cher-
bourg, Generals Marshall, Eisen-
hower and Bradley inspected the
front lines. There, Eisenhower in-
formed Marshall that Van Fleet de-
served great credit, that he was a
pre-eminent general.
Thereafter promotions came
quickly as did major commands for
Van Fleet.
He was named assistant com-
mander of the 2nd Infantry Division
and promoted to brigadier general.
He later commanded that division
as well as the 90th, spearheading
the Third Army's attack to cut off
the Fortress Metz and the crossings
of both the Moselle and Saar rivers
under heavy fire. Patton called the
crossings marvels and assigned Van
Fleet to lead the counter-offensive
to free the trapped U.S. Army units
at Bastonge, and he did, performing
heroically and effectively in th'e
Home to Polk
The General himself once said
he was proudest of having the op-
portunity to serve his country and to
have served it.
Then came the "retirement" to.
his beloved Polk County and his be-
loved Florida, though in 1954 Presi-
dent Eisenhower sent him on a
survey of the Far East political and
economic situation with the rank of
ambassador and, in 1961, President
John F. Kennedy called upon him
for a study of the National Guard
and Special Forces.
He was also asked to represent
this country at the coronation of the
Shah of Iran, whom he came to
know well, and at the Golden Jubi-
lee of Emperor Haile Selassie of:
Ethiopia.
The General does not kn.,w of
u n try ":Germany and broke through for the-,
o u n try sweep to the Ruhr and the encircle-
ment of more than 100,000 German .
the predecessor to Bartow' High. troops, who then surrendered. Pat-
There, Van Fleet played center, and' ton, in a briefing a congressional
for four years on top-notch teams. delegation in his headquarters in
Tolz, Germany, declared that Van
On to West Point Fleet was the best of all combat
generals who served under him.
In 1912 U.S. Rep. Stephen Spark- Van Fleet was back in the Unit-
man of Tampa nominated young ed States only a short time when
James, as he would be called next, Queen Frederica of Greece ap-
for an appointment to the U.S. Mili- pealed for help in fighting the Com-
tary Academy at West Point. In his munist guerrillas, who were winning
last two years, Cadet James Van the war there. President Truman
Fleet was the starting fullback bn gave Van Fleet the job and a third
top-notch Army teams. star.
He was a member of the Class American troops were used only
of 1915, which included Dwight D. for training, and train the Greek ar-
Eisenhower and Omar Bradley. my Van Fleet did. His work there,
As a second lieutenant in 1916, including developing a water supply
he was a member of the 3rd Infan- system for Athens, won him a cover
try Regiment, the oldest in the U.S. story in Time magazine, a statue in
Army, and rushed to Eagle Pass, the town square of Kastoria in
Texas, to serve under Gen. John J. northern Greece, and the admira-
"Black Jack" Pershing in operations tion of President Truman. Van Fleet
against Pancho Villa of Mexico. came home, but he wasn't finished.
Soon after the United States en- In April 1951, the Korean War
tered World War I, Lt. Van Fleet was raging. The Chinese had en-
went to France with the 6th Divi- tered'the war on the side of the
sion and assumed command of the North Koreans and swarmed south.
17th Machine Gun Company, which Van Fleet was appointed tcommand-
saw heavy action in the Meuse-Ar- er of the U.S. Eighth Army and all i
gonne offensive. He was wounded in United Nations troops in Korea and
action near Sedan on Nov. 4, 1918, awarded a fourth star. He turned
but remained in Europe on occupa- the war's tide. He drove the Chinese
tion duty after the Armistice, not re- north.
turning to the U.S. until June 1919. "The Chinese tried to throw us
Between world wars, Van Fleet into the sea (approaching Seoul) but
served in many positions, some on we stood our line north of the swol-
college campuses as a ROTC advis- len Han River," said Van Fleet, and
er, which brought him to the Uni- the Chinese began to retreat. The
versity of Florida from 1921-'24 and pursuit was ordered stopped at the
again in 1929-'33. 38th Parallel, now the dividing line
With World War II, off went Col. between North and South Korea.
James A. Van Fleet. His 8th Infan- There would be no more wars,
try Regiment was selected to spear- though one high-ranking U.S. offi-
head the landing of the 4th Infantry cial once said privately that Viet-
Division at Utah Beach on Norman- nam would have been different if
dy's coast on D-Day. After fierce Van Fleet had been in charge.
iira or tne picriu.-
Searly breast cancer detection, St. Joseph's
: offers for one month only a com-
e-part screening For the low cost of $50*,
mammogram AND a physician's exam
how to correctly perform monthly breast
dates: March 1.6- Aril 10.
1, and appointments are required.
Mondayy Fridavy 8 a.m. 2 p.m.
ence of a lifetime, make an appointment!
t problems requires an additional diagnostic mat o-
otal cost for the three-part screening only $80.
4 1.
/
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Texas, to serve under Gen. John J. northern Greece, anbdtne-amira-.
"Black Jack" Pershing in operations tion of President Truman. Van Fleet
against Pancho Villa of Mexico. came home, but he wasn't finished.
Soon after the United States en- In April 1951, the Korean War
tered World War I, Lt. Van Fleet was raging. The Chinese had en-
went to France with the 6th Divi- tered the war on the side of the
sion and assumed command of the North Koreans and swarmed south.
17th Machine Gun Company, which Van Fleet was appointed command-
saw heavy action in the Meuse-Ar- er of the U.S. Eighth Army and all
gonne offensive. He was wounded in United Nations troops in Korea and
action near Sedan on Nov. 4, 1918, awarded a fourth star. He turned
but remained in Europe on occupa- the war's tide. He drove the Chinese
tion duty after the Armistice, not re- north.
turning to the U.S. until June 1919. "The Chinese tried to throw us
Between world wars, Van Fleet into the sea (approaching Seoul) but
served in many positions, some on we stood our line north of the swol-
college campuses as a ROTC advis- len Han River," said Van Fleet, and
er, which brought him to the Uni- the Chinese began to retreat. The
versity of Florida from 1921-'24 and pursuit was ordered stopped at the
again in 1929-'33. 38th Parallel, now the dividing line
With World War II, off went Col. between North and South Korea.
James. A. Van Fleet. His 8th Infan- There would be no more wars,
try Regiment was selected to spear- though one high-ranking U.S. offi-
head the landing of the 4th Infantry cial once said privately that Viet-
Division at Utah Beach on Norman- nam would have been different if
dy's coast on D-Day. After fierce Van Fleet had been in charge.
combat from the beaches to Cher-
bourg, Generals Marshall, Eisen- Home to Polk
hower and Bradley inspected the -
front lines. There, Eisenhower in- The General himself once said
formed Marshall that Van Fleet de- he was proudest of having the op-
served great credit, that he was a portunity to serve his country and to
pre-eminent general. have served it.
Thereafter promotions came Then came the "retirement" to
quickly as did major commands for his beloved Polk County and his be-
Van Fleet. loved Florida, though in 1954 Presi-
He was named assistant com- dent Eisenhower sent him on a
mander of the 2nd Infantry Division survey of the Far East political and
and promoted to brigadier general. economic situation with the rank of.
He later commanded that division ambassador and, in 1961, President
as well as the 90th, spearheading John F. Kennedy called upon him
the Third Army's attack to cut off for a study of the National Guard.
the Fortress Metz and the crossings and Special Forces.
of both the Moselle and Saar rivers He was also asked to represent
under heavy fire. Patton called the this country at the coronation of the,
crossings marvels and assigned Van Shah of Iran, whom he came to
Fleet to lead the counter-offensive know well, and at the Golden Jubi-
to free the trapped U.S. Army units lee of Emperor Haile Selassie of
at Bastonge, and he did, performing Ethiopia.
heroically and effectively in the The General does not know of.
Battle of the Bulge, the party just ahead, for it is being
On March 17, 1945, Gen. Van kept from him, but "I know it is
Fleet took command of the III what he would have wanted," said
Corps at the Remagen Bridge in daughter Dempsie.
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