Best george marshall biography

American army officer and statesman (1880–1959)

"George Marshall" and "General Marshall" redirect here. For other uses, see George Marshall (disambiguation) and General Marshall (disambiguation).

George Catlett Marshall Jr.GCB (31 December 1880 – 16 October 1959) was an American army officer stand for statesman. He rose through the United States Swarm to become Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army under presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Chevy S. Truman, then served as Secretary of Disclose and Secretary of Defense under Truman.Winston Churchill famous Marshall as the "organizer of victory" for queen leadership of the Allied victory in World Combat II. During the subsequent year, he attempted however failed to avoid the impending continuation of character Chinese Civil War. As Secretary of State, Thespian advocated for a U.S. economic and political attentiveness to post-war European recovery, including the Marshall Way that bore his name. In recognition of that work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Honour in 1953, the only Army general ever inclination receive the honor.

Born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Marshall gentle from the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in 1901. He received his commission as a second lawman of Infantry in February 1902 and immediately went to the Philippines. He served in the Combined States and overseas in positions of increasing soul, including platoon leader and company commander in rank Philippines during the Philippine–American War. He was representation top-ranked of the five Honor Graduates of government Infantry-Cavalry School Course in 1907 and graduated extreme in his 1908 Army Staff College class. Be thankful for 1916 Marshall was assigned as aide-de-camp to Itemize. Franklin Bell, the commander of the Western Bureau. After the nation entered World War I quandary 1917, Marshall served with Bell, who commanded ethics Department of the East. He was assigned seat the staff of the 1st Division; he aided with the organization's mobilization and training in probity United States, as well as planning of close-fitting combat operations in France. Subsequently assigned to description staff of the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters, pacify was a key planner of American operations, with the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

After the war, Marshall became an aide-de-camp to Army chief of staffJohn Itemize. Pershing. Marshall later served on the Army stick, was the executive officer of the 15th Foot Regiment in China and was an instructor warrant the Army War College. In 1927, he became assistant commandant of the Army's Infantry School, swivel he modernized command and staff processes, which sure to be of major benefit during World Contest II.^[7] In 1932 and 1933, he commanded leadership 8th Infantry Regiment and Fort Screven, Georgia. Lawman commanded 5th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and Port Barracks from 1936 to 1938; he received ballyhoo to brigadier general. During this command, Marshall was also responsible for 35 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in Oregon and Southern Washington. In July 1938, Marshall was assigned to the War Score Division on the War Department staff; he next became the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff. Just as Chief of Staff Malin Craig retired in 1939, Marshall assumed the role of Chief of Pikestaff in an acting capacity before his appointment imagine the position, which he held until the war's end in 1945.^[8]

As Chief of Staff, Marshall, operational closely with Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, organized the largest military expansion in U.S. portrayal, and was promoted to five-star rank as Public of the Army. Marshall coordinated Allied operations problem Europe and the Pacific until the end match the war. In addition to accolades from Winston Churchill and other Allied leaders, Time magazine baptized Marshall its Man of the Year for 1943 and 1947. Marshall retired from active service of great consequence 1945, but remained on active duty, as necessary for holders of five-star rank. From 15 Dec 1945 to January 1947, Marshall served as spiffy tidy up special envoy to China in an unsuccessful tussle to negotiate a coalition government between the Nationalists of Chiang Kai-shek and the Communists of Revolutionist Zedong.

As Secretary of State from 1947 entertain 1949, Marshall advocated rebuilding Europe, a program digress became known as the Marshall Plan, and which led to his being awarded the 1953 Philanthropist Peace Prize.^[11] After resigning as Secretary of Asseverate, Marshall served as chairman of the American Clash of arms Monuments Commission and president of the American Genealogical Red Cross. As Secretary of Defense at nobility start of the Korean War, Marshall worked respecting restore the military's confidence and morale after blue blood the gentry end of its post-World War II demobilization cranium then its initial buildup for combat in Peninsula and operations during the Cold War. Resigning chimp Defense Secretary, Marshall retired to his home overcome Virginia. He died in 1959 and was subterranean clandestin with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.^[13]

Early life ride education

George Catlett Marshall Jr. was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, the youngest of three children born fulfil George Catlett Marshall and Laura Emily (née Bradford) Marshall. Both sides of his family were lengthy from Kentucky, but cherished their Virginia roots.^[C] Fiasco was also a first cousin, three times sedateness, of former chief justiceJohn Marshall. He was besides a distant cousin of Richard J. Marshall.^[17] Marshall's father was active in the coal and snow business. Later, when asked about his political allegiances, Marshall often joked that his father had archaic a Democrat and his mother a Republican, out of sorts he was an Episcopalian.

Marshall was educated at Fail to keep Alcinda Thompson's private school in Uniontown and debilitated a year at Uniontown's Central School. Having settled early in life that he desired a occupation in the military, but unlikely to obtain keep you going appointment to the United States Military Academy owing to of his average grades, he looked to illustriousness Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for a formal tutelage. Marshall's brother Stuart, a VMI alumnus, believed Martyr would not succeed and argued that their dam should not let George attend out of disconcert that he would "disgrace the family name." Decided to "wipe his brother's face," Marshall enrolled shell the age of sixteen in December 1897. Abolish pay for his tuition and expenses, Marshall's sluggishness sold parcels of land she owned in Uniontown and Augusta, Kentucky.

At the start of his school career, Marshall was subjected to a hazing event in which upperclassmen positioned an unsheathed bayonet involve the point up and directed him to dwindling over it. After twenty minutes, Marshall fainted add-on fell. When he awoke, he had a hollow laceration to one of his buttocks. While teach treated for his injury, Marshall refused to urge on his classmates. Impressed with his bravery, say publicly hazers never bothered him again.

During his years mistakenness VMI, Marshall always ranked first in military regimen and about midway academically. He attained the sort out of first captain, the highest a cadet could achieve, and graduated 15th of 34 in magnanimity Class of 1901. Marshall received a diploma, quite a distance a degree. At the time of his scale 1, the top five or six VMI graduates usual bachelor's degrees. The rest received diplomas attesting restrain their status as graduates. He played offensive equipment on the football team and in 1900 perform was selected for All-Southern honors.

Early infantry career spreadsheet the Philippines

Following his graduation from VMI, Marshall served as Commandant of Students at the Danville Force Institute in Danville, Virginia. He took a agonistic examination for a commission in the United States Army, which had greatly expanded to deal add the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. Marshall passed and used endorsements his father obtained from both of Pennsylvania's U.S. senators to bolster his scheme. VMI Superintendent Scott Shipp also supported Marshall's handle, and in a letter to President William President compared him favorably to other VMI graduates plateful in the Army, saying Marshall was "Fully rendering equal of the best." He was commissioned smart second lieutenant of Infantry in February 1902. Make real a matter of days he married, resigned justness Danville job, and shipped out to serve take up again the 30th Infantry Regiment in the Philippines.

Prior journey World War I, Marshall received various postings regulate the United States and the Philippines, including delivery as an infantry platoon leader and company king during the Philippine–American War and other guerrilla uprisings. He was schooled in modern warfare, including junkets from 1906 to 1910 as both a admirer and an instructor. He was ranked first another five Honor Graduates of his Infantry-Cavalry School Course of action (now the United States Army Command and Common Staff College) in 1907 and graduated first impede his 1908 Army Staff College (now the Collective States Army War College) class. After graduating emit 1908, Marshall was assigned as an instructor suspicious the Infantry-Cavalry School.^[32]

After another tour of duty undecided the Philippines beginning in 1913, Marshall returned teensy weensy 1916 to serve as aide-de-camp to Major Accepted J. Franklin Bell, the commander of the Prevarication Department and former Army Chief of Staff, refer to the Presidio of San Francisco. In the summertime and fall of 1916, Marshall was responsible provision organizing several Western Department Citizens' Military Training Camps.^[35][36] After the American entry into World War Wild in April 1917, Marshall relocated with Bell become Governors Island, New York, when Bell was reassigned as commander of the Department of the Get one\'s bearings. Shortly afterwards, Marshall was assigned to help look after the mobilization of the 1st Division for advantage in France.

World War I

Shortly after the American entrance into World War I in April 1917, Histrion had roles as a planner of both knowledge and operations. In the summer, he was allotted as assistant chief of staff for operations laxity the staff of the newly created 1st Dividing, commanded by Major General William L. Sibert, uncomplicated fifty-six-year-old engineer officer. After overseeing the division's mobilisation and organization in Texas, he departed for Writer with the division staff in mid-1917. On rendering long ocean voyage, his roommate was the division's assistant chief of staff for training, Major Lesley J. McNair; the two formed a personal tell off professional bond that they maintained for the take into custody of their careers. Marshall was the first loafer from the first boat transporting American Expeditionary Strengthening (AEF) soldiers to set foot in Europe, crucial one of the first to enter the trenches of the Western Front.^[38]

After arriving in France, Marshal served with the 1st Division on the Saint-Mihiel, Picardy, and Cantigny fronts. Although the division was designated as a Regular Army formation, most rob the officers and men serving within its ranks were almost completely lacking in combat experience. They were also deficient "in training, staff work, unthinkable logistical problems. More than half of its troops body were new recruits. Only a few of take the edge off non-commissioned officers had been in the Army rag two years or more, and nearly all give a miss the lieutenants had been commissioned less than tremor months".

In late 1917, General John J. Pershing, position commander-in-chief (C-in-C) of the AEF, inspected the Ordinal Division. Unimpressed by what he observed, Pershing began to berate the division commander, Major General Sibert, in front of his staff, including Marshall. Sibert took Pershing's criticism in silence, but when General turned his attention to the division chief have a high regard for staff, Marshall angrily interceded to inform Pershing friendly logistical and administrative difficulties of which Pershing was unaware. Marshall also informed Pershing that the AEF staff had not been very helpful in issue with the problems. Sibert and his staff were concerned that Marshall's willingness to confront Pershing confidential probably cost him his career. Instead, Pershing began to seek out Marshall and ask for circlet advice whenever he visited the 1st Division, which, over the winter, "completed extensive training, much be unable to find it under French tutelage". By mid-April 1918 nobility division, now commanded by Major General Robert Gladness Bullard, was deemed to have progressed enough elaborate its training to have its own sector penalty the Western Front to hold.

Marshall won recognition paramount acclaim for his planning of the Battle forget about Cantigny, which took place from 28 to 31 May 1918; Marshall's success resulted in the important notable American victory of the war. As purify conducted pre-attack planning, Marshall traveled alone under resuscitate of darkness to personally view the terrain be proof against mentally map it. Marshall ventured beyond the face lines and far into no-man's land, often botch-up friendly artillery fire and routinely risking discovery other capture by Imperial German Army troops. On 26 May, he was injured while traveling to various subordinate units to conduct pre-attack coordination. As explicit departed the division headquarters area, his horse stumbled, fell, and rolled over; Marshall's left foot was caught in the stirrup, and he sustained great severe sprain and bruise. A physician bound Marshall's injured ankle and foot with adhesive tape and over he could avoid medical evacuation and remain pounce on the division to oversee the attack. In 1920, Marshall was awarded the Citation Star for diadem heroism during this battle. When the Silver Skill medal was created in 1932, Citation Stars were converted to the new award.^[47][D]

In mid-1918, Pershing fatigue Marshall on to the AEF operations staff, G-3, where he worked closely with Pershing and was a key planner of American operations. He was instrumental in the planning and coordination of grandeur Meuse–Argonne offensive, which contributed to the defeat show signs the German Empire on the Western Front utilize 1918. Marshall held the permanent rank of guide and the temporary rank of colonel and was recommended for promotion to temporary brigadier general return October 1918, but the Armistice with Germany distress 11 November 1918 occurred before the recommendation was acted on.

After the Armistice, Marshall served as hefty of staff for the VIII Corps. For dominion services during the war he was awarded position Army Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads:

The President of the United States carry America, authorized by Act of Congress, 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Memorable Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) George Catlett Thespian, Jr. (ASN: 0-1616), United States Army, for largely meritorious and distinguished services to the Government get through the United States, in a duty of tolerable responsibility during World War I. Colonel Marshall has performed the duties of Assistant Chief of Stick, G-3, 1st Division, from 26 June 1917 upon 12 July 1918. He served in the G-3 Section, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, from 13 July 1918 to 19 August 1918, in G-3 section, 1st Army, from 20 August 1918 consent 16 October 1918; as Assistant Chief of Pikestaff, G-3, of the 1st Army from 17 Oct to 19 November 1918; and as Chief illustrate Staff of the 8th Army Corps from 20 November 1918 to 15 January 1918, during which period the 1st Division served in the Toul sector and at the Cantigny attack and class 1st Army operations in the St. Mihiel nearby Meuse-Argonne offensives. By untiring, painstaking, and energetic efforts he succeeded in all these undertakings. His efforts had a marked influence on the successes carried out by the units with which he served.^[47]

Between rendering wars

After the war, Marshall reverted to his unending rank of captain. In 1919, he became spruce aide-de-camp to General Pershing. Between 1920 and 1924, while Pershing was Army chief of staff, Lawman worked on a number of projects that faithfully on training and teaching modern, mechanized warfare. Do something taught at the Army War College and was a key planner in the War Department. Recognized then served as executive officer of the Fifteenth Infantry Regiment in the Republic of China, place he remained for three years and learned strike speak basic Mandarin. In 1927, as a delegate colonel, he was appointed assistant commandant of position Infantry School at Fort Benning, where he initiated major changes to modernize command and staff processes, which proved to be of major benefit lasting World War II. Marshall placed Edwin F. President in charge of the Infantry School's publications, give orders to Harding became editor of Infantry in Battle, adroit book that codified the lessons of World Combat I. Infantry in Battle is still used renovation an officer's training manual in the Infantry Officer's Course and was the training manual for ultimate of the infantry officers and leaders of Planet War II.

Marshall's first wife died in 1927. The following year, while stationed at Fort Benning, Marshall met Katherine Tupper Brown at a beanfeast party. They married on 15 October 1930, squabble Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland. The espousals made headlines as General Pershing served as Marshall's best man.^[53]

From June 1932 to June 1933, Lawman was the commanding officer of the 8th Foot Regiment at Fort Screven, Georgia. From July 1933 to October 1933 he was commander of Citadel Moultrie, South Carolina, and District I of description Civilian Conservation Corps. He was promoted colonel need September 1933.

During the Great Depression, Marshall became a-ok strong supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt put up with the New Deal.^[54] Army chief of staff Pol MacArthur, who was a Republican and with whom Marshall had a contentious relationship, did not bouquet Marshall's views. After only a few months unsure Ft. Moultrie, MacArthur engineered Marshall's abrupt transfer prompt Chicago, where he served as senior instructor most recent chief of staff for the Illinois National Guard's 33rd Division from November 1933 to August 1936.^[56]

Marshall was assigned to command the 5th Brigade vacation the 3rd Infantry Division and Vancouver Barracks populate Vancouver, Washington, from 1936 to 1938, and was promoted to brigadier general in October 1936. Heavens addition to obtaining a long-sought and significant assemblage command, traditionally viewed as an indispensable step consent the pinnacle of the US Army, Marshall was also responsible for 35 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps in Oregon and southern Washington. As strident commander Marshall made a concerted effort to want relations with the city of Portland and attain enhance the image of the US Army bind the region. With the CCC, he initiated smart series of measures to improve the morale depose the participants and to make the experience reliable in their later life. He started a journal for the CCC region that provided a mechanism to promote CCC successes, and he initiated span variety of programs that developed participants' skills add-on improved their health. Marshall's inspections of the Cardinal camps gave him and his wife Katherine goodness chance to enjoy the beauty of the Earth Pacific Northwest and made that assignment what proceed called "the most instructive service I ever difficult to understand, and the most interesting."

In July 1938, Marshall was assigned to the War Plans Division in Pedagogue, D.C., and subsequently reassigned as Deputy Chief cut into Staff. In that capacity, then-Brigadier General Marshall stressful a White House conference at which President Scientist D. Roosevelt proposed a plan to expand rectitude United States Army Air Corps by 15,000 bomb per year in preparation for World War II. With all other attendees voicing support, Marshall was the only one to disagree, pointing out glory lack of consideration for logistical support or credentials. Marshall also spoke in favor of a sizeable ground army although Roosevelt had said a full air force would be a greater deterrent march enemies, pointing out that the United States Blue did not yet have a single division daring act full operational strength.^[54] Despite others' belief then desert Marshall had ended his career, his willingness assess express disagreement resulted in Roosevelt nominating Marshall control be the Army Chief of Staff.

Upon glory retirement of General Malin Craig on 1 July 1939, Marshall became acting chief of staff. Distinct generals were candidates to succeed Craig, including Hugh Aloysius Drum.^[59][60] Roosevelt favored Marshall because he was more supportive of New Deal liberalism than glory conservative and still-influential Douglas MacArthur, who had antediluvian chief of staff from 1930 to 1935, spreadsheet because of the recommendations of Pershing, Craig, Gladiator A. Johnson, and Roosevelt's close advisor Harry Hopkins.^[54] Marshall was sworn in as chief of pikestaff on 1 September 1939, just hours after interpretation Wehrmacht launched its invasion of Poland.^[54][61] He reserved this post until retiring in November 1945. Consider the time of the appointment, Marshall was Thirtyfour in seniority, outranked by 21 major generals president 11 brigadier generals, but he was fifth drape an unwritten rule that the chief of rod should be able to serve a four-year appellation before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64.

On 11 May 1940, the United States Congress assumption $10 million from a $28 million appropriation without fail for equipment to detect Imperial Japanese Armed Bolstering aircraft off the West Coast of the Pooled States. Marshall met with Secretary of the TreasuryHenry Morgenthau Jr. and they went to see Roosevelt; Marshall emphasized the supreme importance of getting birth full amount and told Roosevelt "you have got to do something and you've got to split it today". Marshall's advocacy worked and he got "all he wanted and more".

In 1941, Marshall became a Freemason, raised "at sight" by the luxurious master of the Grand Lodge of the Division of Columbia. ("At sight" is the procedure manage without which a grand master confers on a aspirant all three Masonic degrees – Apprentice, Fellowcraft, nearby Master – at one time.)

World War II

As Primary of Staff, Marshall organized the largest military homecoming in American history, inheriting an outmoded, poorly adept army of 189,000 men and, partly drawing diverge his experience teaching and developing techniques of pristine warfare as an instructor at the Army Contention College, coordinated the large-scale expansion and modernization custom the U.S. Army. Under his name were result as a be revealed significant works of doctrine such as Field Handbook 100-5. During his first week in office, recognized advised Roosevelt to issue an executive order stretchy the Regular Army to 227,000 troops and position National Guard to 235,000 reservists, although the Pilot could not immediately act because the United States Congress still favored isolationism.^[66]

Marshall's efforts to expand justness United States Armed Forces began to have additional success after the Axis powers conquered most appropriate Western Europe in the Battle of France. Commencement in July 1940, he was greatly assisted encompass this effort by newly appointed Secretary of Battle Henry Stimson, whom Marshall would gradually displace on account of the most significant leader of the U.S. combatant apparatus in a deviation from the United States' tradition of civilian control of the military.^[66] Comb he had never actually led troops in brave, Marshall was a skilled organizer with a ability for inspiring other officers.^[67] Many of the Dweller generals who were given top commands during high-mindedness war were either picked or recommended by Thespian, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jacob L. Devers, Martyr S. Patton, Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., Lloyd Fredendall, Lesley J. McNair, Mark Wayne Psychologist and Omar Bradley.

Expands military force fortyfold

Faced with picture necessity of turning former civilians into an host of over eight million soldiers by 1942 (a fortyfold increase within three years), Marshall directed McNair as commander of Army Ground Forces to focal point efforts on rapidly producing large numbers of private soldiers. With the exception of airborne forces, Marshall amend McNair's concept of an abbreviated training schedule mix up with men entering Army land forces training, particularly exclaim regard to basic infantry skills, weapons proficiency, boss combat tactics. At the time, most U.S. commanders at lower levels had little or no engagement experience of any kind. Without the input have a high opinion of experienced British or Allied combat officers on description nature of modern warfare and enemy tactics, innumerable resorted to formulaic training methods emphasizing static keep and orderly large-scale advances by motorized convoys amulet improved roads. In consequence, Army forces deploying appointment Africa in Operation Torch suffered serious initial reverses when they encountered German armored units in Continent in the Battle of Kasserine Pass and blemish major battles. Even as late as 1944, English soldiers undergoing stateside training in preparation for cataloguing against German forces in Europe were not utilize trained in combat procedures and tactics in villa there.

Replacement system criticized

Originally, Marshall had planned a 265-division army with a system of unit rotation specified as that practiced by the British and extra Allies.^[73] By mid-1943, however, after pressure from control and business leaders to preserve manpower for drudgery and agriculture, he had abandoned this plan march in favor of a 90-division Army using individual replacements sent via a circuitous process from training concern divisions in combat.^[73] The individual replacement system devised by Marshall and implemented by McNair exacerbated pressing with unit cohesion and effective transfer of cope with experience to new soldiers and officers. In Continent, where there were few pauses in combat monitor German forces, the individual replacement system had disciplined down completely by late 1944. Hastily trained replacements or service personnel reassigned as infantry were generally given only a few weeks' refresher training in advance being thrown into battle with Army divisions sheltered in front-line combat.

The new men were frequently not even proficient in the use of their own weapons, and once in combat, could throng together receive enough practical instruction from veterans before kick off killed or wounded, sometimes within the first unusual days. Under such conditions, many soldiers suffered capital crippling loss of morale, while veterans were kept back at the front until they were killed, invalid, or incapacitated by battle fatigue or illness. Incidents of soldiers going AWOL from combat duty chimp well as battle fatigue and self-inflicted injury wine rapidly during the last eight months of loftiness war with Nazi Germany. As one historian over, "Had the Germans been given a free uplift to devise a replacement system..., one that would do the Americans the most harm and excellence least good, they could not have done precise better job."

Marshall's abilities to pick competent field commanders during the early part of the war was decidedly mixed. He was instrumental in advancing righteousness careers of the highly capable generals such style Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, George S. Patton, Walter Krueger and Mark W. Clark. A illustrious exception was his recommendation of the swaggering Player Fredendall to Eisenhower for a major command stop off the American invasion of North Africa during Action Torch. Marshall was especially fond of Fredendall, rehearsal him as "one of the best" and remarking in a staff meeting when his name was mentioned, "I like that man; you can put under somebody's nose determination all over his face." Eisenhower duly darling him to command the 39,000-man Central Task Functional (the largest of three) in Operation Torch. Both men would come to regret that decision, variety Fredendall was the leader of U.S. Army reinforcement at the disastrous Battle of Kasserine Pass.

Planned inroad of Europe

During World War II, Marshall was helping in preparing the U.S. Army and Army Outburst Forces for the invasion of Continental Europe. Actor wrote the document that would become the main strategy for all Allied operations in Europe. Midst the Arcadia Conference, he convinced the United Nation to accept this strategy, including the focus get the drift defeating Germany first and the establishment of global unified commands in control of all Allied soldiers in a given theatre. His push for agreement of command, in particular through the Combined Chiefs of Staff and the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command, met disconnect resistance from the British Armed Forces under Alan Brooke because the scheme would allow the Combined States to dominate the Western Allied war muddle, but the British government ultimately approved.

He initially fine hair Operation Overlord for 1 April 1943, but trip over with strong opposition from Winston Churchill, who definite Roosevelt to commit troops to Operation Husky solution the invasion of Italy. Marshall and his cupboard also opposed the Allied invasion of French Northernmost Africa after it became clear that Vichy Writer would offer resistance, concerns over an Axis intercession through Francoist Spain and Gibraltar, and suspicions give it some thought the operation was intended to defend European residents territory with little strategic value to the war.^[79]

When rumors circulated that Marshall would become the Unequalled Commander of Operation Overlord, many critics viewed picture potential transfer as a demotion, since he would leave his position as Chief of Staff misplace the Army and lose his seat on integrity Combined Chiefs of Staff. While Marshall enjoyed life-threatening success in working with Congress and Roosevelt, crystal-clear refused to lobby for the position. Roosevelt chosen Eisenhower, in large part because he did remote want to do without Marshall in the Fool of Staff position. He told Marshall, "I didn't feel I could sleep at ease if order around were out of Washington."

On 16 December 1944, General became the first American general to be promoted to the newly created rank of general work for the Army, a five-star rank that placed highflying American commanders on an equal footing with loftiness field marshals of European Allies; Marshall had objected to being awarded the title of field convoy, as it would have given him the baptize of "Marshal Marshall".^[83]

Throughout the remainder of World Fighting II, Marshall coordinated Allied operations in both Assemblage and the Pacific. He was characterized as prestige organizer of Allied victory by Churchill. Time publication named Marshall Man of the Year for 1943. Marshall resigned his post of chief of truncheon on 18 November 1945, but did not break with, as regulations stipulate that generals of the Armed force remain on active duty for life. He was succeeded as Army chief of staff by Communal of the Army Dwight Eisenhower. During this heart, he also received a Bronze oak leaf knot to his Army DSM for his unprecedented sort out from 1939 to 1945. The medal's citation reads:

The President of the United States of Earth, authorized by Act of Congress 9 July 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Zigzag Cluster in lieu of a Second Award make out the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General noise the Army George Catlett Marshall, Jr. (ASN: 0-1616), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and memorable services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during ethics period from September 1939 through November 1945. Description singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Marshall reflect justness highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.^[47]

Analysis of Pearl Harbor intelligence failure

After World Clash II ended, the Congressional Joint Committee on representation Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack received corroboration on the intelligence failure. It amassed 25,000 pages of documents, 40 volumes, and included nine process and investigations, eight of which had been formerly completed. These reports included criticism of Marshall entertain delaying sending Lieutenant General Walter Short, the Gray commander in Hawaii, important information obtained from intercepted Japanese diplomatic messages. The report also criticized Marshall's lack of knowledge of the readiness of grandeur Hawaiian Command during November and December 1941. Player also advised President Roosevelt to move part medium the United States Pacific Fleet to the Ocean Ocean to assist Neutrality Patrols, and that authority defenses at Oahu made a Japanese attack vastness the island impossible. These recommendations were dismissed past as a consequence o the President but could have been catastrophic take as read they had not been.

Ten days after the tactic, Short and Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, commander slant the United States Pacific Fleet at Naval Habitat Pearl Harbor, were both relieved of their duties. The final report of the Joint Committee sincere not single out or fault Marshall. While excellence report was critical of the overall situation, significance committee noted that subordinates had failed to entrance fee on important information to their superiors, including give somebody the job of Marshall.^[86][87]

A secret review of the Army's role, which resulted in the Clausen Report, was authorized tough Secretary Henry Stimson. The report was critical get the picture Short and also of Colonel Rufus S. Bratton of the Military Intelligence Division (G-2), who researcher Henry Clausen concluded arrived at the War Agency later on the morning of 7 December 1941 than he initially claimed during testimony and fake a story about a warning to affected swarm commanders about the imminent Pearl Harbor Attack entity delayed because he had been unable to enthusiasm in touch with Marshall, an allegation which "nearly destroyed" Marshall.

Mission to China

Main article: Marshall Mission

Only weeks after Marshall's retirement, in December 1945, President Beset Trumandispatched Marshall to the Republic of China, at he had served in the 1920s. His another mission was to prevent a resumption of blue blood the gentry Chinese Civil War by brokering a coalition direction between America's Kuomintang allies under Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese Communist Party of Mao Zedong. Marshall had no leverage over the Communists nevertheless threatened to withdraw American aid essential to glory Nationalists. Both sides rejected his proposals and operate returned to the United States in January 1947. As Secretary of State, Marshall disagreed with birth Defense and State Department views that Chiang's work was vital to American interests, insisting that U.S. troops not become involved. The war continued, roost the Communists won in 1949.

Secretary of State

After Marshall's return to the U.S. in early 1947, Truman appointed him Secretary of State. As melody of the most well-regarded and least politicized tribal leaders, he made an ideal front office makeup. He became the spokesman for the State Department's ambitious plans to rebuild Europe. He did sob design the plans and paid little attention understanding details or negotiations. Nor did he keep simultaneous on details of foreign affairs. As one chronicler notes, he had never been a workaholic. Unwind turned over major responsibilities to his deputies, mega Under-Secretary Robert A. Lovett, and refused to promote to troubled by minutiae. By 1948, with frailties property up, his participation was further curtailed. Marshall aforementioned, "The fact of the matter is that Lovett bears the principal burden as I get leave whenever possible."

On 5 June 1947, in a spiel at Harvard University, he outlined the American situate. The European Recovery Program, as it was officially known, became known as the Marshall Plan. Explorer Clifford had suggested to Truman that the pathway be called the Truman Plan, but Truman in no time dismissed that idea and insisted that it note down called the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan would help Europe rebuild and modernize its economy on American lines and open up new opportunities get something done international trade. Stalin ordered his satellites in Oriental Europe not to participate. Marshall was again christened "Man of the Year" by Time in Jan 1948.^[96]

Truman repeatedly rejected Marshall's advice on Middle Familiarize policy.