Ridgway, Matthew Bunker

Date of birth:: March 3rd, 1895 (Fort Monroe/Virginia, United States)
Date of death:: July 26th, 1993 (Fox Chapel/Pennsylvania, United States)
Buried on:: Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 7. Grave: 8196-1.
Service number:: 0-5264
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: September 11th, 1943
Awarded for:: Operation Husky

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 9 June 1943 during the invasion of Sicily. Major General Ridgway Ridgway's paratroopers participated in the first major airborne assault conducted at night by any army. His heroic leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 24 (11 September 1943).

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: July 19th, 1944
Awarded for:: Operation Overlord

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 82d Airborne Division, in action against the enemy from 6 June 1944 to 9 June 1944, in France. Major General Ridgway jumped by parachute at approximately 0200 prior to the dawn of "D" Day and landed about 3/4 mile northeast of *****,(deleted for reasons of security) France, to spearhead the parachute landing assault of his Airborne Division on the ****. Throughout "D" Day, he visited every point in the then surrounded area in order to evaluate the opposition and to encourage his men. He penetrated to the front of every active sector without thought of the personal danger involved. He exposed himself continuously to small arms, mortar and artillery fire; as, by his presence and through words of encouragement, he greatly assisted and personally directed the operations of one of his battalions in the important task of securing the bridgehead across the ***** River, which required a frontal assault against strongly entrenched enemy positions. His personal bravery and his heroism were deciding factors in the success of his unit in France. Major General Ridgway's gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 35 (19 July 1944).
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be worn on the ribbon of the first award.

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division from 15 August 1942 to 27 August 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ridgway and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army."

War Department, General Orders No. 20

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Market Garden

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division, at Eindhoven, Holland, during the period from 17 to 19 September 1944. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army."

Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 199

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division, at the Elbe River, in Germany, on 30 April 1945. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army."

War Department, General Orders No. 20 - awarded as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, XVIII Airborne Corps, First Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1947

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, from 1944 to 1945."

War Department, General Orders No. 58 (1947) - awarded as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Korean War (1950-1953)
Rank:: General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, Eighth Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: May 29th, 1952

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Commanding General of the VIII Army from December 1950 to May 1952."

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 54 - awarded as second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Grand Croix de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: General
Awarded on:: 1953

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Rank:: General
Unit:: Chief of staff of the Army (CSA), U.S. Department of the Army, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Government
Awarded on:: July 1st, 1955

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, culminating as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 30 May 1952 to 29 June 1955."

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 47 - awarded as third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: 1986

"Heroes come when they are needed. Great men step forward when courage seems in short supply. WWII was such a time, and there was Ridgway."

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 82nd Airborne Division "All American", U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 82d Airborne Division from 1942 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ridgway and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army."

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, XVIII Airborne Corps, First Army, U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps, from 1944 to 1945."

Awarded as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster