Eichelberger, Robert Lawrence

Date of birth:: March 9th, 1886 (Urbana/Ohio, United States)
Date of death:: September 26th, 1961 (Asheville/North Carolina, United States)
Buried on:: Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 2. Grave: 4737-C-L.
Service number:: 0-2624
Nationality:: American

Biography

Robert Eichelberger was born at Urbana, Ohio. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy as Lieutenant in 1909. His first assignments were Panama and the Mexican border and joined the American Expeditionary Force Siberia for assignment to Siberia from 1918 to 1920. Here he observed the Japanese entering Siberia and studied their Military strategy. For bravery in this Expeditionary Force he received his first Distinguished Service Cross. The Japanes awarded im the Imperial Order of Meji, the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Order of the Rising Sun. After the Siberian conflict he was appointed to service in the Philippines and in China. After returning to the United States he attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. In October 1940 he was promoted to Major.
In 1940 he was appointed as Superintendent to the Military Academy, but was called to active duty in 1942. He was appointed Commanding General of the U.S. Ist Corps and left for Australia in 1942. In October 1942 he was promoted to Lieutenant General. When the U.S. 32nd Infantry Division prooved ineffective at New Guinea, he was send to command that unit. He rigurously changed various chaines of command and reformed the division. In early 1943 het led the Australian-United States Advanced New Guinea Force to victory over hte Japanes at Buna. In 1944 he led his units victoriouslt at Hollandia, Biak and Dutch New Guinea. When the U.S. invasion of the Philippines was eminent he led the newly formed 8th Army in clearing the island Mindoro, Marinduque, Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol. In July 1945 the Japanese were defeated at Mindanao.
In August 1945, Eichelberger led his troops as an occupation force of mainland Japan and was responsible to revieuw the sentences passed to Class B and Class C war criminals at Yokohama. Eichelberger retired in September 1948 and was honory promoted to full General in 1954. He died at Asheville, North Carolina on 26th September 1961 and was buried with full military honor at the Arlington National Cemetery.

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Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Russian Civil War (1917-1922)
Rank:: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:: General Staff Corps, American Expeditionary Forces Siberia (AEFS), U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1923

"For extraordinary heroism while serving on the General Staff Corps, A.E.F. (Siberia), in action in Siberia, from 28 June to 3 July 1919, while serving as assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, American Expeditionary Forces, Siberia. On 2 July 1919, after the capture by American troops of Novitskaya, an American platoon detailed to clear hostile patrols from a commanding ridge was halted by enemy enfilading fire, seriously wounding the members of the patrol. Colonel Eichelberger, without regard to his own safety and armed with a rifle, voluntarily covered the withdrawal of the platoon. On 28 June at the imminent danger of his own life, he entered the partisan lines and effected the release of one American officer and three enlisted men in exchange for a Russian prisoner. On 3 July an American column being fired upon when debouching from a mountain pass, Colonel Eichelberger voluntarily assisted in establishing the firing line, prevented confusion, and, by his total disregard for his own safety, raised the morale of the American forces to a high pitch."

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Russian Civil War (1917-1922)
Rank:: Lieutenant Colonel
Unit:: Intelligence Service, American Expeditionary Forces Siberia (AEFS), U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1922

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the intervention in Siberia during World War I. As Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, with the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia, Lieutenant Colonel Eichelberger organized and directed the Intelligence Service of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia in a most able manner and under most trying circumstances. By his keen foresight, discriminating judgment, and brilliant professional attainments, exercised through his efficiently established organization, he was able to keep his Commanding General well and fully informed at all times. His tireless energy and his keen insight into local conditions gave him a masterful grasp of the situation, which contributed materially to the success of the forces in Siberia. He rendered most conspicuous services of inestimable value to the Government in a position of great responsibility."

War Department, General Orders No. 56

Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: Commanding General, HQ, 77th Infantry Division "Statue of Liberty", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: January 11th, 1943

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, in action against enemy forces in New Guinea, during the Papuan Campaign, 23 July 1942, to 8 January 1943. As Commanding General, 77th Infantry Division, General Eichelberger displayed extraordinary courage, marked efficiency and precise execution of operations during the Papuan Campaign. His gallant leadership, intrepid actions, 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 77th Infantry Division, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 5.
This award was obtained in the form of an Oak Leave to be attached on the ribbon of the first award.

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Awarded on:: 1944

War Department, General Orders No. 84
--
Second DSM received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu.

Grootofficier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.2x)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: Eighth Army, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: February 24th, 1945

Royal degree no. 7

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

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

War Department, General Orders No. 53
--
Third DSM received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu.

Silver Star Medal (SSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: I Corps, U.S. Army
Awarded on:: 1945

Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 343

Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Awarded on:: October 29th, 1947

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commanding General Allied Land Forces of Occupation Japan, during the period from June 1945 to August 1948."

Department of the Army, General Orders No. 71
--
Fourth DSM received as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in Lieu.

Distinguished Service Medal - Navy/USMC

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant General
Unit:: I Corps, U.S. Army

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, FIRST Corps, during the Papuan Campaign, Southeastern New Guinea, from 25 August 1942 to 23 January 1943. By his professional skill, resolute leadership, and brilliant military tactics during the early period of critical offensive operations in this Japanese-controlled area, General Eichelberger contributed to the effectiveness of the Allied drive to force the enemy from strategically occupied territory and to the overall success of our war against Japan. His gallant conduct throughout the Papuan Campaign reflects the highest credit upon General Eichelberger and the United States Armed Forces."