1. General Alfred Maximilian Gruenther was a senior United States Army officer, Red Cross president, and bridge player.
15 Facts About Alfred Gruenther
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Alfred Gruenther attended St Thomas Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
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Alfred Gruenther was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery but after the Armistice he was recalled to West Point to complete his training, and graduated a second time in June 1919.
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Alfred Gruenther's performance was noticed by the Chief of Staff of the General Headquarters, United States Army, Lt.
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In October 1941, Alfred Gruenther was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and became deputy chief of staff and then chief of staff of the Third Army as a colonel under Lt.
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Alfred Gruenther was an adviser and planner to top generals in World War II.
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Alfred Gruenther possessed a strong power of analytical reasoning with capacity both to detail and overall perspective for which his colleagues called him "the Brain".
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In 1951, Alfred Gruenther was promoted to four-star general and appointed as the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe under Gen.
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Alfred Gruenther died of complications of pneumonia at Walter Reed Army Hospital on 30 May 1983, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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In 1922, Gruenther married Grace Elizabeth Crum of Jeffersonville, Indiana, who gave birth to two sons, Donald A Gruenther, and Richard L Gruenther; they both became career military officers.
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Alfred Gruenther was an honorary member of the National Laws Commission of the American Contract Bridge League.
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In 1952, Gruenther became the youngest four-star general in US history He is sometimes credited to be the youngest major general in the US Army in World War II, but that distinction belongs to James M Gavin, who, as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, was promoted to major general at the age of 37.
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Alfred Gruenther was featured on the cover of Time magazine on 6 February 1956.
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Alfred Gruenther appeared as a guest on the 10 February 1957, episode of the popular TV quiz show What's My Line and on the 10 March 1957, episode of Meet the Press.
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Alfred Gruenther was the recipient of many national medals, including the Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and honorary degrees from several American universities, including a Litt.