Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Robert
Lawrence
Eichelberger
March 9, 1886

–

September 26, 1961

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Robert Eichelberger graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1909. He was Superintendent of the Academy from 1940 to 1942, before entering combat that established him as a legendary U.S. Army Commander. He retired as a U.S. Army General in 1948.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    I Corps

    Action Date:

    August 25, 1942 – January 23, 1943

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States 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.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    June 1945 – August 1948
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 71 (October 29, 1948)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    8th Army

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, for gallantry in action while Commanding the EIGHTH U.S. Army, in action against the enemy during the advance on Manila, Philippine Islands, in January 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant General Eichelberger, 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (General Staff Corps)

    Regiment:

    General Staff Corps

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces (Siberia)

    Action Date:

    June 28 – July 3, 1919
    War Department, General Orders No. 9 (1923)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (General Staff Corps) Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Division:

    8th Army

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, for gallantry in action while Commanding the EIGHTH U.S. Army, in action against the enemy in the Philippine Islands, in 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant General Eichelberger, 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    77th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    1942

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 77th Infantry Division in 1942.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General
    War Department, General Orders No. 84 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 53 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General (General Staff Corps)

    Division:

    I Corps

    Action Date:

    July 23, 1942 – January 8, 1943
    Headquarters, Southwest Pacific Area, General Orders No. 5 (January 11, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant General (General Staff Corps) Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as Commanding General, I Corps (Buna Sector), 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, extraordinary heroism, 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.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    Intelligence Service

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces (Siberia)

    Action Date:

    Siberian Intervention
    War Department, General Orders No. 56 (1922)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Robert Lawrence Eichelberger (ASN: 0-2624), United States Army, 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.