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Courtney H. Hodges

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General
Courtney Hicks Hodges
260px
Commander - First Army, ca. 1945
260px
Four Star General Officer Flag

Information

Basic Information
Born 05 January 1887
place of birth Perry, Houston County, Georgia
Died 15 January 1966 (aged 79)
Place of death Brooke Army Medical Center,
Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Cause of death Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Resting place Arlington National Cemetery
Spouse Mildred Lee Buchner
(m. 23 Jun 1928 - 15 Jan 1966; his death)
Nickname Court, High Gun Hodges
Personal Information
Nationality European American
Sex Male
Hair Color Brown (gray with age)
Eye Color Blue
Height 175 cm (5 foot 9 inches)
Religion Methodist Church
Military Info
Allegiance 40px United States of America
Branch 40px United States Army
Years/service USMA: 16 June 1904 - 17 June 1905;
Regular Army: 05 November 1906 - 31 January 1949
(43 years, 2 months, 29 days)
Service # Officer - 2686

Career Summary

Command or Organization Unit
Insignia 		Begin Date End Date Location
Civilian
Student — Perry High School 1900 1903 Perry, Georgia
Student — North Georgia Agricultural College 1903 1904 Dahlonega, Georgia
Cadet, 16 June 1904
Cadet — United States Military Academy 16 June 1904 17 June 1905 West Point, New York
Private - Sergeant, Infantry, 05 November 1906
Company "L"; ? Battalion; 17th Infantry 05 November 1906 12 November 1909 Fort McPherson, Georgia
20px Second Lieutenant, Infantry, 13 November 1909
13th Infantry 13 November 1909 01 September 1914 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas;
Fort William McKinley, Philippines
26th Infantry 23 September 1914 13 October 1914 Texas City, Texas
6th Infantry 13 October 1914 15 March 1916 El Paso, Texas
6th Infantry; Mexican Expedition 15 March 1916 — Mexico (various)
8px First Lieutenant, Infantry, 01 July 1916
6th Infantry; Mexican Expedition — 08 January 1917 see above
6th Infantry 08 January 1917 15 May 1917 El Paso, Texas
21px Captain, Infantry, 15 May 1917
51st Infantry 17 May 1917 24 August 1917 Chickamauga, Georgia
6th Infantry 24 August 1917 08 July 1918
22px Major, Infantry, 07 June 1918
Commanding Officer — 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry; 10th Infantry Brigade; 5th Division 08 July 1918 — France
22px Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, 31 October 1918
Commanding Officer — 3rd Battalion, 6th Infantry; 10th Infantry Brigade; 5th Division — 11 August 1918 see above
Commanding Officer — 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry; 10th Infantry Brigade; 5th Division [[File: 11 August 1918 09 November 1918
6th Infantry; 10th Infantry Brigade; 5th Division 01 December 1918 03 July 1918 Germany;
Luxembourg
22px Major, Infantry, 01 July 1920
Student Officer — Field Artillery School, Battery Commander's Course 1919 1920 Fort Sill, Oklahoma
◌ Tactics Instructor — United States Military Academy
◌ Commander — First Battalion; Corps of Cadets
◌ Tactical Officer — Company "L"; Corps of Cadets 		14 December 1920 01 September 1924 West Point, New York
Student Officer — Command and General Staff School 08 September 1924 19 June 1925 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Instructor — Infantry School 00 June 1925 00 June 1926 Fort Benning, Georgia
Infantry Tactics Instructor — Air Corps Tactical School 00 June 1926 00 August 1929 Langley Field, Virginia
Executive Officer — Fort Douglas 00 August 1929 00 November 1929 Fort Douglas, Utah
Member — Infantry Board 00 November 1929 15 August 1933 Fort Benning, Georgia
Student Officer — Army War College 18 August 1933 26 June 1934 Washington Barracks
Executive Officer — Headquarters, 7th Infantry; 5th Infantry Brigade; 3rd Division [[File: 26 June 1934 — Vancouver Barracks, Washington
22px Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, 01 October 1934 (temp. General Staff Corps, 03 May 1936 - 19 May 1938)
Executive Officer — Headquarters, 7th Infantry; 5th Infantry Brigade; 3rd Division [[File: — 00 May 1936 see above
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 — Headquarters, Philippine Division [[File: 03 May 1936 Unknown Fort William McKinley, Philippines
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3 — Headquarters, Philippine Department [[File: Unknown 19 May 1938
◌ Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School
◌ Member — Infantry Board 		00 July 1938 — Fort Benning, Georgia
27px Colonel, Infantry, 01 October 1938
◌ Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School
◌ Member — Infantry Board 		— — see above
U.S. Army General Flag (Brigadier General, plain).png Brigadier General, 02 April 1940
◌ Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School
◌ Member — Infantry Board 		— 07 October 1940 see above
◌ 9th Commandant of the Infantry School
◌ President — Infantry Board 		07 October 1940 03 March 1941
Assistant Chief of Infantry 00 March 1941 01 May 1941 Washington, D.C.
Interim Chief of Infantry 01 May 1941 31 May 1941
U.S. Army General Flag (Major General, plain).png Major General, Chief of Infantry, 31 May 1941
6th Chief of Infantry 31 May 1941 09 March 1942 Washington, D.C.
Commanding General — Headquarters, Replacement and School Command 09 March 1942 00 May 1942 Birmingham, Alabama
Commanding General — Headquarters, X Corps [[File: 16 May 1942 02 February 1943 Sherman, Texas
U.S. Army General Flag (Lieutenant General, plain).png Lieutenant General, 16 February 1943
◌ Commanding General — Headquarters, Third Army
◌ Commanding General — Headquarters, Southern Defense Command 		[[File: 16 February 1943 00 December 1943 Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Commanding General — Headquarters, Third Army 00 December 1943 25 January 1944
Deputy Commanding General — Headquarters, First Army [[File: 00 March 1944 31 July 1944 Bristol, England;
France;
Belgium
Commanding General — Headquarters, First Army 01 August 1944 — Belgium;
Germany
U.S. Army General Flag (General, plain).png General, 15 April 1945
Commanding General — Headquarters, First Army [[File: — 12 June 1946 Germany;
Fort Bragg, North Carolina;
Fort Jay, New York
◌ Commanding General — Headquarters, First Army
◌ Commanding General — Headquarters, First Army Area 		[[File: 12 June 1946 31 January 1949 Fort Jay, New York
U.S. Army General Flag (General, plain).png General, retired, 31 January 1949
Military Adviser to Sir Owen Dixon, United Nations mediator in the Kashmir dispute 16 June 1950 23 August 1950 Kashmir
Vice Chairman of the Texas United States Defense Fund Committee 16 August 1951 Unknown Dallas, Texas

Dates of Rank

Grade Rank Insignia Name Branch Appointment Age Service Date of Rank Accepted Years Spent
in Rank
Cadet 16 Jun 1904 - 17 Jun 1905 17 Regular Army 16 Jun 1904 16 Jun 1904 1 year
E-3 Private US Infantry (enlisted).png 05 Nov 1906 19 05 Nov 1906 05 Nov 1906 -
E-4 Corporal 01 Feb 1907 20 01 Feb 1907 01 Feb 1907 -
E-5 Sergeant 12 Jul 1907 20 12 Jul 1907 12 Jul 1907 2 years
O-1
2nd Lieutenant (US Infantry alternative).png
 2nd Lieutenant
60px
 13 Nov 1909 22 13 Nov 1909 13 Nov 1909 3 years
O-2
1st Lieutenant (US Infantry).png
 1st Lieutenant 01 Jul 1916 29 01 Jul 1916 01 Jul 1916 -
O-3
Captain (US Infantry).png
 Captain 15 May 1917 30 15 May 1917 15 May 1917 3 years
O-4
Major (US Infantry).png
 Major 07 Jun 1918 - 31 Oct 1918 31 National Army 07 Jun 1918 02 Sep 1918 -
O-5
Lieutenant Colonel (US Infantry).png
 Lieutenant Colonel 31 Oct 1918 - 13 Feb 1920 31 31 Oct 1918 17 Nov 1918 1 year
O-4
Major (US Infantry).png
 Major 01 Jul 1920 33 Regular Army 01 Jul 1920 01 Jul 1920 14 years
O-5
Lieutenant Colonel (US Infantry).png
 Lieutenant Colonel 01 Oct 1934 47 01 Oct 1934 01 Oct 1934 4 years
O-6
Colonel (US Infantry).png
 Colonel 01 Oct 1938 51 01 Oct 1938 01 Oct 1938 1 years
O-7
Brigadier General (USA).png
 Brigadier General 02 Apr 1940 53 02 Apr 1940 02 Apr 1940 4 years
O-8
Major General (USA, Infantry).png
 Major General
(Chief of Infantry)
60px
 31 May 1941 - 30 May 1945 54 31 May 1941 31 May 1941 3 years
O-9
130px
 Lieutenant General
(temporary) 		16 Feb 1943 - 26 Mar 1944 56 16 Feb 1943 16 Feb 1943 1 year
O-9
130px
 Lieutenant General 08 Feb 1943 - 15 Apr 1945 56 Army of the United States 08 Feb 1943 08 Feb 1943 2 years
O-10
130px
 General 15 Apr 1945 - 01 Feb 1949 58 15 Apr 1945 26 Apr 1945 3 years
O-8
Major General (USA).png
 Major General 22 Jun 1946 57 Regular Army 02 Oct 1944 02 Oct 1944 2 years
Retired, Operation of Law 31 Jan 1949 62
O-10
130px
 General 01 Feb 1949 62 Retired 15 Apr 1945 01 Feb 1949 16 years


  • United States Army - Cadet USMA : 16 June 1904 - 17 June 1905 (01 year, 01 day)
  • United States Army - Enlistment - Infantry : 05 November 1906 - 20 November 1909 (03 years, 15 days)
  • United States Army - Commission - Infantry : 20 November 1909 - 02 May 1940 (30 years, 05 months, 12 days)
  • United States Army - Commission - General Staff Corps (temp.) : 03 May 1936 - 19 May 1938 (02 years, 16 days)
  • United States Army - Commission - General Officer : 02 May 1940 - 31 January 1949 (08 years, 08 months, 29 days)
  • National Army - Commission - Infantry : 17 June 1918 - 13 February 1920 (01 year, 07 months, 27 days)
  • Army of the United States - Commission - General Officer : 08 February 1943 - 31 January 1949 (05 years, 11 months, 23 days)

Total = 43 year(s), 02 month(s), 29 day(s)

Awards and Decorations

United States Decorations
Distinguished Service Cross.png Distinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2 Oakleaf).png Distinguished Service Medal — two oak leaf clusters
Silver Star.png Silver Star Medal
Bronze Star.png Bronze Star Medal
Mexican Service Medal.png Mexican Service Medal
World War I Victory Medal (3 Stars).png World War I Victory Medal — three campaign clasps / stars
Army of Occupation of Germany.png Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
American Defense Service Medal.png American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal.png American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (5SS & AH).png European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal — arrowhead device; five service stars
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.png Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal.png World War II Victory Medal
Foreign Personal Decorations (in order worn)
Order of the Liberator General San Martin, Grand Officer.png Order of the Liberator General San Martin — Grand Officer Flag of the Argentine Republic.png Argentine Republic
Order of the Bath.png Most Honourable Order of the Bath — Hon. Companion / Hon. Knight Commander Flag of the United Kingdom.png United Kingdom
Order of the British Empire.png Most Excellent Order of the British Empire — Hon. Knight Commander
Order of Leopold (Grand Officer).png Order of Leopold — Grand Officer Flag of the Kingdom of Belgium.png Kingdom of Belgium
Cross of War 1940-1945 (palm).png Cross of War 1940-1945 — Palm
Legion of Honour (Grand Officer).png National Order of the Legion of Honour — Grand Officer Flag of the French Republic.png French Republic
Croix de Guerre 1939-1945, palm.png Cross of War 1939-1945 — Palm
Order of Orange-Nassau (Grand Cross).png Order of Orange-Nassau — Grand Cross (more evidence needed) Flag of the Netherlands.png Kingdom of the Netherlands
Order of the Oak Crown.png Order of the Oak Crown — Knight Flag of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.png Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Cross of War (Luxembourg).png Luxembourg War Cross (more evidence needed)
Order of Suvorov.png
 Order of Suvorov — First Class Flag of the Soviet Union.png Soviet Union
Identification Badges
[[File: First United States Army Shoulder Sleeve Insignia -
Former Wartime Service patch
Other Accoutrements
Overseas Service Bar (WWII).png Three Overseas Service Bar
Overseas Service Bar (WWI).png Two Overseas Service Chevron
Miscellaneous Awards & Honors
  • Judge Elbert P. Tuttle Distinguished Achievement Award, 1942
  • TIME Magazine Front Cover Vol. 94, 1944
  • 5th Guard Army Commemorative Medal & Plaque, 1945
  • Southern Cross of Honor, 1945 (United Daughters of the Confederacy)
  • Commemorative Medal from New York Mayor William O'Dwyer, 1949
  • Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame Inductee, 1976
  • Perry, Georgia's "General Courtney Hodges Boulevard" is named in his honor
  • Fort McPherson's "Hodges Hall" is named in his honor
  • Rock Island Arsenal's "Hodges Conference Room" is named in his honor

Battles/Wars Participation

Mexican Expedition (15 Mar 1916 - 08 Jan 1917)

World War I (06 Apr 1917 - 11 Nov 1918)

Aftermath of World War I (01 Dec 1918 - 03 Jul 1919)

  • Occupation of Trieve, Germany (12.01.1918 - 03.09.1919)
  • Occupation of Luxembourg (03.09.1919 - 07.03.1919)

World War II (08 Dec 1941 - 02 Sep 1945)


☆ = Awarded service star for participation. △ = Arrowhead device

Foreign and Overseas Service

  • 00 Oct 1911 - 1914 : Philippines
  • 15 Mar 1916 - 08 Jan 1917 : Mexico
  • 00 Apr 1917 - 1918 : Lorraine, France
  • 01 Dec 1918 - 09 Mar 1919 : Trieve, Germany
  • 09 Mar 1919 - 03 Jul 1919 : Luxembourg
  • 03 May 1936 - 19 May 1938 : Philippines
  • 25 Oct 1943 - 23 Nov 1943 : Sicily, Italy
  • 29 Oct 1943 - 06 Jun 1944 : England
  • 06 Jun 1944 - 24 May 1945 : France/Belgium/Germany
  • 32 May 1945 - 08 Sep 1945: Pacific Ocean/Manila, Philippines

Quotes / Reflections

General Omar N. Bradley said that upon meeting Hodges at the Point, he was "an August figure like Marshall and a man I admired almost equally."

General Omar N. Bradley: called Hodges "my idea of a quintessential 'Georgian gentleman' and the most modest man I had ever met. A crack shot from childhood, he was then - and for years after - the Army's star in the national rifle matches."

General Omar N. Bradley: "I had implicit faith in his judgement, in his skill and restraint."

General Omar N. Bradley: "Out of all my Army commanders, he required the least supervision."

General Omar N. Bradley: ...Hodges is "essentially a military technician whose faultless techniques and tactical knowledge made him one of the most skilled craftsman of my entire command...a general's general." (said to Montgomery when he wanted Hodges replaced)

General Dwight D. Eisenhower: ..Hodges was "the quiet reticent type, and doesn't appear as aggressive as he really is. Unless he becomes exhausted, he will always wage a good fight."

General Dwight D. Eisenhower: ...that "Hodges is exactly the same class of man as Bradley, in practically every respect. Wonderful shot, great hunter, quiet, self-effacing...with a thorough understanding of ground fighting."

Ambassador Charles Lucet to Hodges wife, Mildred, on the passing of Hodges "I am deeply saddened by the shocking news of the passing of general Hodges. The unforgettable pages written by your husband in the history of the two world wars will always remind the French people that he was a remarkable symbol of the solidarity and warm feelings between our nations. We shall forever remember him with gratefulness and sorrow. Please accept in your bereavement the expression of my most sincere sympathy."

Senator Strom Thurmond (3.9.1961): "I seriously doubt if very many people in the United States know that Hodges’ First Army had under its command more divisions (18) than had ever been under the immediate command of a single army commander before or since. The First Army was the first army in Europe in more than name: The First was the first to arrive on the beaches of Normandy; the first to break out of Normandy, the first to get to Paris, the first to arrive in Germany, the first to cross the Rhine, and the first to meet up with the Russians."

Notes/Trivia

  • His grandfather, James Hodges, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
  • A distinguished Marksman, he often participating in competitions and hunts.
  • Was a member and later captain of the United States Infantry Rifle Team.
  • A noted history buff, Hodges was particularly knowledgeable in the American Civil War.
  • He was the first non-graduate and first dropout to teach at the United States Military Academy.
  • Hodges was in a small group of high ranking WWII generals to have had actual experience commanding troops in combat.
    (Having commanded a Battalion & Regiment during WWI)
  • Representative Elijah B. Lewis, of Georgia's 3rd District, appointed Hodges to the USMA
  • Hodges has a noticeable scar of his right jaw, which he received from a kick by a horse in his childhood.
  • A member of the Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
  • Throughout WWII, he sacked ten division commanders (Donald A. Stroh); and two corps commanders (Charles H. Corlett, John Millikin).
  • Hodges refused two Purple Heart citations for being gassed during WWI (referring to the injuries as being 'sissy').
  • As Chief of Infantry, Hodges promoted the adoption of the Bazooka, M-1 Carbine, M1 Helmet, the use of Airborne troops, and the Officer Candidate School
  • General Courtney Hodges Blvd, Perry, Georgia is names after him.
  • Hodges graduated from the Command & General Staff College in 94th place out of 258.
  • He logged in 250 hours in flight as an observer while stationed at the Air Corps Tactical School.
  • His wife, Mildred, was a descendent of General Robert E. Lee, who was among Hodges heroes.
  • Hodges ate typical southern "soul food", would have a drink after dinner, and smoked Chesterfield cigarettes.
  • His ancestors moved to North America from England in or around 1750.
  • Served as an honorary pallbearer for Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., along with Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, and Collins.
  • Hodges was scheduled to board a flight that crashed 17 July 1950, that killed Canadian Brigadier Harry H. Angle, but decided too cancel.
  • List of Hodge's aide-de-camps: Major Kenneth C. Strother (1940-41); Major William C. Sylvan (1944-45); Lieutenant Colonel John D. Crowley, Jr. (1946-48);

Family

Name Relation Lifespan Notes
Immediate Family
Mildred L. Buchner Wife 1895 - 1991
John H. Hodges Father 09/20/1851 - 03/11/1926
Katherine V. Norwood Mother 07/04/1857 - 11/01/1947
Norwood R. Hodges Brother 11/25/1879 - 12/04/1882
Mary Hendrix;
Thomas L. Hendrix 		Sister;
Husband 		05/24/1881 - 05/15/1966
Kate Houser;
Samuel P. Houser 		Sister;
Husband 		02/05/1883 - 1/09/1964;
2/27/1864 - 09/19/1940
John L. Hodges;
Ruby C. Hodges 		Brother;
Wife 		1/21/1890 - 11/13/1964;
7/28/1900 - 02/23/1993
Ernest S. Hodges Brother 09/11/1888 - 12/21/1892
Samuel N. Hodges;
Marion W. Hodges;
Samuel N. Hodges 		Brother;
Wife;
Son 		01/21/1890 - 12/19/1975
Samuel N. Hodges, Jr.
Ethel J. Hodges Sister 09/25/1896-02/17/1988
Therisa D. Hodges Sister 03/27/1892-10/02/1970
Edna D. Mason Sister
Extended Family
Fred S. Hodges Pat. Uncle
Mrs. O. G. Conner Pat. Aunt
James H. Hodges Pat. Grandfather c. 1823 - 1885 Pvt, CSA
Mary A. Rice Pat. Grandmother
John Hodges Pat. Great-Grandfather 1795 - 1845
Sarah Hicks Pat. Great-Grandmother

Gallery

Courtney H. Hodges (Image Gallery)

References

Retrieved from "https://theworldsmilitaryhistory.wikia.org/wiki/Courtney_H._Hodges?oldid=31966"
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