Lemuel Mathewson

General Mathewson, circa 1951, Berlin

Lemuel Matthewson (born March 29, 1899 in Bath, New York - † February 26, 1970 in Washington, DC ) was Lieutenant General in the US Army, adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt , coordinator of the Inter-American Defense Committee , commander of the US Berlin Command , Director of the Staff of Chiefs of Staff and Commander of the US Sixth Army . From February 1, 1951 to January 2, 1953, he was in command of the American Sector of Berlin and thus one of the Allied city ​​commanders .

First career

After attending Bath's Haverling High School in 1917, he went to the United States Military Academy , which he graduated in 1922, and was then employed as an artillery officer.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Mathewson served in a variety of roles in the United States and abroad, including postgraduate studies in Madrid , teaching Spanish at the United States Military Academy, lecturer at Fort Sill Field Artillery School, and officer for Special projects in Latin America .

From 1938 to 1939, Mathewson attended Command and General Staff College.

Second World War

From 1943 to 1944, Mathewson served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt , and was with him at conferences in Cairo and Tehran . In 1944, Mathewson was appointed deputy commander of the VII Corps Artillery. From 1944 to 1945, Mathewson was then commissioned to command the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery.

After the Second World War

Parade in front of Mathewson in West Berlin 1951

From 1945 to 1948 Mathewson was Chief of Staff of the Caribbean Defense Command ( United States Southern Command ) and 1948 to 1949 coordinator of the Inter-American Defense Committee . From 1949 to 1951 he was commander of the 11th Airborne Artillery Division . From 1951 to 1953, Mathewson served as Commander of the US Berlin Command and was City Commander of the American Sector. Thereafter, Mathewson commanded the US communications zone in Orléans , France from 1953 to 1954 .

Later career

Mathewson was then from 1954 to 1955 Director of the Staff of the Chiefs of Staff and then from 1956 to 1957 Commander of the United States Corps . From 1957 to 1958, Mathewson served as commander of the US Sixth Army and was retiring. In 1957 he was used as a military assistant to Queen Elizabeth II during her tour of the United States.

Orders and awards

General Mathewson's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal , Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star .

•   Distinguished Service Medal
•   Legion of Merit
•   Bronze star

Later activities

Mathewson was chairman of the Inter-American Defense Committee from 1958 to 1961 .

Retirement and death

After retiring from IADB, Mathewson lived in McLean , Virginia. He died in 1970 at Walter Reed Army Hospital . General Mathewson was buried in Section III Location A-24 of the US Military Academy Cemetery ( West Point ).

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Current Biography, published by HW Wilson Company, Volume 13, 1952, page 33
2. ^ Steuben County History web site, Bath Area High School Graduates page
3. ^ Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy, published by the Association of Graduates, 1930, page 1704
4. ^ Roster of Officers and Troops, United States Military Academy, 1932, page 5
5. ^ Official army register of the Officers and Graduates of the US Military Academy, 1930: United States. Adjutant General: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive. In: US Army Register. January 26, 2009, accessed January 14, 2019 . 
6. ^ A Soldier Reports, by General William Childs Westmoreland, 1976, Volume 1, page 14
7. ^ Magazine article, Recommendations for Leavenworth and the War College , Lieutenant Colonel FA Doniat, The Field Artillery Journal, November – December, 1937, page 456
8. ^ US Army Register, published by US Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 548
9. ↑ Annual Proceedings of the Legislature of Steuben County, published by Steuben County (NY) Legislature, 2005, page 71
10. ^ The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, US Department of State Historical Office, 1961, page xxxv
11. ^ Army Information Digest, published by US Armed Forces Information School, 1946, page 2
12. ^ Ridgway's Paratroopers: the American Airborne in World War II, Clay Blair, 1985, page 483
13. ^ Newspaper article, Caribbean Command Shifts , New York Times, September 1, 1945
14. ^ Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1949, volumes 8 to 9, page 22
15. ^ The Angels: a History of the 11th Airborne Division, EM Flanagan, 1989, page 397
16. ^ Newspaper article, US Reinforces Berlin Garrison , Toledo Blade, January 15, 1951
17. ↑ History of the Berlin Brigade ( Memento from July 20, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )
18. ^ Newspaper article, US Will Relieve its Berlin Chief , New York Times, December 25, 1952
19. ^ Newspaper article, To Take Over Post, by United Press International, published in Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer, December 26, 1952
20. ^ Newspaper article, 2 Generals Nominated by Ike for Promotions , Chicago Tribune, March 17, 1954
21. ↑ Notable Names in American History: a Tabulated Register, 1973, page 399
22. ^ Newspaper article, 6th Army Chief to Retire , New York Times, January 16, 1958
23. ^ Newspaper article, Elizabeth on Way to Canada by Air , New York Times, October 12, 1957
24. ↑ Official Army Register, published by US Army Adjutant General, 1960, page 1284
25. ^ US Government Manual, 1960, page 574
26. ↑ Annual Report, Organization of American States, 1961, page 11
27. ^ Newspaper article, Gen. Mathewson Gets Defense Post , Hartford Courant, August 18, 1959
28. ^ Newspaper article, Gen. Mathewson, Artilleryman, 70; Commander in Berlin From 1951 to 1953 Is Dead , New York Times, March 1, 1970
29. ^ US Department of Veterans Affairs Nationwide Grave Site Locator