George R. Mather
Encyclopedia
George Robinson Mather was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
(USCINCSO) from 1969 to 1971.
, on June 2, 1911. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy
and in 1932 he graduated and was commissioned in the cavalry. He studied Spanish at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
in 1937 and then returned to West Point to teach Spanish for four years.
During World War II, he served as Executive Officer of the 110th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. From 1946 to 1948, he served on the staff of the Caribbean Command in the Panama Canal Zone
, beginning a long association with Latin America. Following an assignment as Chief of Staff, Fourth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston
in 1961, he was assigned as Chairman, United States Delegation, Joint Brazil-United States Military Assistance Advisory Group in Rio de Janeiro
until September 1964.
In 1965, he assumed command of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood. Following that assignment, he served as the United States Military Representative to the Permanent Military Deputies Group, Central Treaty Organization
located in Ankara, Turkey. He next took command of V Corps in 1966, returning stateside in 1967 to command III Corps. He became the first Director of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations in July 1968. His final assignment was as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
. He retired from the army in 1971.
Mather's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit
, the Bronze Star
with "V" device, the Purple Heart
and the Combat Infantryman Badge
.
, survived by a son and daughter.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
(USCINCSO) from 1969 to 1971.
Military career
Mather was born in Watertown, South DakotaWatertown, South Dakota
Watertown is a city in and the county seat of Codington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 21,482 at the 2010 census. It is also the principal city of the Watertown Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Codington and Hamlin counties...
, on June 2, 1911. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and in 1932 he graduated and was commissioned in the cavalry. He studied Spanish at the National Autonomous University of Mexico
National Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
in 1937 and then returned to West Point to teach Spanish for four years.
During World War II, he served as Executive Officer of the 110th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. From 1946 to 1948, he served on the staff of the Caribbean Command in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
, beginning a long association with Latin America. Following an assignment as Chief of Staff, Fourth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
in 1961, he was assigned as Chairman, United States Delegation, Joint Brazil-United States Military Assistance Advisory Group in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
until September 1964.
In 1965, he assumed command of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood. Following that assignment, he served as the United States Military Representative to the Permanent Military Deputies Group, Central Treaty Organization
Central Treaty Organization
The Central Treaty Organization was formed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. It was dissolved in 1979.U.S...
located in Ankara, Turkey. He next took command of V Corps in 1966, returning stateside in 1967 to command III Corps. He became the first Director of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations in July 1968. His final assignment was as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command
United States Southern Command
The United States Southern Command , located in Miami, Florida, is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for providing contingency planning and operations in Central and South America, the Caribbean The United States Southern Command...
. He retired from the army in 1971.
Mather's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
, the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with "V" device, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and the Combat Infantryman Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
The Combat Infantryman Badge is the U.S. Army combat service recognition decoration awarded to soldiers—enlisted men and officers holding colonel rank or below, who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size...
.
Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
Bronze StarBronze Star MedalThe Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with V Device
Purple HeartPurple HeartThe Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
Post retirement
Mather retired to North Carolina, and served two terms as a village councilman. He died on January 1, 1993, in Southern Pines, North CarolinaSouthern Pines, North Carolina
Southern Pines is a town in Moore County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 10,918 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Southern Pines is located at ....
, survived by a son and daughter.