George S. Blanchard
Encyclopedia
George Samuel Blanchard (April 3, 1920 – May 3, 2006) was a United States Army
four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) from 1975 to 1979.
and graduated in 1938 from Eastern High School. After high school he attended American University
from 1938 to 1940, then enlisted in the National Guard, serving in the Coast Artillery and rising to the rank of sergeant. He received a National Guard appointment to the United States Military Academy
and graduated on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was commissioned in the infantry, and was soon deployed to Europe, serving with the 70th and 78th Infantry Divisions.
After World War II, he served on the general staff of United States Forces, European Theater, and then returned to the states to earn a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell Graduate School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University
in 1949.
Blanchard served in various positions during the 1950s, including as an assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
, General Omar Bradley
, a tactics instructor at Fort Benning
, and as a military advisor in Taiwan from 1955 to 1957.
After being promoted to colonel in 1959, Blanchard assumed command the 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, and subsequently served as the G-3 of I Corps in Korea. In 1966, he went to Vietnam and served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), and later served as Chief of Staff, I Field Force, Vietnam. After his time in Vietnam, he was assigned as Director of Special Warfare in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations; Director of Plans, Programs and Budget for two major Army General Staff organizations, and served as executive officer to two Secretaries of the Army.
After his time at the Pentagon, he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1970. He next returned to Europe to command the VII Corps, and subsequently U.S. Army Europe, as the army was transitioning to an all-volunteer force. He is credited with instituting the use of television to broadcast command information. He also instituted the Sergeant Morales competition in 1973, a program to designed to improve the morale and performance of the NCO corps. Blanchard was also known for his attempts to combat alcoholism in the army, which included banning discount drinks during happy hours in post clubs, prohibiting units from holding drinking contests, and opening the first alcoholism treatment center in Europe for officers and senior enlisted soldiers.
, the Legion of Merit
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Bronze Star
, the Air Medal
, Army Aviator Badge, and Airborne badge. His military education included the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Basic Airborne Course, Command and General Staff College
and the Armed Forces Staff College. He retired in 1979.
, where he established General Analysis Inc., a defense consulting firm. He was also a member of the Atlantic Council Board, the Army Science Board
, the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs and president of both the Retired Officers Association and the United Service Organizations
in the 1980s.
In 1990, the Blanchards moved to North Carolina, and while there he helped organize a program where retirees tutor the illiterate. In 2001, the Association of Graduates, the United States Military Academy alumni organization, selected him as that year's recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award. He and his wife returned to Virginia in 2002 to live at The Fairfax, a military retirement community in Fort Belvoir
.
Blanchard died of pneumonia on May 3, 2006 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital at the age of 86. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Beth H. Blanchard, four daughters, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
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, U.S. Army Europe/Commander, Central Army Group (CINCUSAREUR/COMCENTAG) from 1975 to 1979.
Military career
Blanchard was born on April 3, 1920 in Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and graduated in 1938 from Eastern High School. After high school he attended American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
from 1938 to 1940, then enlisted in the National Guard, serving in the Coast Artillery and rising to the rank of sergeant. He received a National Guard appointment 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 graduated on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He was commissioned in the infantry, and was soon deployed to Europe, serving with the 70th and 78th Infantry Divisions.
After World War II, he served on the general staff of United States Forces, European Theater, and then returned to the states to earn a Master of Science degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell Graduate School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
in 1949.
Blanchard served in various positions during the 1950s, including as an assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
, General Omar Bradley
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley was a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army...
, a tactics instructor at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, and as a military advisor in Taiwan from 1955 to 1957.
After being promoted to colonel in 1959, Blanchard assumed command the 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, and subsequently served as the G-3 of I Corps in Korea. In 1966, he went to Vietnam and served as Assistant Division Commander, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), and later served as Chief of Staff, I Field Force, Vietnam. After his time in Vietnam, he was assigned as Director of Special Warfare in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations; Director of Plans, Programs and Budget for two major Army General Staff organizations, and served as executive officer to two Secretaries of the Army.
After his time at the Pentagon, he took command of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1970. He next returned to Europe to command the VII Corps, and subsequently U.S. Army Europe, as the army was transitioning to an all-volunteer force. He is credited with instituting the use of television to broadcast command information. He also instituted the Sergeant Morales competition in 1973, a program to designed to improve the morale and performance of the NCO corps. Blanchard was also known for his attempts to combat alcoholism in the army, which included banning discount drinks during happy hours in post clubs, prohibiting units from holding drinking contests, and opening the first alcoholism treatment center in Europe for officers and senior enlisted soldiers.
Decorations
Blanchard's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, 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 Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, 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...
, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, Army Aviator Badge, and Airborne badge. His military education included the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Basic Airborne Course, Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
and the Armed Forces Staff College. He retired in 1979.
Army Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
Silver StarSilver StarThe Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
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...
Distinguished Flying CrossDistinguished Flying Cross (United States)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
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...
Air MedalAir MedalThe Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
Post military
Blanchard retired to McLean, VirginiaMcLean, Virginia
McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The community had a total population of 48,115 as of the 2010 census....
, where he established General Analysis Inc., a defense consulting firm. He was also a member of the Atlantic Council Board, the Army Science Board
Army Science Board
The Army Science Board is a Federal Advisory Committee organized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. It is the Department of the Army senior scientific advisory body that was chartered in 1977 to replace the Army Scientific Advisory Panel...
, the Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs and president of both the Retired Officers Association and the United Service Organizations
United Service Organizations
The United Service Organizations Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization that provides morale and recreational services to members of the U.S. military, with programs in 160 centers worldwide. Since 1941, it has worked in partnership with the Department of Defense , and has provided support and...
in the 1980s.
In 1990, the Blanchards moved to North Carolina, and while there he helped organize a program where retirees tutor the illiterate. In 2001, the Association of Graduates, the United States Military Academy alumni organization, selected him as that year's recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award. He and his wife returned to Virginia in 2002 to live at The Fairfax, a military retirement community in Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Originally, it was the site of the Belvoir plantation. Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations...
.
Blanchard died of pneumonia on May 3, 2006 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital at the age of 86. At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Beth H. Blanchard, four daughters, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.