James H. Polk
Encyclopedia
James Hilliard Polk was a United States Army
four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Army Europe
from 1967 to 1971. He was one of the last senior commanders in the army to have served in the horse cavalry.
in the Philippines
on December 13, 1911 to Colonel Harding Polk, and the former Esther Fleming. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1933 and was commissioned in the cavalry. Prior to World War II he served in two cavalry regiments, and attended the basic and advanced courses at the cavalry school. In 1939 at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden he won first place in the Individual Military and Police Jumping event.
At the outbreak of World War II he was assigned to West Point as a tactical officer. In 1943 he attended a shortened general staff course at Fort Leavenworth, and after graduation joined the 106th Cavalry Group at Camp Hood, Texas as a squadron commander, and later as regimental executive officer. In Europe, the group fought in the hedgerows of Normandy and the breakout from Saint-Lô
.
In early September 1944, Polk assumed command of the 3rd Cavalry Group, then in combat near Metz
, France, and commanded it until the end of the war. During this time the unit was known as "Task Force Polk", and spearheaded many advances by Gen. Walton Walker's XX Corps
, part of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third Army.
After brief occupation duty in Germany at the end of World War II, Polk returned to the U.S. and became Chief of Tactics as the Ground General School at Fort Riley
, Kansas, and later attended the Armed Forces Staff College. In 1948 he went to Tokyo in the G-2 (Intelligence) section of the U.S. Far East Command for the next three years.
During the Korean War Polk was assigned as G-2 to Gen. Ned Almond's X Corps and later as G-2 to Gen. James Van Fleet's 8th Army, and participated in three campaigns. In August 1951 he returned stateside to attend the National War College
, and was later assigned as an instructor at the Army War College. He was then made Chief of Staff of the 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox
, participating in their move to Germany. In July 1956 he was promoted to Brigadier General and became assistant division commander.
Following and assignment as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Land Forces Central Europe at NATO Headquarters at Fontainebleau
under General Dr. Hans Speidel
, Polk returned to the U.S. and became Director of the Policy Planning Staff in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
Upon promotion to Major General, Polk took command of the 4th Armored Division, followed by being the U.S. commandant in Berlin from January 2, 1963 to August 31, 1964 during a time of increased Cold War tensions and President John F. Kennedy's visit to Berlin in June, 1963.
Polk became commander of V Corps on September 1, 1964, and in 1966 returned to CONUS to become Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development. He returned to Europe at the end of that year, first as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe, and six months later became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe. He retired from active duty on April 1, 1971.
, the Silver Star
with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star
, the French Croix de guerre
, the French Legion of Honor, the American Campaign Medal
, the Air Medal
, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal
, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal.
, and served as Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Cavalry Association from 1978 to 1992, and President of Army Emergency Relief
from 1975 to 1984. He died on February 18, 1992 at William Beaumont Army Medical Center
in El Paso, Texas
after battling cancer and pneumonia. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
, and later his wife, Josephine Leavell Polk (1913–1999), was buried with him. His World War II letters were published in 2005 under the title World War II Letters and Notes of Colonel James H. Polk, 1944–1945 (ISBN 1932762191). The 3d Cavalry Association has named its scholarship fund for the children of fallen 3ACR soldiers after him.
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 Army Europe
United States Army Europe
United States Army Europe and Seventh Army, is an Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and the land component of United States European Command. It is the largest American formation in Europe.-Invasion of Sicily:...
from 1967 to 1971. He was one of the last senior commanders in the army to have served in the horse cavalry.
Military career
Polk was born at Camp McGraw in BatangasBatangas
Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
on December 13, 1911 to Colonel Harding Polk, and the former Esther Fleming. He graduated from 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...
in 1933 and was commissioned in the cavalry. Prior to World War II he served in two cavalry regiments, and attended the basic and advanced courses at the cavalry school. In 1939 at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden he won first place in the Individual Military and Police Jumping event.
At the outbreak of World War II he was assigned to West Point as a tactical officer. In 1943 he attended a shortened general staff course at Fort Leavenworth, and after graduation joined the 106th Cavalry Group at Camp Hood, Texas as a squadron commander, and later as regimental executive officer. In Europe, the group fought in the hedgerows of Normandy and the breakout from Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
.
In early September 1944, Polk assumed command of the 3rd Cavalry Group, then in combat near Metz
Metz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
, France, and commanded it until the end of the war. During this time the unit was known as "Task Force Polk", and spearheaded many advances by Gen. Walton Walker's XX Corps
XX Corps (United States)
The XX Corps of the United States Army fought from northern France to Austria in World War II. Constituted by redesignating the IV Armored Corps, which had been activated at Camp Young, California on 5 September 1942, XX Corps became operational in France as part of Lieutenant General George S....
, part of Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third Army.
After brief occupation duty in Germany at the end of World War II, Polk returned to the U.S. and became Chief of Tactics as the Ground General School at Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas, and later attended the Armed Forces Staff College. In 1948 he went to Tokyo in the G-2 (Intelligence) section of the U.S. Far East Command for the next three years.
During the Korean War Polk was assigned as G-2 to Gen. Ned Almond's X Corps and later as G-2 to Gen. James Van Fleet's 8th Army, and participated in three campaigns. In August 1951 he returned stateside to attend the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
, and was later assigned as an instructor at the Army War College. He was then made Chief of Staff of the 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, participating in their move to Germany. In July 1956 he was promoted to Brigadier General and became assistant division commander.
Following and assignment as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations, Land Forces Central Europe at NATO Headquarters at Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau
Fontainebleau is a commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, France. It is located south-southeast of the centre of Paris. Fontainebleau is a sub-prefecture of the Seine-et-Marne department, and it is the seat of the arrondissement of Fontainebleau...
under General Dr. Hans Speidel
Hans Speidel
Hans Speidel: Born in Metzingen, was a German general during World War II and the first German NATO Commander during the Cold War.- 1914–1945 :...
, Polk returned to the U.S. and became Director of the Policy Planning Staff in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
Upon promotion to Major General, Polk took command of the 4th Armored Division, followed by being the U.S. commandant in Berlin from January 2, 1963 to August 31, 1964 during a time of increased Cold War tensions and President John F. Kennedy's visit to Berlin in June, 1963.
Polk became commander of V Corps on September 1, 1964, and in 1966 returned to CONUS to become Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development. He returned to Europe at the end of that year, first as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe, and six months later became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe. He retired from active duty on April 1, 1971.
Decorations
Polk's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of MeritLegion 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 Silver Star
Silver 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....
with Oak Leaf Cluster, 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 French Croix de guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
, the French Legion of Honor, the American Campaign Medal
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
, 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:...
, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. The decoration commemorates military service during World War II and is awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of...
, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal.
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...
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:...
American Campaign MedalAmerican Campaign MedalThe American Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States armed forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt...
European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France)Croix de guerre 1939-1945 (France)The Croix de guerre 1939–1945 is a French military decoration created on September 26, 1939, to honour people who fought with the Allies against the Axis force at any time during World War II.-Recipients:...
French Legion of Honor.svg.png)
Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)Presidential Unit Citation (Korea)The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation is issued by the government of South Korea to both Korean military and foreign units. The last major issuance of the decoration was during the Korean War when the decoration was bestowed to several U.S., U.K., and Commonwealth military units...
Post military career
Polk retired to El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, and served as Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Cavalry Association from 1978 to 1992, and President of Army Emergency Relief
Army Emergency Relief
Army Emergency Relief , often referred to by the longer title Army Emergency Relief Fund, is a non-profit, charitable organization independent of, but closely associated with the United States Army, founded in 1942...
from 1975 to 1984. He died on February 18, 1992 at William Beaumont Army Medical Center
William Beaumont Army Medical Center
William Beaumont Army Medical Center is a Department of Defense medical facility located in El Paso, Texas. It provides comprehensive care to all beneficiaries including active duty military, their family members, and retirees...
in El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
after battling cancer and pneumonia. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, and later his wife, Josephine Leavell Polk (1913–1999), was buried with him. His World War II letters were published in 2005 under the title World War II Letters and Notes of Colonel James H. Polk, 1944–1945 (ISBN 1932762191). The 3d Cavalry Association has named its scholarship fund for the children of fallen 3ACR soldiers after him.