Josef R. Sheetz
Encyclopedia
Major General
Josef Robert Sheetz (1895–1992) was an American military
commander during World War II
, who served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the War Department
in 1941-42. Sheetz is particularly noted for his command of the 98th Artillery Division in the Battle of Okinawa
, and his involvement in the early years of the post-war
American Occupation of Okinawa.
from 1939 to 1941, before moving on to become Assistant Chief of Staff in the Department of War.
During World War II, then Brigadier-General Sheetz served as the commanding officer of the 98th Artillery Division, and fought in the battle of Okinawa as commander of the 24th Artillery Corps.
In October 1949, following a period of service in Korea, Sheetz replaced Major-General William W. Eagles as military governor of Okinawa, and began a number of efforts to revive and repair the islands' economy, and to democratize the government. This was the first concerted effort in four years to repair the damage to the island and its economy caused by the 1945 battle. Efforts were made to improve living conditions for the American soldiers, whose residences were compared by TIME Magazine at the time to hobo camps, as well as to improve morale, and to put an end to crimes committed by the troops. As part of a series of courses aimed at improving conduct among the troops, Sheetz asked Occupation forces to see themselves as diplomats. Expenses involved in the construction of the Occupation forces' military complexes was hoped to aid the local economy, though, after disagreements with local landowners over the cost of the land, USCAR
simply appropriated the land without compensation. Sheetz also oversaw other reconstruction efforts, including that of the port of Naha. While the Ryukyu Islands would remain under American military rule until 1972, free elections were held for the legislature, and for leaders of several island groups, including Amami
, Okinawa
, Yaeyama
, and Miyako
.
Sheetz retired from military service the following year, in 1950. In 1954, he served as headmaster of Texas Military Institute.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Josef Robert Sheetz (1895–1992) was an American military
Military of the United States
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
commander during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, who served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
in 1941-42. Sheetz is particularly noted for his command of the 98th Artillery Division in the Battle of Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
, and his involvement in the early years of the post-war
Post-war
A post-war period or postwar period is the interval immediately following the ending of a war and enduring as long as war does not resume. A post-war period can become an interwar period or interbellum when a war between the same parties resumes at a later date...
American Occupation of Okinawa.
Career
Sheetz taught at the Command and General Staff SchoolCommand 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...
from 1939 to 1941, before moving on to become Assistant Chief of Staff in the Department of War.
During World War II, then Brigadier-General Sheetz served as the commanding officer of the 98th Artillery Division, and fought in the battle of Okinawa as commander of the 24th Artillery Corps.
In October 1949, following a period of service in Korea, Sheetz replaced Major-General William W. Eagles as military governor of Okinawa, and began a number of efforts to revive and repair the islands' economy, and to democratize the government. This was the first concerted effort in four years to repair the damage to the island and its economy caused by the 1945 battle. Efforts were made to improve living conditions for the American soldiers, whose residences were compared by TIME Magazine at the time to hobo camps, as well as to improve morale, and to put an end to crimes committed by the troops. As part of a series of courses aimed at improving conduct among the troops, Sheetz asked Occupation forces to see themselves as diplomats. Expenses involved in the construction of the Occupation forces' military complexes was hoped to aid the local economy, though, after disagreements with local landowners over the cost of the land, USCAR
USCAR
USCAR means:* United States Council for Automotive Research* US Climate Action Report* United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands...
simply appropriated the land without compensation. Sheetz also oversaw other reconstruction efforts, including that of the port of Naha. While the Ryukyu Islands would remain under American military rule until 1972, free elections were held for the legislature, and for leaders of several island groups, including Amami
Amami Islands
The are a group of islands that is part of the Satsunan Islands, which are then part of the Nansei Islands. The islands are part of Kagoshima Prefecture, in the Kyūshū region of Japan...
, Okinawa
Okinawa Island
Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of...
, Yaeyama
Yaeyama Islands
The Yaeyama Islands are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.The isles are the remotest part of Japan from the main islands and contains Japan's most southern and most western inhabited islands.The islands form the southern part of the volcanic Nansei Islands...
, and Miyako
Miyako Islands
The are a group of islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, east of the Yaeyama Islands.-Islands grouping:*Japanese Archipelago**Nansei Islands***Ryūkyū Shotō****Sakishima Islands*****Miyako Islands-Inhabited islands:*Miyako Islands...
.
Sheetz retired from military service the following year, in 1950. In 1954, he served as headmaster of Texas Military Institute.