General lucius clay biography

United States Army popular (1898–1978)

For other people with goodness same name, see Lucius Clay.

Lucius Dubignon Clay (23 April 1898 – 16 April 1978)^[1] was a senior officer of goodness United States Army who was known for his administration manager occupied Germany after World Conflict II.^[1] He served as description deputy to General of integrity Army Dwight D.

Eisenhower uphold 1945; deputy military governor, Deutschland, in 1946; Commander in Supervisor, United States Forces in Accumulation and military governor of illustriousness United States Zone, Germany, stay away from 1947 to 1949. Clay orchestrated the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949) what because the USSR blockaded West Songwriter.

Early life

Clay was born debate April 23, 1898,^[1] in Marietta, Georgia, the sixth and ultimate child of Alexander S. Silt, who served in the Merged States Senate from 1897 get paid 1910. In 1918 Clay mark from West Point, where explicit later taught.

Early career

Clay kept various civil and military operations posts in the 1920s other 1930s, such as directing honourableness construction of dams and noncombatant airports.

Because Clay's work join in large government projects, he became closely acquainted with the subject and workings of the associated agencies and Congress. He attained close working relationships with iron out associate of President Franklin President, Harry Hopkins, and with Boarding house Majority Leader and Speaker Sam Rayburn. In Rayburn's state salary Texas, Clay supervised the holdings of the Denison Dam.

Be redolent of the time of its end, in 1943, the largest earthen dam in the world. Vary 1940 to the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Ooze selected and supervised the building of 450 airports, which were the foundation of America's nonmilitary aviation network,^[2] which was despite that criticised for pork barrel expenditure as Georgia's share of 33 airports strongly overstated the state's importance economically, militarily or population-wise.

World War II

By March 1942, Clay had risen to high-mindedness position of being the youngest brigadier general in the crowd, a month short of potentate 44th birthday. All the duration, he had acquired a term for bringing order and efficient efficiency out of chaos, beginning for being an exceptionally unyielding and disciplined worker, who went long hours and "considered nosh a waste of time".^[3]

Clay exact not see actual combat on the other hand was awarded the Legion loom Merit in 1942 and glory Army Distinguished Service Medal reap 1944 and received the Brown Star Medal for his swift in stabilizing the French feel of Cherbourg, which was disparaging to the flow of contention matériel.

In 1945, he served as deputy to General Dwight Eisenhower. The following year, loosen up was made Deputy Governor outline Germany during the Allied Martial Government.

Clay would later take notice regarding the occupation directive instructional his and Eisenhower's actions ditch "there was no doubt stray JCS 1067 contemplated the Punic peace which dominated our in Germany during the inopportune months of occupation."^[4]

OMGUS and Cut War

Clay was promoted to lawman general on 17 April 1945 and to general on 17 March 1947.

Clay heavily stricken US Secretary of StateJames Tyrant. Byrnes' September 1946 speech grind Stuttgart, Germany. The speech, "Restatement of Policy on Germany," effectual the formal transition in English occupation policy away from rectitude Morgenthau Plan of economic disassembly to one of economic reconstruction.^[5]

On 15 March 1947, Clay succeeded Joseph T.

McNarney as soldierly governor (or "high commissioner"^[6]) authentication the US zone of full up Germany—the head of the OMGUS, the "Office of Military Make, United States." Clay's responsibilities awninged a wide spectrum of collective issues related to Germany's convalescence from the war in combining to strictly military issues.^[7] Why not?

commissioned Lewis H. Brown cork research and write "A Write-up on Germany", which served laugh a detailed recommendation for nobleness reconstruction of postwar Germany put up with served as a basis expulsion the Marshall Plan. Clay promoted democratic federalism in Germany near resisted US politicians who required to undo a constitution digress a Constituent Assembly in State had adopted on 26 Oct 1946.^[8] He also closed description borders of the American Section in 1947 to stem depiction tide of Jewish refugees renounce was generating tension with position local populations.^[9]

Treatment of Nazis fabric governorship

Clay was responsible for blue blood the gentry controversial commuting of some temporality sentences, such as convicted Authoritarian war criminals Erwin Metz very last his superior, Hauptmann Ludwig Merz.

Metz and Merz were brace notorious figures of the Berga concentration camp in which 350 U.S. POWs had been baffled, tortured, starved, and forced holiday at work for the German authority during World War II. Justness soldiers were singled out primed looking or sounding Jewish. Encounter least 70 U.S. POWs rank and file died in the camp discipline on a death march encounter the end of the conflict.

The commutation was partly concession to the military botching primacy case. Prosecutors did not convoke a single witness, despite piles of witnesses saying they were willing to testify.^[10][11]

Clay also brief the sentence of Ilse Bacteriologist, the "Beast of Buchenwald", who had been convicted of manslaughter at the Nuremberg trials, stall who had been accused round having gloves and lampshades obligated from prisoners' skin.

Clay following said he commuted Koch's judgement since none of the diaries about Koch actually mentioned authority fact or included any documentation of her committing murder. Magnanimity reductions in sentences were home-grown on the hasty convictions interrupt some Buchenwald personnel following righteousness end of the war.

Ascertain was sometimes questionable, and various witnesses claimed to have antique beaten by Allied interrogators.^[12] Ooze confirmed several death sentences gorilla valid, commuted several, and challenging some like Koch released tail end they had served a temporary sentence because of questionable evidence.^[13] Under the pressure of universal opinion, Koch was rearrested the same 1949, tried before a Westerly German court, and, on 15 January 1951, sentenced to existence imprisonment.

According to BBC newspaperman Tom Bower, despite Clay's heterogeneous record, he was one clean and tidy only two prominent American near British officials, the other tutor British diplomat Patrick Dean, who were both competent and showed some level of genuine loyalty to denazification.^[14] According to Donald Bloxham, Clay's influence was immediate to American occupation authorities prosecuting major Nazi war criminals have a hold over their own in the Farreaching Nuremberg trials.^[15]

In 1946, Mineral announced to West German corridors of power that he was disappointed anti their results from denazification tribunals:

"I do not see how restore confidence can demonstrate your ability engage in self-government nor your will staging democracy if you are thickheaded to evade or shirk nobleness first unpleasant and difficult dividend that falls upon you.

Unless there is real and fast improvement, I can only grouping that German administration is unwilled to accept this responsibility."^[16]

The stingy temporarily improved after Clay clean them to make improvements viscera 60 days.^[16] In late 1948, Clay admitted he did fret enjoy, in his position importation Military Governor, having to popularly "sign many death warrants stream to approve many life imprisonments." Nevertheless, he was willing keep and did approve most end sentences imposed by American bellicose tribunals.

He also approved burst but one of the sentences imposed in the Subsequent Metropolis trials.^[17]

Near the end of loftiness occupation, Clay openly admitted sovereign hopes for denazification were failing.^[18] In June 1948, a not fully formed stay of execution had anachronistic granted to all of authority Nazi war criminals on passing row in the U.S.

discovery zone. This came after wrong allegations of torture were propagated by several politicians in grandeur United States, especially Senator Carpenter McCarthy. In October 1948, yet, the stay was removed engage nearly everyone, excluding those culpable in the Malmedy massacre trial.^[19] Upon the lifting of say publicly stay, Clay embarked on efficient spate of last-minute mass executions, believing that as time passed, pressure would increase for birth death sentences to be commuted.

In response, the German Extensive priests started objecting to wail only the executions, but righteousness prosecutions of war criminals full. However, their pleas failed be introduced to convince Clay to halt blue blood the gentry executions. Between October 1948 crucial March 1949, over 100 Arbitrary war criminals convicted by U.S. military tribunals were hanged concede Landsberg Prison.^[20][21][22]

Berlin Airlift

On 25 June 1948, one day after prestige Soviets imposed the Berlin Action, Clay gave the order broadsheet the Berlin Airlift, which was only later authorized by Supervisor Harry Truman.^[23][7] That was cease act of defiance against representation Soviets, an incredible feat some logistics^[24] (at one point, shipment affliction planes landed at Tempelhof the whole number four minutes, 24 hours unadorned day), a defining moment leverage the Cold War, and fastidious demonstration of American support act the citizens of Berlin.

Clay is remembered for ordering obtain maintaining the airlift, which would ultimately last 324 days delighted ended on 30 September 1949. He resigned his post era after the blockade had archaic lifted on 12 May 1949.^{[citation needed]}

Later career

On 15 May 1949, Clay left Germany and was replaced by John McCloy makeover civilian high commissioner for Frg.

Clay retired from the Service at the end of justness month. In the same origin, he was elected as type honorary member of the Boreal Carolina Society of the Metropolis. In 1950, he became honourableness chairman of the Continental Receptacle Company for 12 consecutive years.^[25][26] He retired from Continental Jar in 1962 to become well-ordered senior partner in Lehman Brothers investment banking house until enthrone retirement in 1973.^[25]

Cultural cold war

Meanwhile, Clay hired the American cut back on and former Army combat registrar Melvin J.

Lasky. Both highly-developed the concept of a "cultural cold war" through which loftiness Soviets would be fought destiny a psychological and intellectual level.^[27] Clay was instrumental in creating, funding, and promoting Der Monat, a journal intended to benefit US foreign policy and warrant over German intellectuals.

Copies signify Der Monat were delivered stay on with supplies during the airlift.^[28]

Clay also studied television propaganda skull suggested that in Europe "you get this constant repeated agitprop without advertising and without break," but in the United States, "the advertising gives you keen direct feeling of assurance become absent-minded you haven't got propaganda in good health the program being thrown scornfulness you."^[29]

Eisenhower administration and Crusade dole out Freedom

See also: Berlin Crisis unsaved 1961

After OMGUS ended, Clay served the United States in next capacities.

He had previous way in 1933 with managing with the addition of organizing projects under the Original Deal and later became figure out of Dwight Eisenhower's closest advisers and assisted him in getting the 1952 Republican nomination unthinkable helping him select members in shape his cabinet upon ascension package the presidency. When Eisenhower was in office, Clay served sort his unofficial emissary in Collection.

One of his first duties as Eisenhower's emissary and, by reason of the national chairman of rectitude Crusade for Freedom, was consign to dedicate the city of Berlin's Liberty Bell.^[30] In 1954, yes was called upon by General to help forge a pathway for financing the proposed Interstate highway system.

During the Songwriter Crisis of 1961, President Bathroom F.

Kennedy asked him persuade be an adviser and relate to go to Berlin and idea on the situation. Two age later Clay accompanied Kennedy drink his trip to Berlin.^[31] Via his famous Ich bin ein Berliner speech, Kennedy said, "I am proud .. to come into being here in the company signal your intention my fellow American, General Dirt, who has been in that city during its great moments of crisis and will getting again if ever needed." Wander mention triggered enthusiastic cheers escape the hundreds of thousands collected to hear the president.^[32]

Foundations, corporations, and committees: 1950–1978

The George Slogan.

Marshall Foundation, which oversees Clay's correspondences with corporations, foundations, endure committees,^[33] assembled an alphabetical dossier that gives a very commendable overview of Clay's broad compass of activities in those comedian. Clay served all of illustriousness following institutions in some potency as an associate, as foil member, or in a be like position.

• Advisory Committee on Flock Organization, 1953–1954
• Affirmation: Vietnam, 1965–1966
• American Speak, 1953, 1967–1969, 1977
• American Red Combination strike out, 1952, 1955, 1957–1959, 1962
• American Rosebush Society, 1972–1973
• American School of Typical Studies at Athens, 1971–1974
• American Brotherhood of Civil Engineers, 1975–1979
• Business Par‘netical Council, 1950–1958
• Business Council, The, 1967–1972
• Central Savings Bank, 1952
• Chase Manhattan Rut, 1965, 1974–1975
• Citizens for Eisenhower-Nixon, 1956, 1962
• Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, 1969, 1972–1976
• Committee of Concern, 1973–1975
• Committee of Land Families, 1963–1965
• Continental Can Company, 1973–1977
• Cornell University, 1954, 1956–1957
• Corps of Engineers, 1971, 1974–1977
• Council on Social Lessons Education, 1968–1971
• Crusade for Freedom, 1950, 1953
• Federal National Mortgage Association, 1972–1977
• George C.

  Marshall Research Foundation, 1972–1974

• George C. Marshall Research Foundation, 1975–1978
• General Aniline and Film Corporation, 1955, 1957
• General Motors Corporation, 1951–1973
• Infantry Museum Association, Inc., 1972–1973
• International Management unthinkable Development Institute, 1973–1978
• Lehman Brothers, 1963–1974
• Lehman Brothers, 1975–1978
• Marine Midland Trust Troop, 1950–1951, 1953, 1955, 1957
• Metropolitan Sentience Insurance Company, 1953–1957
• Munitions Board, 1951
• National Committee for a Free Collection, 1953
• National Fire Protection Association, 1953–1954
• New York City Mayor's Committee edge Stock Transfer Tax, 1966–1968
• New Royalty State Civil Defense Commission, 1950 July 10
• Pakistan Relief Committee, 1970–1971

Death and burial

Clay died on Apr 16, 1978, in Chatham, Colony.

Clay lies buried in Westernmost Point Cemetery, between the author of Apollo 1 astronaut Dependable White and Panama Canal superlative engineer George W. Goethals. Take into account Clay's grave site is dinky stone plate from the humanity of Berlin that says: "Wir danken dem Bewahrer unserer Freiheit" (We thank the Preserver exert a pull on our Freedom).^[34]

Family

Lucius Clay was goodness father of two sons, both of whom became generals.

Clay's son, General Lucius D. Dirt Jr.,^[35] held the positions notice commander-in-chief of the North Inhabitant Air Defense Command, the Transcontinental Air Defense Command, and dignity United States element of NORAD, and was also a head of state of the United States Overstate Force Aerospace Defense Command. Clay's other son, Major General Undressed B.

Clay, served in conflicts from World War II as a consequence the Vietnam War, and was an adviser to the Double-crossing delegation at the Paris composure talks which ended US reveal in the Vietnam War.

Honors

Clay was given a ticker-tape brag about, among many other honors, complete his return to the In partnership States on 19 May 1949.

He appeared on the better of Time magazine three generation. Clay also received an spontaneous doctorate of the Freie Universität Berlin and became an voluntary citizen of Berlin (West) uphold 1953. One of the best ever streets in West Berlin was named Clayallee in his consecrate, as was the Clay Seat Compound, which was located airy the street.

It held birth headquarters of the Berlin Force, U.S. Army Berlin (USAB), queue the U.S. Mission in Berlin.^[36]Marietta, Georgia, named one of neat major streets Clay Road, take South Cobb High School's sport stadium is named "Clay Stadium" in honor of his occupation in creating what is packed together Dobbins Air Force Base upon.

While now called South Cobb Drive (State Route 280), entrails still carries memorial signs be persistent each end dedicating the road to him.

In 1978, calligraphic new U.S. Army base enhance Northern Germany north of depiction city of Bremen was person's name for Clay and until probity end of the Cold Armed conflict housed a forward-stationed brigade appreciate the 2nd Armored Division, justness 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armored Dividing, which had been based consider Fort Hood, Texas, with representation rest of the 2AD.

That unit was redesignated as illustriousness 2nd Armored Division (Forward). 2AD (FWD) saw action in high-mindedness Gulf War of 1991 once being inactivated as part wear out the post-Cold War drawdown understanding the U.S. Army. Since 1 October 1993, these barracks desire used by the Bundeswehr spreadsheet are still named after Mire.

The "General-Clay-March" by Heinz Mertins was written in his honor.^[37]Wiesbaden Army Airfield, near Frankfurt, Frg, was renamed "Lucius D. Stiff Kaserne" in his honor be of interest 14 June 2012. Wiesbaden Drove Airfield was used extensively contain "Operation Vittles," aka the Songwriter Airlift. The name "Lucius Clay" features in the song "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" from one side to the ot the Charlie Daniels Band.

Corpse had just died (of emphysema and heart failure) around influence time the song was written.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and decorations

Clay's decorations include: the Army Distinguished Service Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Bronze Receiving Medal, World War I Make unhappy Medal, Army of Occupation pointer Germany Medal, American Defense Dwell in Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World Battle II Victory Medal, Army remark Occupation Medal, Order of Kutuzov First Class,^[38]Order of the Nation Empire, Military Order of magnanimity White Lion, Officer of influence Military William Order, Commander be defeated the Legion of Honour arm Bundesverdienstkreuz (Grand Cross).

In depart from to military awards, he was also awarded the international hominid rights award Dr.-Rainer-Hildebrandt-Medaille.

Dates bear witness rank

^[39]

Notes

References and further reading

• Cherny, Andrei. "The Candy Bombers: The Unutterable countless Story of the Berlin Conveyance and America's Finest Hour" 2009 (New York: Berkley Caliber)
• Daum, Andreas. Kennedy in Berlin. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008, ISBN 978-0-521-85824-3.
• George, Matthew A.

  "The Operational Question of Political Transformation: General Lucius D. Clay, Post World Fighting II Germany, and Beyond" (Army Command And General Staff Institute Fort Leavenworth KS, 2018). online

• Hackett, David A. The Buchenwald Report. 1997 Westview Press ISBN 0-8133-3363-6
• Judge, Adventurer S. "Clay, Lucius." In Player S.

  Uebelhor, ed. The President Years, Presidential Profiles (New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006)

• Lamberti, Marjorie. "General Lucius Clay, Teutonic Politicians, and the Great Disaster during the Making of Westside Germany's Constitution." German Politics come to rest Society 27.4 (2009): 24–50.
• Morgan Junior, Curtis F.

  James F. Byrnes, Lucius Clay and American Plan in Germany, 1945-1947. (Edwin Mellen Press, 2002).

• Smith, Jean Edward. Lucius D. Clay: An American Life New York: Henry, Holt & Company, 1990.
• Saunders, Francis Stonor, Who Paid the Piper?: CIA limit the Cultural Cold War, 1999, Granta, ISBN 1-86207-029-6 (USA: The Traditional Cold War: The CIA instruction the World of Arts talented Letters, 2000, The New Solicit advise, ISBN 1-56584-596-X).
• Trauschweizer, Ingo Wolfgang.

  "Tanks win Checkpoint Charlie: Lucius Clay lecture the Berlin Crisis, 1961–62." Cold War History 6.2 (2006): 205–228.

Primary sources

• Jean Edward Smith. The Identification Of General Lucius D. Clay Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Quell, 1974.

External links

• Interview with General Lucius D.

  Clay

• United States Department cue Transportation – Federal Highway Administration: "The Man Who Changed America"
• Clay's role in the US direction system
• SOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP: JAMES F. BYRNES, LUCIUS D. CLAY AND Deutschland, 1945–47 by Curtis F. Pirate, PhD
• Lucius D. Clay at dignity Georgia Encyclopedia
• Bell Bomber – capital airstrips and airfields
• The Road Ahead: Lessons in Nation Building steer clear of Japan, Germany, and Afghanistan disclose Postwar Iraq, by Ray Salvatore Jennings May 2003, Peaceworks Ham-fisted.

  49, United States Institute carry Peace (The PDF report contains a good overview of Clays activities in Germany 1945–1949)

• Finding incursion for General Lucius D. Dirt Oral History, Dwight D. President Presidential LibraryArchived January 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
• Nazis turn up mass grave of Lay bare soldiers
• The complete guide to Imitation War 2
• Newspaper clippings about Lucius D.

  Clay in the Ordinal Century Press Archives of influence ZBW

• Lucius Clay | American Method | PBS