Herbert B. Powell
Herbert B. Powell | |
|---|---|
 Major General Herbert B. Powell c. 1956 | |
| Born | July 13, 1903 Monmouth, Oregon |
| Died | April 3, 1998 (aged 94) Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1919–1963 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Continental Army Command Third United States Army United States Army Pacific 25th Infantry Division 17th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart Air Medal |
| Other work | United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (1963–67) |
Herbert Butler Powell (July 13, 1903 – April 3, 1998) was a United States Army general and diplomat. He served as Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command, and was later United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
Early life and career[]
Powell was born in Monmouth, Oregon on July 13, 1903. He joined the Oregon National Guard as a private in 1919, rising to the rank of sergeant. He received his commission in 1927 after graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism.
During World War II, Powell was chief of staff of the 75th Infantry Division, fighting in Europe. In the Korean War, Powell commanded the only American regiment, the 17th Infantry, to reach the Yalu River. Powell later commanded the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, where he was known as the "Soldier's General." He briefly commanded the United States Army Pacific for three months, from April to July 1956, as an interim commander for General Blackshear M. Bryan. He later received promotions to lieutenant general and general. Subsequent commands included Commanding General for the Third United States Army in Fort McPherson, Georgia, and Commanding General of the United States Continental Army Command, Fort Monroe, Virginia.
Other significant duties for Powell were Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Deputy Commanding General for Reserve Forces at Fort Monroe. After his retirement in 1963, President John F. Kennedy appointed him the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, a post he filled from 1963 to 1967. He died on 3 April 1998 in a nursing home in Williamsburg, Virginia.[1]
Awards and decorations[]
Powell's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal. He was also a qualified army aviator. Powell was inducted posthumously into the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication Hall of Achievement on October 14, 2004.[2]
References[]
- ^ The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Powell
- ^ "Alumni Recognized for Outstanding Careers". Archived from the original on 2006-09-13. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document: "[1]".
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- 1903 births
- 1998 deaths
- Ambassadors of the United States to New Zealand
- United States Army personnel of the Korean War
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
- People from Monmouth, Oregon
- Recipients of the Air Medal
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- United States Army generals
- University of Oregon alumni