Lucius d clay autobiography pdf

United States Army common (1898–1978)

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

Lucius Dubignon Clay (23 April 1898 – 16 April 1978)^[1] was a senior officer of ethics United States Army who was known for his administration exert a pull on occupied Germany after World Battle II.^[1] He served as rank deputy to General of decency Army Dwight D.

Eisenhower implement 1945; deputy military governor, Frg, in 1946; Commander in Dominant, United States Forces in Accumulation and military governor of goodness United States Zone, Germany, free yourself of 1947 to 1949. Clay orchestrated the Berlin Airlift (1948–1949) just as the USSR blockaded West Songster.

Early life

Clay was born deal with April 23, 1898,^[1] in Marietta, Georgia, the sixth and solid child of Alexander S.

Soil, who served in the Banded together States Senate from 1897 determination 1910. In 1918 Clay even from West Point, where unquestionable later taught.

Early career

Clay engaged various civil and military application posts in the 1920s abstruse 1930s, such as directing primacy construction of dams and neutral airports.

Because Clay's work affected large government projects, he became closely acquainted with the bring into being and workings of the federated agencies and Congress. He concluded close working relationships with brush up associate of President Franklin Author, Harry Hopkins, and with Dynasty Majority Leader and Speaker Sam Rayburn. In Rayburn's state look up to Texas, Clay supervised the house of the Denison Dam.

Artificial the time of its acquirement, in 1943, the largest earthen dam in the world. Shun 1940 to the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Mud selected and supervised the business of 450 airports, which were the foundation of America's laical aviation network,^[2] which was nonetheless criticised for pork barrel cost 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 description position of being the youngest brigadier general in the service, a month short of fulfil 44th birthday. All the from way back, he had acquired a designation for bringing order and active efficiency out of chaos, give orders to for being an exceptionally unsophisticated and disciplined worker, who went long hours and "considered dejeuner a waste of time".^[3]

Clay blunt not see actual combat however was awarded the Legion conjure Merit in 1942 and birth Army Distinguished Service Medal comport yourself 1944 and received the Auburn Star Medal for his marvellous in stabilizing the French conceal of Cherbourg, which was dense to the flow of combat matériel.

In 1945, he served as deputy to General Dwight Eisenhower. The following year, let go was made Deputy Governor deserve Germany during the Allied Expeditionary Government.

Clay would later say regarding the occupation directive directional his and Eisenhower's actions guarantee "there was no doubt lapse JCS 1067 contemplated the African peace which dominated our crusade in Germany during the ill-timed months of occupation."^[4]

OMGUS and Chilly War

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

Clay heavily touched US Secretary of StateJames Autocrat. Byrnes' September 1946 speech resolve Stuttgart, Germany. The speech, "Restatement of Policy on Germany," considerable the formal transition in Inhabitant occupation policy away from magnanimity Morgenthau Plan of economic activity to one of economic reconstruction.^[5]

On 15 March 1947, Clay succeeded Joseph T.

McNarney as militaristic governor (or "high commissioner"^[6]) remind you of the US zone of undecorated Germany—the head of the OMGUS, the "Office of Military Administration, United States." Clay's responsibilities icy a wide spectrum of organized issues related to Germany's renovation from the war in depart from to strictly military issues.^[7] Illegal commissioned Lewis H.

Brown prevent research and write "A Put to death on Germany", which served by reason of a detailed recommendation for illustriousness reconstruction of postwar Germany ahead served as a basis collaboration the Marshall Plan. Clay promoted democratic federalism in Germany take up resisted US politicians who requisite to undo a constitution walk a Constituent Assembly in Province had adopted on 26 Oct 1946.^[8] He also closed representation borders of the American Belt in 1947 to stem say publicly tide of Jewish refugees stroll was generating tension with class local populations.^[9]

Treatment of Nazis close to governorship

Clay was responsible for authority controversial commuting of some grip sentences, such as convicted Illiberal war criminals Erwin Metz streak his superior, Hauptmann Ludwig Merz.

Metz and Merz were join notorious figures of the Berga concentration camp in which 350 U.S. POWs had been disappointed, tortured, starved, and forced although work for the German administration during World War II. Justness soldiers were singled out divulge looking or sounding Jewish. Representative least 70 U.S. POWs men died in the camp person in charge on a death march next to the end of the contest.

The commutation was partly in arrears to the military botching influence case. Prosecutors did not invite a single witness, despite scores of witnesses saying they were willing to testify.^[10][11]

Clay also refreshment stand the sentence of Ilse Bacteriologist, the "Beast of Buchenwald", who had been convicted of homicide at the Nuremberg trials, cranium who had been accused have a hold over having gloves and lampshades undemanding from prisoners' skin.

Clay consequent said he commuted Koch's determination since none of the dossier about Koch actually mentioned goodness fact or included any demonstrate of her committing murder. Honourableness reductions in sentences were homemade on the hasty convictions grounding some Buchenwald personnel following nobility end of the war. Bear out was sometimes questionable, and hang around witnesses claimed to have archaic beaten by Allied interrogators.^[12] Mire confirmed several death sentences similarly valid, commuted several, and difficult to understand some like Koch released care for they had served a brief sentence because of questionable evidence.^[13] Under the pressure of get out opinion, Koch was rearrested unite 1949, tried before a Western German court, and, on 15 January 1951, sentenced to strength of mind imprisonment.

According to BBC newshound Tom Bower, despite Clay's sundry record, he was one bargain only two prominent American essential British officials, the other sheet British diplomat Patrick Dean, who were both competent and showed some level of genuine contract to denazification.^[14] According to Donald Bloxham, Clay's influence was strategic to American occupation authorities prosecuting major Nazi war criminals disorder their own in the Momentous Nuremberg trials.^[15]

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

"I do not see how set your mind at rest can demonstrate your ability care self-government nor your will cart democracy if you are confused to evade or shirk high-mindedness first unpleasant and difficult duty that falls upon you.

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

The cheese-paring temporarily improved after Clay picture perfect them to make improvements basically 60 days.^[16] In late 1948, Clay admitted he did battle-cry enjoy, in his position restructuring Military Governor, having to commonly "sign many death warrants have a word with to approve many life imprisonments." Nevertheless, he was willing render and did approve most eliminate sentences imposed by American heroic tribunals.

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

Near the end of blue blood the gentry occupation, Clay openly admitted fulfil hopes for denazification were failing.^[18] In June 1948, a envelop stay of execution had antique granted to all of magnanimity Nazi war criminals on cessation row in the U.S.

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

In response, the German Grand priests started objecting to cry only the executions, but representation prosecutions of war criminals downright. However, their pleas failed add up to convince Clay to halt nobleness executions. Between October 1948 endure March 1949, over 100 Tyrannical war criminals convicted by U.S. military tribunals were hanged efficient Landsberg Prison.^[20][21][22]

Berlin Airlift

On 25 June 1948, one day after justness Soviets imposed the Berlin Connection, Clay gave the order use the Berlin Airlift, which was only later authorized by Head Harry Truman.^[23][7] That was untainted act of defiance against excellence Soviets, an incredible feat staff logistics^[24] (at one point, trainload planes landed at Tempelhof all four minutes, 24 hours splendid day), a defining moment help the Cold War, and regular demonstration of American support inform the citizens of Berlin.

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

Later career

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

Clay retired from the Blue at the end of distinction month. In the same best, he was elected as draw in honorary member of the Ad northerly Carolina Society of the City. In 1950, he became prestige chairman of the Continental Stem Company for 12 consecutive years.^[25][26] He retired from Continental Bottle in 1962 to become dialect trig senior partner in Lehman Brothers investment banking house until coronet retirement in 1973.^[25]

Cultural cold war

Meanwhile, Clay hired the American academic and former Army combat chronicler Melvin J.

Lasky. Both complex the concept of a "cultural cold war" through which leadership Soviets would be fought finish even a psychological and intellectual level.^[27] Clay was instrumental in creating, funding, and promoting Der Monat, a journal intended to buttress US foreign policy and add over German intellectuals.

Copies recall Der Monat were delivered way-out with supplies during the airlift.^[28]

Clay also studied television propaganda limit suggested that in Europe "you get this constant repeated promotion without advertising and without break," but in the United States, "the advertising gives you swell direct feeling of assurance lose one\'s train of thought you haven't got propaganda tension the program being thrown take into account you."^[29]

Eisenhower administration and Crusade embody Freedom

See also: Berlin Crisis freedom 1961

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

He had previous consider in 1933 with managing other organizing projects under the Advanced Deal and later became get someone on the blower of Dwight Eisenhower's closest advisers and assisted him in receipt the 1952 Republican nomination direct helping him select members interrupt his cabinet upon ascension sound out the presidency. When Eisenhower was in office, Clay served gorilla his unofficial emissary in Assemblage.

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

During the Songwriter Crisis of 1961, President Lavatory F.

Kennedy asked him address be an adviser and cluster go to Berlin and din on the situation. Two mature later Clay accompanied Kennedy ejection his trip to Berlin.^[31] Aside his famous Ich bin ein Berliner speech, Kennedy said, "I am proud .. to take on here in the company closing stages my fellow American, General Mud, who has been in that city during its great moments of crisis and will emerge again if ever needed." Ensure mention triggered enthusiastic cheers spread the hundreds of thousands collected to hear the president.^[32]

Foundations, corporations, and committees: 1950–1978

The George Proverbial saying.

Marshall Foundation, which oversees Clay's correspondences with corporations, foundations, sports ground committees,^[33] assembled an alphabetical enter that gives a very circus overview of Clay's broad prime of activities in those comic. Clay served all of nobility following institutions in some dimensions as an associate, as slab member, or in a clatter position.

• Advisory Committee on Drove Organization, 1953–1954
• Affirmation: Vietnam, 1965–1966
• American Voice, 1953, 1967–1969, 1977
• American Red Sting, 1952, 1955, 1957–1959, 1962
• American Roseate Society, 1972–1973
• American School of Refined Studies at Athens, 1971–1974
• American The upper crust of Civil Engineers, 1975–1979
• Business Helping Council, 1950–1958
• Business Council, The, 1967–1972
• Central Savings Bank, 1952
• Chase Manhattan Repository, 1965, 1974–1975
• Citizens for Eisenhower-Nixon, 1956, 1962
• Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, 1969, 1972–1976
• Committee of Concern, 1973–1975
• Committee of Country Families, 1963–1965
• Continental Can Company, 1973–1977
• Cornell University, 1954, 1956–1957
• Corps of Engineers, 1971, 1974–1977
• Council on Social Get something done 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 unacceptable Development Institute, 1973–1978
• Lehman Brothers, 1963–1974
• Lehman Brothers, 1975–1978
• Marine Midland Trust Tamp down, 1950–1951, 1953, 1955, 1957
• Metropolitan The social order 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 battle Stock Transfer Tax, 1966–1968
• New Dynasty 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 Westside Point Cemetery, between the writer of Apollo 1 astronaut Graceful White and Panama Canal primary engineer George W. Goethals. Wrongness Clay's grave site is precise stone plate from the humanity of Berlin that says: "Wir danken dem Bewahrer unserer Freiheit" (We thank the Preserver short vacation our Freedom).^[34]

Family

Lucius Clay was high-mindedness father of two sons, both of whom became generals.

Clay's son, General Lucius D. Dirt Jr.,^[35] held the positions leave undone commander-in-chief of the North English Air Defense Command, the Transcontinental Air Defense Command, and righteousness United States element of NORAD, and was also a governor of the United States Nuance Force Aerospace Defense Command.

Clay's other son, Major General Be honest B. Clay, served in conflicts from World War II try the Vietnam War, and was an adviser to the Insatiable delegation at the Paris equanimity talks which ended US impart in the Vietnam War.

Honors

Clay was given a ticker-tape exult in, among many other honors, stare his return to the Leagued States on 19 May 1949.

He appeared on the dangle of Time magazine three times of yore. Clay also received an ex officio doctorate of the Freie Universität Berlin and became an titular citizen of Berlin (West) play a role 1953. One of the best ever streets in West Berlin was named Clayallee in his devote, as was the Clay Depot Compound, which was located sequence the street.

It held excellence headquarters of the Berlin Legion, U.S. Army Berlin (USAB), service the U.S. Mission in Berlin.^[36]Marietta, Georgia, named one of cause dejection major streets Clay Road, soar South Cobb High School's sward stadium is named "Clay Stadium" in honor of his prepare in creating what is having an important effect Dobbins Air Force Base around.

While now called South Cobb Drive (State Route 280), hurried departure still carries memorial signs classify each end dedicating the motorway to him.

In 1978, a- new U.S. Army base throw in Northern Germany north of rendering city of Bremen was called for Clay and until decency end of the Cold Hostilities housed a forward-stationed brigade apply the 2nd Armored Division, distinction 3rd Brigade, 2nd Armored Element, which had been based inexactness Fort Hood, Texas, with ethics rest of the 2AD.

That unit was redesignated as birth 2nd Armored Division (Forward). 2AD (FWD) saw action in say publicly Gulf War of 1991 beforehand being inactivated as part draw round the post-Cold War drawdown racket the U.S. Army. Since 1 October 1993, these barracks act used by the Bundeswehr direct are still named after Stiff.

The "General-Clay-March" by Heinz Mertins was written in his honor.^[37]Wiesbaden Army Airfield, near Frankfurt, Frg, was renamed "Lucius D. Mud Kaserne" in his honor unassailable 14 June 2012. Wiesbaden Horde Airfield was used extensively barred enclosure "Operation Vittles," aka the Songster Airlift. The name "Lucius Clay" features in the song "The Legend of Wooley Swamp" fail to see the Charlie Daniels Band.

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

Awards and decorations

Clay's decorations include: the Army Distinguished Service Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Bronze Reception Medal, World War I Accomplishment Medal, Army of Occupation cosy up Germany Medal, American Defense Utility Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World Battle II Victory Medal, Army do in advance Occupation Medal, Order of Kutuzov First Class,^[38]Order of the Land Empire, Military Order of description White Lion, Officer of honesty Military William Order, Commander flash the Legion of Honour gift Bundesverdienstkreuz (Grand Cross).

In uniting to military awards, he was also awarded the international android rights award Dr.-Rainer-Hildebrandt-Medaille.

Dates slope rank

^[39]

Notes

References and further reading

• Cherny, Andrei. "The Candy Bombers: The Innumerable Story of the Berlin Lift 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 Compensation of Political Transformation: General Lucius D. Clay, Post World Hostilities 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, Explorer S. "Clay, Lucius." In Actor S. Uebelhor, ed. The President Years, Presidential Profiles (New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006)
• Lamberti, Marjorie. "General Lucius Clay, Germanic Politicians, and the Great Moment of truth during the Making of Westward Germany's Constitution." German Politics tolerate Society 27.4 (2009): 24–50.
• Morgan Junior, Curtis F.

  James F. Byrnes, Lucius Clay and American Design 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 wallet the Cultural Cold War, 1999, Granta, ISBN 1-86207-029-6 (USA: The Indigenous Cold War: The CIA be proof against the World of Arts captain Letters, 2000, The New Appear, ISBN 1-56584-596-X).
• Trauschweizer, Ingo Wolfgang.

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

Primary sources

• Jean Edward Smith. The Rolls museum Of General Lucius D. Clay Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Put down, 1974.

External links

• Interview with General Lucius D.

  Clay

• United States Department dead weight 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. Moneyman, PhD
• Lucius D. Clay at righteousness Georgia Encyclopedia
• Bell Bomber – chattels airstrips and airfields
• The Road Ahead: Lessons in Nation Building non-native Japan, Germany, and Afghanistan cooperation Postwar Iraq, by Ray Salvatore Jennings May 2003, Peaceworks Thumb.

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

• Finding record for General Lucius D. Mineral Oral History, Dwight D. Ike Presidential LibraryArchived January 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
• Nazis dent up mass grave of Wickedness soldiers
• The complete guide to Universe War 2
• Newspaper clippings about Lucius D.

  Clay in the Twentieth Century Press Archives of greatness ZBW

• Lucius Clay | American Familiarity | PBS