Leonard T. Gerow papers

Location of collection:

Virginia Military Institute Archives

Preston Library

Virginia Military Institute

345 Letcher Ave.

Lexington, VA 24450-0304

Contact for questions and access:

POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak

Email: archives@vmi.edu

Phone: (540) 464-7516

Phone: (540) 464-7566

Fax: (540) 464-7089

Web: www.vmi.edu/archives

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Preferred citation:

Leonard T. Gerow papers, 1911-1970. MS 0100. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:

0.50 cubic feet approximately 120 items

Creator:

Gerow, Leonard T. (Leonard Townsend), 1888-1972

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

Leonard T. Gerow papers, 1911-1970. MS 0100. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The Leonard T. Gerow papers consist of documents and photographs (approximately 120 items) from the military career of United States Army General Gerow. The collection includes correspondence with General Dwight D. Eisenhower, autobiographical material, speeches (1945 to 1948), and photographs. Material complementary to this collection is in Gerow's student/alumni file, which is located in the VMI Archives.

Letter states that Leonard T. Gerow needs Dwight D. Eisenhower in the War Plans Division.

In the letter, Leonard T. Gerow withdraws his request for Dwight D. Eisenhower's "detail to" the War Plans Division.

Written from Fort Lewis, Washington. The letter expresses Leonard T. Gerow's regret that Dwight D. Eisenhower will not be assigned to the War Plans Division.

Written from Fort Lewis, Washington. In the letter, Leonard T. Gerow asks Dwight D. Eisenhower if he would like to come to Washington as his executive or remain as Chief of Staff.

In the telegram, Dwight D. Eisenhower states that it is "unwise to leave Lewis in the near future."

Written from San Antonio, Texas. The letter regards Dwight D. Eisenhower's orders to Lewis, current staffing, and family matters.

Letter regards news of the War, matters in Washington, D.C., and Leonard T. Gerow's health.

The letter reads "congratulations and all good wishes from us both."

Letter congratulates Dwight D. Eisenhower on his promotion and regards the current status of the War Department.

Letter regards Dwight D. Eisenhower's appointment. Letter also mentions that Leonard T. Gerow's division is moving to "Carolina for two months" maneuver.

Letter regards Dwight D. Eisenhower's appointment and day-to-day activities.

Letter regards military missions and family news.

Letter congratulates Dwight D. Eisenhower on North African operations.

Letter congratulates Dwight D. Eisenhower on his four-star promotion and mentions a "secret letter" on training.

Letter regards the importance of training and Dwight D. Eisenhower's military-related advice to Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter regards news of the War and a recent trip taken by Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter regards Leonard T. Gerow's recent promotion. Letter also congratulates Dwight D. Eisenhower on his "continued success."

Letter congratulates Dwight D. Eisenhower on his "grand victory." Letter also contains an enclosure (dated September 9, 1943) from General Sir Hugh Ellis to Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter thanks Leonard T. Gerow for his congratulations and provides general news of the War.

Letter regards a recent trip taken by Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Letter regards a package of cheese and mentions the capture of Cherbourg, France.

Letter regards general news of the War.

Letter thanks Leonard T. Gerow for lunch and mentions having Gerow visit soon.

Letter encloses a copy of a strategic military idea proposed by Donald C. Smick, a solider under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Letter regards the end of the Combined Command.

Letter regards Leonard T. Gerow's retirement party.

Letter regards Leonard T. Gerow's retirement.

Letter regards general news and greetings.

In the letter Dwight D. Eisenhower wishes Leonard T. Gerow a happy anniversary.

Letter regards a recent trip to Virginia.

Letter is a personal greeting to Leonard T. Gerow and his wife.

Letter regards Leonard T. Gerow serving as Grand Marshal of the Inaugural Parade.

Letter regards Dwight D. Eisenhower's new position.

Letter is a personal greeting to Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter invites Leonard T. Gerow to a dinner on June 24, 1954. Also included is a list of dinner guests and notes about the evening.

Letter wishes Leonard T. Gerow a happy birthday.

Letter wishes Leonard T. Gerow a happy birthday.

Letter wishes Leonard T. Gerow a happy birthday.

Letter is a personal greeting to Leonard T. Gerow and his wife.

Letter is an invitation to the Inagural ceremonies.

Letter invites Letter Leonard T. Gerow and his wife to sit in the Reviewing Stand for the Inaugural Parade.

Letter is a personal greeting to Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter wishes Leonard T. Gerow a happy birthday.

Letter is a personal greeting to Leonard T. Gerow.

Letter mentions D-Day and expresses gratitude for Leonard T. Gerow.

Appointment book contains very brief entries noting assignments and promotions.

Map of Normandy beachhead, 33.5 inches x 40 inches, labeled "Operation Map of the V Corps Attack and landing on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944. This map was carried ashore on D-Day by Lt. General L. T. Gerow, then Major General and Commander of the V Corps, VMI Class of 1911."

Biographical / historical:

Date	Event
1888 July 13	Born in Petersburg, Virginia to Leonard Rogers Gerow and Annie Eloise Saunders.
1911	Graduated from VMI and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.
1911-1918	Served with 19th Infantry and subsequently the 37th and 57th Infantry. Stationed in Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, and Vera Cruz, Mexico.
1918 April-1919 October	Signal Corps Officer, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), France. Officer in charge of purchasing and disbursing.
1919-1921	Commanding Officer, Signal Corps School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
1921-1941 December	Served in Washington D.C., the Philippines, and China. During this period, Gerow graduated from the Advanced Course, Infantry School, Fort Benning (1925), the Command and General Staff School (1926), and the Army War College (1931).
1941 December-1942 February	Named Chief of War Plans Division and Assistant Chief of Staff.
1942 February	Named Commander of the 29th Infantry Division, Fort George Meade, Maryland.
1942 October 29	Division to England.
1943 July	Named Commanding General, Fifth (V) Corps.
1945 January 15	Assumed command of the Fifteenth Army, European Theater.
1945 October	Returned to the United States and was assigned as Commandant of the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
1948 January	Assumed command of the Second Army, with headquarters at Fort George Meade, Maryland.
1950 July 31	Retired as a Lieutenant General.
1954 July	Appointed as a four-star General by an act of Congress.
1972 October 12	Died at age 84 in Fort Lee Army Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia.

Physical location:

Manuscripts stacks and Oversized Case 2

Related

Other descriptive data:

July 28, 1941

Dear Ike:

Washington is a madhouse as usual. First the Russo situation made us do some fast thinking and long-range estimating. I do not think that the Germans are moving as fast as they expected to, but in my opinion they will lick the Russians before winter sets in. Wish it could be otherwise.

Would liked to have kept the Japs quiescent for a few months longer but they had "ants in their pants" and just had to move somewhere. Indo-China looked like a cripple so they walked in. I rather doubt that they will move south and feel that they will sit tight in the north until Germany trims Russia. Even our brothers in South America seem to be bitten by the war bug. Ecuador and Peru caused us a little extra work over the week end. Of course, the Axis powers are back of most of these disturbances.

My health is fine and I hope to keep it so. Exercise is limited to occasional golf on Sunday. I would like to have more time outdoors. We limit our social activities to official affairs. I am too old to work all day and then play all night.

Mary Louise joins me in love to Mamie and yourself. I would love to see you both.

Fort George Meade, Maryland

Major General D. D. Eisenhower,

Dear Ike:

My division is moving to A. P. Hill in echelons. One regiment left this morning, and the remainder of the division will complete its concentration next week. The Command Post will close here at noon on April 21st. All preparations have been made at A. P. Hill.

I am still like a child with a new toy, and feel that I am really accomplished something. Have lost about ten pounds and feel fine. A. P. Hill will give us a wonderful opportunity to get in some real field training. If the War Department will stop stealing my units, personnel and equipment, this Division will be ready to go places by the end of July.

Hope you are not working too hard. Judging from the newspapers, the situation, except in Burma and the Indian Ocean, is not so bad. I chuckle about the press reports I see concerning command in the Southwest Pacific. The underground story must be good.

Will be seeing you soon. Best of love to Mamie and yourself.

Headquarters

Dear Gee,

I knew, of course, that when I got a letter from you it would contain all the nice things you had to say about my appointment here. Better than that, I knew that in your case they would be honest and sincere. In return, I can only any that there is, as you know, no one else in the whole army whose good opinion means so much to me as yours. I hope also that you will not for one minute, believe that you are stymied in division command. While anyone commanding one of our divisions has a man-sized job and need not be bothering his head about anything else, the fact is that you are so eminently fitted for the highest commands that they will never be able to let you stay there long. My visits here merely bear out the conviction you and I have held for many years, that corps, army, and even higher commanders, have to be relatively young men.

Another thing I have noted in going about here, that two things which cannot be over-emphasized are, physical condition of the men, and skill in handling motor transportation. The other day I ran into a division which had just completed ninety miles in three days. It was in fine shape, and it was easy to see that those Britishers were exceedingly proud of what they had done. On the other hand, I do not believe they have made as great advances in handling motor transport as we have. The problem of having it when you want it, using it as you need it, and then getting it out of the way when you don't want it, is really something to solve.

I sincerely hope that your division will get the men and equipment it needs, and then be left alone under your guidance. It they do that, it will be a top-flight outfit and I should be proud to have it here. Which reminds me that I have not looked up to see whether we are asking for divisions by name or merely by total number - I'll have to find out about that. Since you wrote, the powers-that-be have given me a promotion. I'm quite well aware that this does not put any more brains into my thick skull, but it is noticeable that it helps considerably in dealing with the British officers, particularly here in London where much of my work is with the War Office, the Chief of Air Force and so on. Also it places, in the eyes of the British, a certain War Department stamp of approval upon me, thus allowing me to speak in a little louder voice in some of our meetings. I have been quite astonished to find that these people do not seem to resent my frequently fluent flow of Western Kansas profanity. In fact they seem to like it.

Scrappy is doing a good job in the 5th Corps and has two fine Division Commanders, Ward and Ryder. Just today he at last got rid of an unsatisfactory Chief of Staff, and I feel very content with the progress in that sector. J.C.H. Lee is doing well with the S.O.S., and Spaatz with the Air Force. I sincerely hope that soon you will bring your division over here, although I suspect it will be a corps rather than a division that you bring.

With best of luck and much love to Mary-Louise.

Major General Leonard T. Gerow,

15 February 1943

Dear Ike:

Hartle very kindly let me have a copy of your secret letter, dated January 15th, on training. It is absolutely in accord with my own views on the subject, and just what I have been trying to accomplish in this division. It takes all one's drive and energy to get the real picture down to the Grade 7 soldier. I find inertia and a lack of appreciation of real warfare in all echelons of command, and my most difficult job has been to educate and build up enthusiasm in subordinate commanders. When I can reach the soldier direct, I get an immediate and intelligent response. With due regard to secrecy, I am personally reading your letter to all officers of the division in the hope and belief that it will drive home to them the seriousness of this game and the necessity of perfection in all details.

I shall miss Everett on my infrequent trips to London. In addition to the help he gave me in supply matters, my talks with him always boosted my morale and sent me back to the country with a new lease on life. I am glad you have him with you. He is loyal, unselfish and sound. Lean on him. Give him my best.

Best of luck and every good wish for future successes. I am proud of you. Don't bother to answer this. I know how busy you are.

ALLIED FORCE HEADQUARTERS

Dear Gee:

The letter I wrote to Hartle on training was from my heart. Moreover, it is not nearly as strong in its language as I would like to make it. I got back this morning from the battlefront. I wish that every Division Commander in the United States Army could go up there right now and see the consequences, the appalling consequences, of failure to achieve in advance some measure of battlefield discipline, to teach his men the essentials of scouting, patrolling and security, to insist upon initiative on the part of every leader from Corporal up, and finally to harden his men to the point that the physique of man can achieve no more. After the first few days our men did splendidly but in those first few we paid a big price. We have the greatest material in the world but our men meat learn what a serious business this is, they must know that their own lives depend upon the thoroughness with which they learn the lessons taught, and officers that fail to devote themselves completely and exclusively to the task must be ruthlessly weeded out. Considerations of friendship, family, kindliness and nice personality have nothing whatever to do with the problem. We owe it to the service to which we belong and certainly we owe it to the men, whose lives depend upon the energy, keenness and thoroughness that we display.

I feel so strongly on this subject that I could write reams. It is enough to say that yours is one division in which I know that everything that one man can do will be done. The only thing on which I would venture to give the slightest advice is that you must be tough. You may not be able to discover among your men those that will be the best battle leaders, but you can find those who are this minute endangering the battle success of your whole command. They are the lazy, the slothful, the indifferent or the complacent. Get rid of them if you have to write letters the rest of your life. Special subjects I would bring to your attention are mine detection, the use of land mines in defense, thorough training in every possible means of anti-tank defense, and in defense against low-flying aircraft. Ground troops themselves must provide their own protection against the dive-bomber. The 50 caliber and rifle fire must be used. Insist that your men get under cover and start a volume of well directed fire into the air. If you don't, in their first battle they will be demoralized, an easy prey to the enemy's infantry and tanks that may come along even in inconsequential numbers. Battle casualties among personnel from the dive-bomber are almost nil, but their moral effect is tremendous. Your truck and vehicle discipline must be perfect; otherwise the enemy's aircraft will knock out 40 or 50 at a whack. That is a sad sight to see along the road when you realize how much shipping space you gave up to bring those same trucks thousands of miles across the ocean. For God's sake don't keep anybody around that you say to yourself "He may get by"--he won't. Throw him out and I am sure that your Theater Commander, knowing the deadly seriousness of all this, will back you up to the hilt.

Your letters are always a treat. Write me again when you have the chance, and again many thanks for the thoughtfulness of your note. As ever,

Indexed terms

Subjects:

United States. Army—Officers—Biography
Virginia Military Institute—Alumni—Biography
Virginia Military Institute—Class of 1911
Generals—United States—Biography
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945—Campaigns—Europe
Military records
Correspondence
Photographs
Speeches, Addresses, etc.

Names:

Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969