Albert W. Waldron

Major General Albert Whitney Waldron (January 13, 1892 – June 21, 1961) was an American soldier and General during World War II. He replaced Major General Edwin F. Harding, as the commander of the 32nd Infantry Division during the Battle of Buna–Gona and was wounded in the shoulder on 5 December 1942 after being shot by a sniper. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal for his actions during World War II.[1][2]

Albert Whitney Waldron
General Albert W. Waldron (center, facing forward) commanding general, 32nd Division Artillery, discusses plans for the impending battle on 15 November 1942.
Born(1892-01-13)January 13, 1892
Rochester, New York
DiedJune 21, 1961(1961-06-21) (aged 69)
San Francisco, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1915-1946
Rank Major General
Service number0-3795
Commands held 32nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsPancho Villa Expedition
World War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal

Early military career

Albert Whitney Waldron was born on January 13, 1892, in Rochester, New York. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1911 and graduated four years later as a part of "the class the stars fell on" (59 members of this class became general officers during World War II). For example: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, James Van Fleet, Henry Aurand, Stafford LeRoy Irwin, John W. Leonard and others. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in field artillery on June 12, 1915.[3]

His first military assignment was with 4th Field Artillery Regiment stationed at Texas City, Texas. His unit was subsequently transferred to the Brownsville, Texas, where he served until March 1916, when he participated in Pancho Villa Expedition. After seven months of service in Mexico, Waldron returned to the United States in October 1916 and was stationed at Eagle Pass, Texas.

Decorations

Here is Major General Waldron´s ribbon bar:

1st Row Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Purple Heart
2nd Row Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal with four Battle Clasps Army of Occupation of Germany Medal American Defense Service Medal
3rd Row Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two service stars American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal French Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with Palm

References

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