Walter W. Hess

Walter Wood Hess, Jr.
Born	(1892-03-17)March 17, 1892 Pennsylvania
Died	April 10, 1972(1972-04-10) (aged 80) Santa Clara County, California
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1915-1952
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	Artillery Commander, 36th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Allied invasion of Italy Battle of Monte Cassino Operation Shingle Operation Dragoon Colmar Pocket
Awards	Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2)

Walter Wood Hess, Jr.^[1] (March 17, 1892 – April 10, 1972) was a United States Army officer with the rank of Brigadier General. He is most famous for his leadership as the Artillery Commander of the 36th Infantry Division.

Early life

Walter Wood Hess, Jr. was born in March 1892 in Pennsylvania. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated as the part of The class the stars fell on in 1915. There were ultimately 59 generals in that graduating class. For example: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, James Van Fleet, Henry Aurand or Stafford LeRoy Irwin.

He served in France during World War I as an artillery officer commanding a battalion. He participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and Ypres - Lys Offensives.^[2]

World War II

He was appointed an Artillery officer of the 36th Infantry Division in November 1943. He succeeded Brigadier general Miles A. Cowles in this capacity. Hess participated with the 36th Division in landing at Salerno, Battle of Monte Cassino, Battle of Anzio, Operation Dragoon and Colmar Pocket.

For his leadership of the 36th Infantry Division Artillery, Hess was awarded with Legion of Merit^[3] and other awards.

Postwar career

After inactivation of the 36th Infantry Division in December 1945, Hess was transferred to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he was appointed as Assistant Commanding General of the Field Artillery Replacement Training Center. Following year, Hess was appointed as Commanding General of that center and succeeded Major general Donald C. Cubbison.

Hess stayed in this capacity just for a short time, because he was transferred back to the Europe in 1946 and appointed a Chief of U.S. Military Liaison Mission to Soviet Zone in Germany.^[4]

He served there until year 1949, when he was ordered back to the United States and appointed as Executive Officer of the Minnesota Military District. His last command was as Commandant of Fort Carson in Colorado from 1950 to 1952, when he retired.

Brigadier general Walter W. Hess. Jr. died on April 10, 1972 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery together with his wife Ada E. Hess (1893 - 1972).^[5]

Decorations

	Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
	Army Commendation Medal
	World War I Victory Medal with three Battle Clasps
	American Defense Service Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with six Service Stars
	World War II Victory Medal
	Army of Occupation Medal
	National Defense Service Medal

References