Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh

Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh was a United States Army lieutenant general. He served as the operations officer of the U.S. II Corps in Africa during World War II and commanded the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War.

Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh
Ferenbaugh as a Brigadier General, probably when he was commander of the Military District of Washington
BornMarch 16, 1899 (1899-03-16)
Dresden, New York
DiedSeptember 10, 1975 (1975-09-11) (aged 76)
Washington, D.C.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1918–1958
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands heldMilitary District of Washington
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
7th Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Air Medal
Purple Heart

Early Life and start of military career

Ferenbaugh was born in Dresden, New York on March 16, 1899. He attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1918 and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant of infantry.[1][2][3]

World War I

Having graduated from West Point in November, Ferenbaugh arrived in Europe too late to take part in World War I combat. Like many other junior officers in the same circumstances, he carried out an observation tour of European battlefields, including visits to France, Belgium and Germany.[4]

Post-World War I

Ferenbaugh remained in the Army after the war ended. He was a 1920 graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, afterwards serving throughout the United States and overseas, including assignments at Fort Benning, Georgia, Vancouver, Washington, and in Hawaii and the Philippines.[5] In 1932, Ferenbaugh graduated from the Signal School Command Officer Course.[6] Ferenbaugh graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1937, and from the Army War College in 1940.[7][8]

World War II

After service on the General Staff at the War Department, in 1943 Ferenbaugh was assigned as operations officer, G-3 of the U.S. II Corps, and was responsible for planning and overseeing execution of combat actions during the North African Campaign.[9] After his assignment with II Corps, Ferenbaugh served as assistant division commander of the 83rd Infantry Division.[10]

Post-World War II

Ferenbaugh's service continued after World War II, including assignment as commander, of the Military District of Washington, chief of staff for the Operation Sandstone atomic tests, and commander at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He also served as president of the National Infantry Association in the late 1940s.[11][12][13][14]

Korean War

In 1951, Ferenbaugh was named commander of the 7th Infantry Division. His assignment also included membership on the Allied Negotiating Team that negotiated peace terms with North Korea.[15][16][17][18][19]

Post-Korean War
LTG Claude B. Ferenbaugh (right), deputy Eighth Army commander, presents a check for $595 to Mrs. On Soon Whang, director of the Orphans' Home of Korea, Cheju Island. Chief of staff BG Dwight E. Beach observes. The check is the semi-annual interest on the orphanage's perpetual support trust fund. Stars and Stripes, March 1, 1955

From July 1953 to December 1954, Ferenbaugh served as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe. In 1955, he returned to South Korea as deputy commander of the Eighth United States Army, remaining in this assignment until his 1958 retirement.[20][21]

Awards and decorations

Ferenbaugh received multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal. He also received the Silver Star twice, the Legion of Merit three times, the Bronze Star twice, two awards of the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.[22][23][24]

Retirement and death

In retirement, General Ferenbaugh resided in Washington, D.C. He died at his home on September 10, 1975, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 7, Site 8083 A, RH.[25][26][27]

References
  1. California Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893-1957, record of 30 June 1925 arrival date at San Francisco
  2. 1920 U.S. Census Listing, Claude B. Ferenbaugh
  3. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S Military Academy, Volume 6 B, by George Washington Cullum, 1920, page 2131
  4. Official Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1935, page 226
  5. Magazine article, New Command Team in Korea, TIME magazine, March 5, 1951
  6. Newspaper article, Army Signal School Graduates 221 TODAY, New York Times, June 13, 1932
  7. Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 234
  8. Study project, a Historical Perspective of the Army War College Class of 1940, by Trent N. Thomas and Charles F. Moler, 1987, page 14
  9. Normandy to Victory: the War Diary of General Courtney H. Hodges, by William C. Sylvan and John T. Greenwood, 2008, pages 418 to 419
  10. Web page, 83rd Infantry Division in the Eastern Theater of Operations, U.S. Center of Military History
  11. Newspaper article, Battle Royal Brewing Over River Projects, by Associated Press, published in Sarasota Herald-Tribune, May 4, 1947
  12. Newspaper article, ROTC, Unit Aide Gets Army Citation, Baltimore Afro-American, August 17, 1946
  13. Infantry Journal, Volumes 60-61, 1946, page 62
  14. Infantry Journal, Volumes 62-63, 1948, page 64
  15. Seventh Infantry Division: 1917 to 1992, Turner Publishing, Paducha, Kentucky, 1991, page 51
  16. Magazine article, New Command Team in Korea, TIME magazine, March 5, 1951
  17. U.S. General Pinned Down; But Ferenbaugh and Aides Escape From Chinese Trap, New York Times, May 25, 1951
  18. Newspaper article, Truce Parley Ends After Six Minutes, Los Angeles Times, January 20, 1952
  19. Newspaper article, New UN Concession on Airfields Is Seen, Milwaukee Journal, January 24, 1952
  20. Web page, List of Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army, Europe Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine, published by U.S. Army, Europe
  21. Newspaper article, Taylor's New Aide in Korea, New York Times, January 3, 1955
  22. Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 234
  23. Current Biography, published by H.W. Wilson company, Volume 13, 1952, Page 25
  24. "Military Times, Hall of Valor, Alphabetical Index of Recipients of Major Military Awards". Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  25. Newspaper article, Obituary, Gen. Ferenbaugh, 75, A Korea Commander, New York Times, September 11, 1975
  26. Social Security Death Index
  27. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Online National Cemetery Gravesite Locator
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