Charles D. Palmer

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General Charles Day Palmer, Jr. (February 20, 1902 – June 7, 1999) was a senior United States Army officer who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B. Palmer, was also a four-star general, and his grandfather, William E. Birkhimer, was a general and Medal of Honor recipient.

Early life

Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 20, 1902.^[1][2] After graduating from Washington High School in Washington, D.C., he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1924.^[2]

Military career

As the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Palmer, then a major, was in the British West Indies working to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare projects. Palmer went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division, then commanded by Major General Edward H. Brooks, and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô, and crossing the Siegfried Line.

During Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern France in August 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general.

Palmer was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted. He was the commander of the division artillery and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns.

Palmer's later posts included Commander,

and Deputy Commander of United States forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962.

Awards and decorations

	oak leaf clusters
	Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit
	Distinguished Flying Cross
	Bronze Star Medal
	Air Medal

Post military career

After retiring from the army, Palmer settled in Washington and worked as a military consultant with the

Palmer died in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 1999, at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community.[1] He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, next to his brother and wife Eugenia K.^[3]

References

External links

• Generals of World War II
• United States Army Officers 1939–1945