Franklin C. Sibert
Franklin Cummings Sibert | |
---|---|
Born | Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States | January 3, 1891
Died | June 24, 1980 Fort Walton Beach, Florida, United States | (aged 89)
Buried | Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1912–1946 |
Rank | Major General |
Service number | 0-3394 |
Unit | Infantry Branch |
Commands held | X Corps 6th Infantry Division 32nd Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) |
Relations | William L. Sibert (father) Edwin L. Sibert (brother) |
Major General Franklin Cummings Sibert (January 3, 1891 – June 24, 1980) was a United States Army officer. During World War II, Sibert was originally the commander of the 6th Infantry Division but was promoted to command the X Corps of General Walter Krueger's US Sixth Army. His corps took part in the landing operations of the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines.
Early years
Sibert was born on January 3, 1891, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as a son of future Major General William L. Sibert and his wife Mary Margaret Cummings. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated on June 12, 1912.[1] Several of his fellow graduates, like Sibert himself, would attain general officer rank, such as Gilbert R. Cook, John S. Wood, Wade H. Haislip, Stephen J. Chamberlin, Walton Walker, Harry J. Malony, William H. Wilbur, Robert McGowan Littlejohn, Archibald Vincent Arnold, Millard Harmon, Raymond O. Barton, Albert E. Brown, and Walter M. Robertson. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry on the same date. One year later, Sibert married Helen Mildred Rogers on March 4, 1913.
During World War I, Sibert served with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France, initially as an aide-de-camp to his father, who commanded the 1st Division from June−December 1917, before commanding a machine gun battalion. With the war over, he subsequently served with the allied occupation forces in Germany.[1]
After the war, Sibert attended the
In 1934, Sibert served as a battalion commanding officer in the
World War II
In 1939, Sibert spent some time in
Sibert was then appointed the commanding officer of the
During a visit [to] the Wakde−Maffin Bay area a few days ago, I was impressed with Sibert's skilful handling of his troops. He is cool and very aggressive and his troops reflect that spirit....He is aggressive and has the punch to be expected of a corps commander who may at any time be required to command a large, independent task force in action.[1]
After commanding the 6th Infantry Division, he commanded the US X Corps from August 1944 until the end of the war. Under his command his X Corps participated in the New Guinea, Southern Philippines[6] and Leyte campaigns.[7]
Post World War II
Sibert retired from the Army on June 30, 1946. After his retirement, he and his wife lived in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, until his death on June 24, 1980.[8] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[9]
Decorations
1st row | Army Distinguished Service Medal | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
2nd row | Silver Star | Oak Leaf Cluster
|
Oak Leaf Cluster
|
Air Medal |
3rd row | Mexican Border Service Medal | World War I Victory Medal with four campaign clasps |
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal | American Defense Service Medal |
4th row | American Campaign Medal | campaign stars
|
World War II Victory Medal
|
Philippine Liberation Medal with two stars |
Bibliography
- Taaffe, Stephen R. (2013). Marshall and His Generals: U.S. Army Commanders in World War II. OCLC 840162019.
References
- ^ a b c d e Taaffe 2013, p. 144.
- ^ https://digital-library.usma.edu/digital/collection/p16919coll3/id/23278/rec/6
- ^ https://digital-library.usma.edu/digital/collection/p16919coll3/id/23278/rec/6
- ^ Taaffe 2013, pp. 144−145.
- ^ Taaffe 2013, p. 145.
- ^ Taaffe 2013, pp. 234−235.
- ^ Taaffe 2013, pp. 210, 212, 213, 215, 235.
- ^ Taaffe 2013, p. 338.
- ^ Phillips, Loyal (June 25, 1980). "WWII commander's death marks the end of an era". Pensacola News Journal. pp. 1C, 2C. Retrieved August 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.