Salve H. Matheson

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Salve H. Matheson
Carmel, California
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1942–1975
RankMajor General
Commands held2nd Infantry Division
101st Airborne Division
Battles/warsWorld War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

Awards
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)[1]
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (4)[2][3]
Purple Heart
Spouse(s)
Patricia H. Matheson
​
​
(m. 1947)​

Salve H. Matheson (11 August 1920 – 8 January 2005) was a general officer in the United States Army who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Early life and education

Salve H. Matheson was born on 11 August 1920 to S. E. Matheson and Elsa Matheson in

Liberal Arts.[2][6][7]

Military career

Matheson served in the

506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the U.S. and in Europe during World War II. The regiment gained later international recognition following the publication of Stephen Ambrose's book Band of Brothers. Major Richard "Dick" Winters, who was celebrated in the Tom Hanks-produced HBO miniseries based on Ambrose's book, said of Salve Matheson, "No veteran who served in Easy Company had a more distinguished military career."[8]

Matheson began his assignment with the regiment in

Bronze Service Arrowhead for participating in Operation Market Garden.[10][12] Matheson was besieged with the rest of the 101st Airborne under the command of Maj. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe at Bastogne.[10] During the Battle of the Bulge he was assigned as the S-4 of the 506th PIR and attempted without success to find small arms ammunition for his unit.[13] Matheson served as the regimental logistics officer until March 1945, when he was moved to the position of Operations officer.[9]: 203  Lt. Matheson helped lead the vanguard of the 101st toward Berchtesgarden and secured the surrenders of General Hans Speidel and Field Marshall Albert Kesselring.[10]

In 1949,

Battleground.[14]

During the Korean War, Matheson was assigned to the

Hungnam, North Korea.[6][15] In early 1951, Matheson, then a major, was awarded the third oak leaf cluster to his Bronze Star by Headquarters, X Corps, after he had been reassigned to Washington, D.C.[3]

In January 1954, Matheson, a lieutenant colonel, was assigned as assistant chief of staff, G3 of the

USAREUR); he had previously been assigned to the research and development division of USAREUR.[16] He was reassigned from the 1st Infantry Division in September 1955.[17]

During the height of the Cold War, Matheson commanded the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Bad Tölz, Federal Republic of Germany, from 1961 to 1963.[18]: 345 

In December 1965, Matheson was selected for promotion to

I Corps Tactical Zone[23]

In April 1968, Matheson assumed duties as Director, ROTC-National Defense Cadet Corps at

Fort Monroe, Virginia after leaving his command of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.[24] In July 1968, Matheson was selected for promotion to major general.[25] In 1968, he assumed command of the 101st Airborne Division.[6]

In the fall of 1970, Matheson was reassigned from his position as Commander, 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea to the Inter-American Defense Board in Washington, D.C.[26]

Military awards

Matheson's decorations include the

Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, Master Parachutist Badge, and Combat Infantry Badge. Foreign awards include the Bronze Lion and the Orange Lanyard of the Netherlands.[27]

Family

Matheson's engagement to Patricia Halloran was announced by her parents, Colonel and Mrs. Michael E. Halloran, on 20 September 1947.[28][29] They married later that year and honeymooned in Carmel, California. They had three children.[30] Matheson's older brother, Martin "Big Whitey" Matheson was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and a stunt man in Hollywood who acted as Ward Bond's stunt double.[citation needed]

Later life and death

After retiring from the Army in 1975, Matheson and his wife Patricia retired to

Carmel, California.[30] He died on 8 January 2005 in Carmel, California, survived by his wife and three children.[4][27] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his spouse, Patricia H.[31]

References

  1. ^ "Salve H. Matheson". The Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  2. ^
    Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  3. ^
    Newspaperarchive.com. Free access icon
  4. ^ a b "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JBVB-HMZ : 20 May 2014), Salve H Matheson, 08 Jan 2005; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).(registration required)
  5. ^ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9C5-QRH : accessed 5 April 2018), Salve Matheson in household of S E Matheson, Councilmanic District 3, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Township, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 60–227, sheet 65A, line 20, family 98, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790–2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 408.(registration required)
  6. ^
    ISBN 9780804115667
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  7. OCLC 27130928
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  8. ISBN 0425208133
    .
  9. ^
    ISBN 9780425213759
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Salve H. Matheson Collection".
  11. ^ "General Order Number 12" (PDF). We Stand Together – Then, Now, and Always. Headquarters, 506th Parachute Infantry. 15 June 1944. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ^ "General Orders Number 11" (PDF). We Stand Together – Then, Now, and Always. Headquarters, 506th Parachute Infantry. 2 May 1945. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  13. ISBN 9781782892304
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  14. Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  15. ^ Rivette, Spencer. "Salve H. Matheson Collection". Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  16. Newspaperarchive.com. Free access icon
  17. Newspaperarchive.com. Free access icon
  18. ^
    ISBN 9780938021902
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  19. Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  20. Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  21. ISBN 978-0312599058
    .
  22. ISBN 9780160935015
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  23. ISBN 9781851099603
    . Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  24. Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  25. Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  26. Newspaperarchive.com. Free access icon
  27. ^ a b "SALVE H. MATHESON". Legacy.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  28. ^ "Weddings and Engagements". Armed Forces Journal. 1947. p. 68. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Weddings and Engagements". Armed Forces Journal. 1947. p. 70. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  30. ^ a b "Patricia H. Matheson" (PDF). The Carmel Pine Cone. Vol. 103, no. 33. 18 August 2017. p. 26A. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  31. ^ Burial Detail: Matheson, Salve H

Further reading

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