Sam Wetzel
Robert L. Wetzel | |
---|---|
Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1952–1986 |
Rank | Lieutenant General |
Commands held |
|
Battles/wars | |
Awards |
Robert Lewis Wetzel (October 6, 1930 – January 20, 2022)[1] was a United States Army lieutenant general.[2][3]
Education
Robert Lewis "Sam" Wetzel, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, graduated from high school in 1948 and was planning to study engineering at Purdue University. Instead he chose the opportunity to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Wetzel earned a B.S. degree from the Military Academy in 1952 and an M.B.A. degree from George Washington University in 1966.[4] He graduated from the Infantry School Advanced Course in 1959,[5] the Air Command and Staff School in 1966 and the Army War College in 1970.[4]
Military service
Wetzel was commissioned from West Point in 1952 as an infantry officer.[2] He was immediately deployed to the Korean War, where he saw action as a company commander.
In 1961, Captain Wetzel was the aide of Major General William Westmoreland, then Superintendent of the United States Military Academy.[6][7] He also commanded a mechanized infantry company in Germany.[2]
Returning from the front, Wetzel eventually married an American Vietnam widow with five young children. He was promoted to
He then began a rapid ascent. He was given command of the
From 1978-79, Wetzel served as Haig's chief-of-staff in Belgium. Just before Wetzel's arrival at Haig's office, the Soviets had deployed their
After serving as Haig's Chief of Staff, Wetzel commanded the Third Infantry Division in Würzburg. Wetzel led his division to victory in the annual war games staged in West Germany.
In 1981, Wetzel was diagnosed with terminal
Wetzel's first position back in Germany was Deputy Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in Europe. The NATO allies had finally approved the Pershing II plan. Immediately upon his arrival, it became Wetzel's job to receive and deploy the Pershing II missiles in the midst of anti-war demonstrations all over Europe. Today, Cold War historians (relying on the candid confessions of defeated Russian leaders) credit the deployment of the Pershing II missiles as one of three key factors that broke the Soviets' back and ended the Cold War (the other two being the Reagan defense build-up and SDI specifically).[citation needed]
In 1986, Colin Powell succeeded him in command of V Corps in Frankfurt, West Germany.[8] That was Wetzel's last assignment before retirement.[8]
Death and burial
Wetzel died on January 20, 2022.
Awards and decorations
Wetzel's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Joint Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, seven Air Medals and Combat Infantryman's Badge with Star.[2][10]
References
- ^ a b Rice, Mark (Jan 20, 2022). "Retired Fort Benning commanding general Sam Wetzel dies at 91".
- ^ a b c d e f Kari Hawkins (February 19, 2009). "Retired General Officer Leads Veterans Cause". www.army.mil. United States Army.
- ^ "Army Executive Biographies". Headquarters, Department of the Army. Dec 14, 1985. Retrieved Dec 14, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Class of 1952—Register of Graduates". Register of Graduates and Former Cadets 1802–1971 of the United States Military Academy. The West Point Alumni Foundation Inc. 1971. p. 633. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ U.S. Army Register: Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. January 1, 1966. p. 599. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ISBN 9781456806033. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ISBN 9780547518275. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9780307763686. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ Williams, Chuck (January 28, 2022). "Lt. Gen. Sam Wetzel laid to rest at Fort Benning; 'We lost a mountain'". WRBL.
- ^ a b "Wetzel, Robert L". Army Cemeteries Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved July 16, 2022.