OMAR BRADLEY

OMAR BRADLEY
(1893 - 1981) American general of World War II who commanded the largest ground force ever led by one man. He was later Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Fine content T.L.S. "Brad" as Army Chief of Staff on official letterhead marked "PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL", 2pp. 4to., Washington, July 11, 1949 to CLARENCE R. HUEBNER (1888-1972), American major general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division in its assault on Omaha Beach, in the drive across France, at the Hurtgen Forest and in the battle of Aachen. Bradley discusses a replacement for Huebner's commander, Lucius Clay, whom Huebner clearly hoped to replace himself. In part: "…we expected to send one of our four-star generals over to Germany prior to Clay's departure…the decision was made for the State Department to take over the Military Government…we knew that you were perfectly capable of carrying on. At the same time, we feel that our senior military commander in Europe must be a four-star General…this is not done because of any lack of confidence in you…We could not solve it by promoting you because we have all the four-star Generals we are permitted by law…" Very good. Huebner would retire from the Army the following year.