GENERAL MARSHALL VISITS LOUISIANA
BY RICKEY ROBERTSON
America is a nation that has been noted for its military leadership. Many times in the history of our nation, especially in a time of great peril, a man stepped forward to be a true leader and led our forces to victory. We first think of George Washington, who led the ragged Continental Army to victory against the mighty British Army. And in our day, we also have had a great military leader who stepped up. After a long and distinguished military career, on September 1, 1939, the day Adolph Hitler's Blitzkrieg rolled over and crushed Polish Army units, George C. Marshall stepped up to lead the American Army as Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C.
George Catlett Marshall was a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and began his military career as a 2nd Lieutenant stationed on the island of Mindoro in the Philippine Islands. Over the years he was posted to many obscure posts and in 1916 he was promoted to Captain. When World War I began Captain Marshall arrived in France with the 1st Infantry Division. Due to his outstanding qualities he was promoted to Colonel and was assigned to General John J. Pershing's staff. His expertise in handling any and all problems and missions assigned to him and of his successful logistical feats during the war led him to be nicknamed "Wizard." During the years between World War I and World War II Marshall continued to be one of America's most brilliant Army officers. And during the 1930's he caught the eye of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. And in 1939 President Roosevelt had a new Army chief of Staff to help rebuild the American military forces.
General Marshall's promotion began with the American Army in a dilemma. The army had been cut so drastically over the years that only 190,000 were in the ranks by 1939. And there was not enough equipment, weapons, vehicles, and no training was available of any type for the various units. But by May 1940 General Marshall had turned the whole U.S. Army around. He had persuaded President Roosevelt of the dire need for more men, equipment, and training. Through his efforts National Guard units were federalized into service and the draft began bringing in recruits by the thousands. And the much needed equipment began to roll in due to America's manufacturing might. And by May 9, 1940 maneuver training would begin and would run for 2 years. And these maneuvers would be called the Louisiana Maneuvers, after the location that would be used for this training. And in May 1940 over 66,000 men began preparations for combat training here in Louisiana.
General Marshall believed in the old 4-H Club motto of "learning by doing". He wanted everything to be tried and tested during the Louisiana Maneuvers. He could see that the United States would become involved in the war raging throughout Europe and he wanted his troops well trained and able to handle any situation that they would face in battle. One of General Marshall's most famous quotes concerned the Louisiana Maneuvers; "I want the mistakes made down in Louisiana and not over in Europe, and the only way to do this thing is to try it out, and if it doesn't work, find out what we need to make it work". During the 1940 Louisiana Maneuvers the headquarters was located at Camp Beauregard, La. General Marshall was continuously in touch with Lt. Stanley Embick who was in charge of the maneuvers. And during the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers, the headquarters for this massive maneuver was a t Camp Polk, La. During these maneuvers General Marshall and many Washing VIP's were housed these so they could observe the war games. And General Marshall even traveled out into the various maneuver areas to observe the training first hand of the over 470,000 men involved in this realistic training. General Marshall and his expert planning made thee maneuvers very successful and we were somewhat prepared when war came on December 7, 1941. And during World War II General Marshall led American military forces to victory in both Europe and the Pacific Theaters of Operation.
But General Marshall's story doesn't end there. When he retired from the Army President Harry S. Truman named him Secretary Of State for the United States in 1947. The old soldier now became a statesman for his country. And with all his experience he was given the huge job of coming up with a plan that would help save the devastated countries destroyed in World War II throughout Europe. And the Marshall Plan was put together and was a great success as it brought about economic rebuilding and regrowth throughout Europe. And most of all, the Marshall Plan brought about democracy in the war torn countries of Europe while Stalin and his communist allies tried to destroy everything being done. But the Marshall Plan won out and Europe was rebuilt. And after this great feat, President Truman had more use for the old general. In 1950, during the Korean War, he became the Secretary of Defense. He rallied the war effort of the United States, Korea, and their United Nations allies. And through his efforts General Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize , the first and only American general ever awarded this medal.
General George C. Marshall is a true American hero who accepted the many challenges facing the American military prior to World War II and who through his efforts formed the winning team that overcame the Axis enemies. And his planning and execution of the famous Louisiana Maneuvers brought about America's preparation for the upcoming war. Yes Louisiana we were blessed to have this great general visit our state on various occasions during the maneuvers. He is part of our Louisiana history along with the stories of the Great Louisiana Maneuvers. And he is part of American history for his leadership as the Army Chief of Staff and later as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. George Marshall stood up and left a lasting legacy for all Americans to follow. Thank you General Marshall for your dedicated service to this great nation!
General Marshall arrives at Esler Field and steps down from his personal military aircraft to begin his review of the Louisiana Maneuvers. (Robertson Collection)
Command cars carried military officers throughout the maneuver area during the Louisiana Maneuvers. (Robertson Collection)
Lt. Colonel Omar Bradley, General Marshall's aide, brings elected officials and government officials to view the Louisiana Maneuvers. (Robertson Collection)
General George C. Marshall flying to Louisiana to review the training taking place during the Louisiana Maneuvers. (Robertson Collection)
General Marshall and another officer enroute to Louisiana to view the Louisiana Maneuvers. (Robertson Collection)
Camp Polk was the headquarters for the 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers. General Marshall stayed at Camp Polk and reviewed the maneuvers from there. (Robertson Collection)