Richard G. Stilwell

Who was Richard G. Stilwell?

General Richard Giles Stilwell served as Commander, United States Forces Korea from 1973 to 1976, and Acting Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific from September to December 1974. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1917, he attended Brown University before graduating from the United States Military Academy in 1938 with a commission into the Corps of Engineers. He subsequently attended the U.S. Army War College.

During World War II, Stilwell participated in the Normandy invasion, and briefly served under General Patton immediately after the war during the occupation of Europe. From there he was a special military advisor to the U.S. Embassy in Rome before serving in the Central Intelligence Agency. During the Korean War, Stilwell commanded the 15th Infantry Regiment, and was a senior advisor to the I Republic of Korea Army Corps. In Vietnam, General Westmoreland appointed Stilwell as his Chief of Staff.

Major commands for Stilwell included Commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Thailand from 1965-1967. From there he commanded the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1967-1968. After his return to Vietnam, Stilwell commanded the XXIV Corps from 1968-1969.