Robert W. Porter, Jr.

Who was Robert W. Porter, Jr.?

Robert William Porter, Jr. was a United States Army four-star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command from 1965 to 1969.

Porter was born in Alma, Nebraska on April 29, 1908. After graduating from high school, he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1930. He began his career in the cavalry, and during World War II served with the 1st Infantry Division in North Africa and Sicily. and II Corps in Italy. Returning to the War Department in 1945, he served as a strategic planner, and later became Executive Officer to the Under Secretary of the Army.

After graduating from the National War College in 1950, Porter held a variety of positions to include commander, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment; Deputy G-3, Allied Land Forces Central Europe; Chief of Staff, X Corps; member of the National Security Council Planning Board; Commander, 3rd Armored Division; United States Representative to the Permanent Deputies Group, Central Treaty Organization. From April 1964 to 1965 he commanded First United States Army at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York. His final assignment was Commander-in-Chief, Southern Command.