Andrew Jackson Goodpaster (12 February 1915 – 16 May 2005) was an
American Army
An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...
General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
. He served as
NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO ; , OTAN), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental organization, intergovernmental Transnationalism, transnational military alliance of 32 Member states of NATO, member s ...
's
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (SACEUR), from 1 July 1969, and Commander in Chief of the
United States European Command
The United States European Command (EUCOM) is one of the eleven Unified Combatant Command, unified combatant commands of the United States military, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its area of focus covers and 51 countries and territori ...
(CINCEUR) from 5 May 1969 until his retirement 17 December 1974.
As such, he was the commander of all NATO (SACEUR) and United States (CINCEUR) military forces stationed in Europe and the surrounding regions.
Goodpaster returned to the military in June 1977 as the 51st
Superintendent of the
United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, until he retired again in July 1981.
Career
Goodpaster entered the
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as Officer_(armed_forces)#United_States, comm ...
at
West Point
The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for service as Officer_(armed_forces)#United_States, comm ...
in 1935, followed in 1939 by a commission as a
second lieutenant in the
Corps of Engineers after graduating second in his class of 456. After serving in
Panama
Panama, officially the Republic of Panama, is a country in Latin America at the southern end of Central America, bordering South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north, and ...
, he returned to the U.S. in mid-1942, and in 1943, he attended a wartime course at the Command and General Staff School,
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
,
Kansas
Kansas ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the west. Kansas is named a ...
.
During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, Goodpaster commanded the 48th Combat Engineer Battalion in
North Africa
North Africa (sometimes Northern Africa) is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region. However, it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of t ...
and
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross, the
Silver Star
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces' third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against a ...
, and two
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, ...
s for his service in World War II. His combat experience was cut short in January 1944, when he was severely wounded and sent back to the United States to recover. After his wounds had healed, he was assigned to the War Planning Office under General Marshall, where he served the duration of the war.
Goodpaster was seen by many as the quintessential "soldier-scholar." He received a Ph.D. in politics from
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private university, private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial ...
in 1950 after completing a doctoral dissertation titled "National technology and international politics." He later received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Princeton in 1979. Princeton says he earned degrees in civil engineering and politics.
Key assignments
*
Staff Secretary and Defense Liaison Officer to President Eisenhower (1954–1961)
*Advisor to the Administrations of Presidents
Johnson
Johnson may refer to:
People and fictional characters
*Johnson (surname), a common surname in English
* Johnson (given name), a list of people
* List of people with surname Johnson, including fictional characters
*Johnson (composer) (1953–2011) ...
(1963–1969),
Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 36th vice president under P ...
(1969–1974), and
Carter
Carter(s), or Carter's, Tha Carter, or The Carter(s), may refer to:
Geography United States
* Carter, Arkansas, an unincorporated community
* Carter, Mississippi, an unincorporated community
* Carter, Montana, a census-designated place
* Carter ...
(1977–1981)
*Commander of the San Francisco District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
*Commander of the
8th Infantry Division in Germany (1961–1962)
*
Director of the Joint Staff
The director of the Joint Staff (DJS) is a three-star officer who assists the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a cabinet of senior military officers within the United States Armed Forces who advise the secretary of defense and the president on milita ...
, Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1966–1967)
*Commandant of the
National War College
In the United States, the National War College (NWC) is a school within the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active.
History
The National ...
(1967–1968)
*Deputy Commander of the
U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) (1968–1969)
*Commander-in-Chief of USEUCOM and Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Forces (1969–1974)
*Superintendent,
USMA (1977–1981)
First retirement
After retiring in 1974, he served as senior
fellow
A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned society, learned or professional society, p ...
at the
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (WWICS) or Wilson Center is a Washington, D.C.–based think tank
A think tank, or public policy institute, is a research institute that performs research and advocacy concerning topi ...
in 1975–76, and taught at
The Citadel
The Citadel Military College of South Carolina (simply known as The Citadel) is a public senior military college in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Established in 1842, it is the third oldest of the six senior military colleges ...
. His book, ''For the Common Defense'' was published in 1977.
He was brought back to active duty as
Superintendent of the
U.S. Military Academy (1977–1981) after
1976 West Point cheating scandal involving 151 cadets (see also,
1951 West Point cheating scandal). Although he had retired with the rank of
General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air force, air and space forces, marines or naval infantry.
In some usages, the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colone ...
(four star), he voluntarily served as superintendent at the lower rank of
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was norma ...
(three stars), since the
billet
In European militaries, a billet is a living-quarters to which a soldier is assigned to sleep. In American usage, it refers to a specific personnel position, assignment, or duty station to which a soldier can be assigned. Historically, a billet w ...
carries that rank.
Second retirement and later years
In 1981, when Goodpaster retired for the second time, being advanced back to four-star rank. He stayed active in retirement serving on various boards and working on his own memoirs. He died at age 90 at
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC), officially known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951, was the United States Army, U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on in Washington, D.C., it served more ...
and is interred at
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the United States National Cemetery System, one of two maintained by the United States Army. More than 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington County, Virginia.
...
.
Advocacy for the elimination of nuclear weapons
In his later years, Goodpaster was vocal in advocating the reduction of nuclear weapons. Later his position evolved to advocating for elimination of all nuclear weapons. In September 1994, he commented, "Increasingly, nuclear weapons are seen to constitute a nuisance and a danger rather than a benefit or a source of strength." In 1996, along with General
Lee Butler and Rear Admiral
Eugene Carroll, Goodpaster co-authored a statement for the
Global Security Institute
The Global Security Institute (GSI) is a largely private (though partly bipartisan), non-governmental international organization with a mission to eliminate nuclear weapons through international cooperation and security. It aims to influence nati ...
advocating the complete elimination of nuclear weapons due to their danger and lack of military utility.
Civilian service
Goodpaster was a fellow at the
Eisenhower Institute, and the
Institute for Defense Analyses
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is an American non-profit corporation that administers three federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) – the Systems and Analyses Center (SAC), Science and Technology Policy Institute, t ...
in Washington. He served on
American Security Council
The American Security Council Foundation (ASCF) (originally, the Institute for American Strategy) is a non-profit organization that seeks to influence United States foreign policy by "Promoting Peace Through Strength". Founded in 1958 by John M ...
and founded the
Committee on the Present Danger, emphasizing the Soviet Union's military threat and a corresponding need for a strong defense for the United States.
He served as a trustee and a chairman of the
George C. Marshall Foundation, which established the Andrew J. Goodpaster Award to honor, "American business leaders, politicians, military leaders and others who have served our nation in exemplary ways, who, like General Goodpaster, have exhibited great courage, selfless service, patriotism and leadership in their lives and careers." Among the recipients have been
John P. Jumper,
Raymond T. Odierno
Raymond Thomas Odierno (8 September 1954 – 8 October 2021) was an American military officer who served as a four-star general of the United States Army and as the 38th chief of staff of the Army. Prior to his service as chief of staff, Odier ...
,
Gordon R. Sullivan, and
Brent Scowcroft
Brent Scowcroft (; March 19, 1925August 6, 2020) was a United States Air Force officer, and a two-time National Security Advisor (United States), United States National Security Advisor, first under U.S. President Gerald Ford and then under Georg ...
.
For many years in retirement, Goodpaster was a trustee of
St. Mary's College of Maryland
St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) is a Public college, public Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in St. Mary's City, Maryland.Maryland State Archives, Online Manual, "St. Mary's College Of Maryland: Origin & Fun ...
, playing important roles in advancing the school to national prominence. A building on the school's campus, ''Goodpaster Hall'', is named in his honor.
Awards
*In January 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower awarded Goodpaster the
Distinguished Service Medal for his work in the position of Staff Secretary to the President of the United States, and as Liaison Officer of the Department of Defense to the White House, 1954–1961, “for distinguished service in a position of grave responsibility.” This award was mistakenly identified in the original press release as the Medal of Freedom. Goodpaster was actually awarded the Distinguished Service Medal at this ceremony—the press release is in error. Goodpaster's copy of the press release has the words "Medal of Freedom" lined out, and "Distinguished Service Medal" written over it. As a serving US Army officer at the time, Goodpaster could not have received the Medal of Freedom, a civilian award. Eisenhower mentioned that he was amazed that the award had been kept a surprise; Goodpaster later joked that if he had known about it, the paperwork would have been correct.
*At General Goodpaster's first retirement in 1974,
President
President most commonly refers to:
*President (corporate title)
* President (education), a leader of a college or university
*President (government title)
President may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Film and television
*'' Præsident ...
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913December 26, 2006) was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, Ford assumed the p ...
awarded him the
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the ...
.
*In 1984, President
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...
awarded Goodpaster the
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States, alongside the Congressional Gold Medal. It is an award bestowed by decision of the president of the United States to "any person recommended to the President ...
“for his contributions in the field of international affairs.” This was the first and only award of this medal to Goodpaster.
*In 1985, he received the Golden Plate Award of the
American Academy of Achievement
The American Academy of Achievement, colloquially known as the Academy of Achievement, is a nonprofit educational organization that recognizes some of the highest-achieving people in diverse fields and gives them the opportunity to meet one ano ...
presented by Awards Council member and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General
Bernard W. Rogers, USA.
*In 1992, he received the United States Military Academy Association of Graduates’ Distinguished Graduate Award.
Dates of rank
*Cadet, United States Military Academy - 1 July 1935
*2nd Lieutenant, Regular Army (RA) - 12 June 1939
*1st Lieutenant, Army of the United States (AUS) - 9 September 1940
*Captain, AUS - 1 February 1942
*1st Lieutenant, Regular Army - 12 June 1942
*Major, AUS - 29 October 1942
*Lieutenant Colonel, AUS - 23 June 1943
*Captain, RA - 1 July 1948
*Major, RA - 14 May 1951
*Colonel, AUS - 10 September 1952
*Brigadier General, AUS - 1 January 1957
*Lieutenant Colonel, RA - 22 March 1957
*Major General, AUS - 1 August 1956
*Lieutenant General, AUS - 27 January 1964
*Colonel, RA - 12 June 1964
*Brigadier General, RA - 30 January 1966
*General, AUS - c. June 1968
*General, Retired List - c. December 1974
[Official Register of Commissioned Officers of the United States Army. Various years from 1948-1975.]
Note - During and after World War II officers with temporary commissions were commissioned in the
Army of the United States
The Army of the United States was one of the four major service components of the United States Army. Today, the Army consists of the Regular Army, the Army National Guard of the United States, the Army National Guard while in the service of the ...
(AUS) whereas permanent commissions were in the United States Army (i.e. the
Regular Army
A regular army is the official army of a state or country (the official armed forces), contrasting with irregular forces, such as volunteer irregular militias, private armies, mercenaries, etc. A regular army usually has the following:
* a ...
).
Works
Listed in reverse chronological order of date published:
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. and Rossides, Eugene. ''Greece's Pivotal Role in World War II and Its Importance to the U.S. Today''. Washington, D.C.: American Hellenic Institute Foundation, 2001.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. ''When Diplomacy Is Not Enough: Managing Multinational Military Interventions: A Report To The Carnegie Commission On Preventing Deadly Conflict''. New York: Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict, 1996.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. ''Gorbachev and the Future of East-West Security: A Response for the Mid-Term. Atlantic Council of the United States Occasional paper'', April 1989.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. et al. ''U. S. Policy Toward the Soviet Union. A Long-Term Western Perspective'', 1987–2000. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, Lanham, MD, 1988.
*''National Security and Détente''. Foreword by General Andrew J. Goodpaster with contributions by faculty members of the U.S. Army War College. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, Apollo Editions, 1987.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. ''Strengthening Conventional Deterrence in Europe: A Program for the 1980s''. Westview Special Studies in International Security (). Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1985.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. and Elliot, Lloyd. ''Toward a Consensus on Military Service – Report of the Atlantic Council's Working Group on Military Service''. Tarrytown, New York: Pergamon Press, 1982.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. ''For the Common Defense''. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books, 1977.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. ''Civil-Military Relations: Studies in defense policy''. Washington, D.C.:
American Enterprise Institute
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, known simply as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), is a center-right think tank based in Washington, D.C., that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare ...
for Public Policy Research, 1977.
*Goodpaster, Andrew J. and Huntington, Samuel P. ''Civil-Military Relations''. University of Nebraska Press, Omaha:
American Enterprise Institute
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, known simply as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), is a center-right think tank based in Washington, D.C., that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare ...
for Public Policy Research, Washington D.C., 1977.
*Goodpaster, General Andrew J. ''SHAPE and Allied Command Europe In the Service of Peace and Security''. 1973.
See also
*
List of Supreme Allied Commanders Europe (SACEUR)
References
Further reading
* Jordan, Robert S. ''An Unsung Soldier: The Life of Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster''. Naval Institute Press, 2013.
Chris Booth. H-NET review* Nelson, C. Richard. ''The Life and Work of General Andrew J. Goodpaster: Best Practices in National Security Affairs.'' Rowman & Littlefield, 2016. .
*
External links
for the WGBH series
War and Peace in the Nuclear Age
*
*
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, -
{{DEFAULTSORT:Goodpaster, Andrew J.
1915 births
2005 deaths
United States Army personnel of World War II
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
Carter administration personnel
Eisenhower administration personnel
Lyndon B. Johnson administration personnel
NATO Supreme Allied Commanders
Nixon administration personnel
People from Highlands, New York
People from Granite City, Illinois
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Science alumni
Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the National Order of Vietnam
Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients of the Silver Star
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Superintendents of the United States Military Academy
United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni
United States Army generals
United States Military Academy alumni
White House staff secretaries
Military personnel from Illinois