Ben Lear
| Benjamin Lear | |
|---|---|
General Ben Lear
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Yoo Hoo" |
| Born |
May 12, 1879 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | November 2, 1966 (aged 87) Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1898–1945 |
| Rank |
 General
|
| Commands held |
1st Cavalry Division (1936–1938) Pacific Sector Panama Canal Zone (1938–1940) U.S. Second Army (1940–1943) Army Ground Forces (1944–1945) |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star |
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Equestrian | ||
 |
1912 Stockholm | Team eventing |
Benjamin Lear (May 12, 1879 – November 2, 1966) was a United States Army general who served in the Spanish–American War, Philippine Insurrection, World War I and World War II.
Ben Lear was born in Hamilton, Ontario on May 12, 1879. His military service began in 1898, when he enlisted with the 1st Colorado Infantry, USV, for the Spanish–American War as a First Sergeant. He was promoted to second lieutenant during the Philippine–American War in the 1st Colorado and later in the 36th Infantry, USV, then joined the regular army as a sergeant at the end of the war. He subsequently served in World War I.
He was a 1912 Olympian, part of the equestrian team which won the Bronze Medal in the three-day team event.
Lear graduated from the Army School of the Line in 1922, the Army General Staff School in 1923, and the Army War College in 1926.
He was promoted to Brigadier General in May 1936 and Major General in October 1938. He commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from 1936 to 1938, and the Pacific Sector of the Panama Canal Zone from 1938 to 1940.
Lear promoted to lieutenant general in October 1940 and was commanding general of U.S. Second Army from October 20, 1940 to April 25, 1943. As such, he was responsible for training a large number of U.S. soldiers during World War II. He became known as a strict disciplinarian.
...
Wikipedia