Hobart R. Gay
| Hobart Raymond Gay | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant General Hobart R. Gay
|
|
| Nickname(s) | "Hap" |
| Born |
May 16, 1894 Rockport, Illinois |
| Died | August 19, 1983 (aged 89) El Paso, Texas |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1917–1955 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General
|
| Commands held |
U.S. Fifteenth Army U.S. 1st Armored Division Military District of Washington 1st Cavalry Division (United States) U.S. VI Corps U.S. III Corps U.S. Fifth Army Anti-aircraft and Guided Missile Center |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross (2) Distinguished Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit (2) Silver Star (3) Bronze Star (2) |
| Other work | Superintendent of the New Mexico Military Institute |
Hobart Raymond Gay (May 16, 1894 – August 19, 1983), nicknamed "Hap", was a United States Army Lieutenant General.
He was first commissioned into the Army Reserve as a 2nd Lieutenant following his graduation from Knox College in 1917. On October 26, 1917, Gay was commissioned into the Regular Army. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on October 26, 1917 and Captain in July 1920. In his early career, he was a cavalry officer. He transferred to the Quartermaster Corps June 11, 1934 and was promoted to Major on August 1, 1935. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on August 18, 1940 and colonel on December 24, 1941. As a Captain, he tutored author Robert A. Heinlein in equitation and musketry.
General Gay was awarded the Silver Star in December 1942 for gallantry in action on November 8, 1942 at Casablanca. He was chief of staff of the I Armored Corps, commanded by General George S. Patton, in North Africa at the time. Gay would continue to serve as Patton's chief of staff until Patton's death in December 1945.
Gay was promoted to brigadier general on June 24, 1943. In the Sicily campaign he was assigned to the U.S. Seventh Army as chief of staff. He became chief of staff, Third Army, in February 1944. In this capacity, Gay was a key member of Patton's command staff during the Third Army's drive into Germany following the Normandy invasion.
When Patton took command of the U.S. Fifteenth Army in October 1945, Gay was again his chief of staff. He and Patton went pheasant hunting on December 9, 1945. Patton and Gay were seated in the back seat of the staff car, en route to the hunting lodge. There was a traffic accident, during which Patton sustained spinal injuries which later cost him his life. General Gay was uninjured.
After Patton's death, Gay assumed command of Fifteenth Army in January 1946 for a period of one month. He then became commander of the U.S. 1st Armored Division until its return to the United States later in 1946. He then assumed command of the Second Constabulary Brigade. He served in Europe until 1947, when he returned to the United States.
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