Philip De Witt Ginder
| Philip De Witt Ginder | |
|---|---|
Ginder as a Colonel at the end of the World War II.
|
|
| Born |
September 19, 1905 Plainfield, New Jersey |
| Died | November 7, 1968 (aged 63) Danbury, Connecticut |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1927–1963 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Service number | 0-16904 |
| Commands held |
Fifth United States Army 45th Infantry Division 10th Mountain Division |
| Wars |
World War II Korean War Cold War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
| Relations | Jean Dalrymple (Wife) |
Philip De Witt Ginder (September 19, 1905 - November 7, 1968) was an American career, highly decorated soldier who rose to the rank of Major General during the Korean War, while commanding 45th Infantry "Thunderbird" Division. He was also a recicipent of the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Army for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.
He was born on September 19, 1905 in Plainfield, New Jersey as the son of Grant Ginder. Ginder attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in summer 1927.
During World War II, Ginder was among the first ashore during the Normandy Landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Appointed to command the 357th Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 90th Infantry Division, Ginder developed a reputation for subpar performance, with observers and subordinates calling Ginder "obtuse" and "full of boasting and posturing." 357th veteran William E. DePuy called Ginder "as close to being incompetent as it is possible to be." Ginder was ultimately relieved of command during combat and escorted to the division command post under armed guard.
He was later appointed commander of the 121st Infantry Regiment, an 8th Infantry Division unit. He was in command of the regiment when it captured the German town of Hürtgen as part of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. It was for this action that he received the Distinguished Service Cross for actions on November 28, 1944, when he led his reserve company in an attack against the heavily defended town of Hürtgen, armed only with his pistol and a hand grenade, and led his troops through the town in bitter house-to-house fighting.
...
Wikipedia