William E. DePuy

William E. DePuy
General William E. DePuy
Born	(1919-10-01)October 1, 1919 Jamestown, North Dakota
Died	September 9, 1992(1992-09-09) (aged 72) Arlington, Virginia
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1941–1977
Rank	General
Commands held	U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command 1st Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War II Vietnam War
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (5) Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (3) Purple Heart (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Air Medal with "V" device

William Eugene DePuy (/dɛˈpjuː/ de-PEW; October 1, 1919 – September 9, 1992) was a U.S. Army general and the first commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. He is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the restructuring of U.S. Army doctrine after the American withdrawal from Vietnam.

DePuy was born in Jamestown, North Dakota. His military career began when he enlisted in the South Dakota National Guard, eventually becoming a squad leader. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry in 1941. His first assignment was with the 20th Infantry Regiment at Fort Leonard Wood, and during this time he walked to the Louisiana Maneuvers and back with his platoon.

Shortly after the US entry into World War II, DePuy was assigned in 1942 as a "green" lieutenant, at age 22, to the newly formed 90th Infantry Division. He received a field promotion to major in command of a battalion during the Normandy campaign in August 1944, at age 24. He served with the 90th in the fierce fighting from Utah Beach through the Battle of the Bulge. For his combat heroism he was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross and three Silver Stars. He then served as an operations officer at division level and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in January 1945.