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Lieutenant General William J.
McCaffrey served his country as a soldier in uniform with honor
and distinction for thirty-seven years. Sworn in on the Plain
at West Point in the summer of 1935, he retired at Fort Myer,
Virginia in May 1973. He served more than five years in combat
during eleven campaigns in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
This battle hero was awarded the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf
Clusters for extraordinary valor and the Combat Infantry Badge
with Star. He was also decorated by the governments of Great
Britain, Italy, Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand.
General McCaffrey and his generation
of soldiers suffered and carried great burdens at very young
ages. Their sense of responsibility and willingness to sacrifice
brought America through a half century of enormous peril. They
were thrown into positions of enormous danger early in life.
He was a full Colonel and Chief of Staff of the famous 92nd Infantry
Division locked in bitter combat during World War II only five
years after being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. This was
the only African-American combat division and earned a place
in history by its courage and dedication in the Italian theater
of operations. Only twelve years out of West Point, he took
command of the shattered 31st Infantry Regiment in Korea after
the Yalu River Chinese winter attack. He and the Corps Commander
were among the last to leave the beach on December 23, 1950,
when X Corps evacuated Hungnam. Later in the 1960's he worked
as a senior officer both in Europe and the JCS and helped build
a strong NATO which could deter the Warsaw Pact. NATO allowed
following generations to finally win the Cold War without bloodshed.
Perhaps his most demanding and complex mission began in April
1970, when he assumed duties as Deputy Commander of all U.S.
Army Forces in Vietnam. He served under his respected friend
General Creighton Abrams until September 1972. U.S. Forces in
Vietnam successfully conducted a strategic withdrawal under fire
and General McCaffrey finally was reassigned when only 30,000
troops remained in country. Finally, following his active military
career, General McCaffrey continued his service to America both
as an officer of the Association of the United States Army and
as a member of the Senior Review Panel in the Office of the Director
of Central Intelligence.
Much was asked of General McCaffrey
and his generation. His focus in life was on his obligations
to God, his family, and the United States Army. His concern for
his own rights, his own comfort and safety, or his own fears
was minimal. His life was truly an expression of "Duty,
Honor, Country."
General McCaffrey is survived
by his wife of 66 years Mary V. McCaffrey, his son retired U.S.
Army General Barry McCaffrey of Alexandria, Virginia; his daughter
Mrs. Patricia Higgins of Newport News, Virginia; six grandchildren;
and ten great grandchildren.
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