Today would be the birthday of General Matthew Ridgway, the man who due to his exceptional competence was given every nasty job the US could muster in his 38 year military career.
From Wikipedia:
| Rank |  General |
|---|---|
| Commands held | 15th Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division XVIII Airborne Corps 8th US Army Supreme UN and US commander in Korea Chief of Staff of the United States Army |
| Battles/wars | |
 | Combat Infantryman Badge (General Ridgway is one of three general officers who have been awarded the CIB for service while a General Officer, with General Joseph Stilwelland Major General William F. Dean) [30] |
 | Parachutist Badge [31] |
  | Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster |
 | Distinguished Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters |
 | Silver Star with oak leaf cluster |
 | Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster |
  | Bronze Star with "V" device and oak leaf cluster |
 | Purple Heart |
 | World War I Victory Medal |
 | American Defense Service Medal |
 | American Campaign Medal |
 | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal |
 | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal |
 | World War II Victory Medal |
 | Army of Occupation Medal |
 | National Defense Service Medal |
 | Korean Service Medal |
.png){kind=small} | Presidential Medal of Freedom.[1] |
 | United Nations Service Medal |
 | Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor of France (1953) |
 | Congressional Gold Medal |
| Order of Saint Maurice (Primicerius) |
General Ridgway had the dubious distinction of taking over General MacArthur's commands when Mac was sacked for insubordination.
Throughout American history we have been fortunate in having men of General Ridgway's caliber available when needed. Sadly, we do not always use them wisely.
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