Class of 1909

Vol. VI
p1446 [Supplement, Vol. VI: 1910‑1920]

(Robert Lawrence Eichelberger, Born March 9, 1886.)

Military History. —

Second Lieut., 25th Infantry, June 11, 1909.

Transferred to 10th Infantry, July 22, 1909.

At Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., and in Texas and Panama with 10th Infantry, Sept. 11, 1909, to March 1, 1915; at Fort Porter, N. Y., and at Douglas, Arizona, with 22nd Infantry, to

(First Lieut. of Infantry, July 1, 1916)

 p1447  August, 1916; at Boonville, Mo., Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Kemper Military School, September, 1916, to

(Captain of Infantry, May 15, 1917)

June, 1917; commanding Battalion, 20th Infantry, to September; with 43rd Infantry to Jan. 1, 1918; at Camp Pike, Ark., Senior Infantry Instructor, 3rd Officers' Training Camp, to February; at Washington, D. C., with General Staff to

(Major, Temporary, of Infantry, June 3, 1918)

July; at Camp Fremont, Cal., G‑3, 8th Division, July 13 to Aug. 14, when he sailed for Siberia; served with A. E. F. in Siberia as Assistant Chief of Staff and for last 14 months as G‑2, until expedition departed April 1, 1920; at Manila, Assistant Chief of Staff, Military Information, Philippine Department, May 4, 1920, to –––––

Vol. VII
p849 [Supplement, Vol. VII: 1920‑1930]

Military History: —

Major, Temporary, of Infantry, June 3, 1918.

At Manila, P. I., Assistant Chief of Staff, Military Information, Philippine Department, May 4, 1920, to

Returned to Grade of Captain, June 30, 1920.

Major of Infantry, July 1, 1920.

Nov., 1920; Intelligence Mission, China, to Mar., 1921; en route to United States  p850 Apr. 1, to Apr. 30, 1921; at Washington, D. C., with War Department General Staff, G‑2 Section, May, 1921, to July 14, 1924;

(Transferred to Adjutant-General's Department, July 14, 1924.)

in Adjutant-General's Office, War Department, July 14, 1924, to Apr., 1925; at Fort Hayes, Ohio, Assistant Adjutant-General, 5th Corps Area, Apr., 1925, to Aug., 1925; at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., student officer, Command and General Staff School, 1925 to 1926, when he was graduated as a Distinguished Graduate; Adjutant-General, Command and General Staff School, June, 1926, to Aug., 1929; at Washington, D. C., student officer, Army War College, 1929 to 1930, when he was graduated; in Adjutant-General's Office, War Department, Aug., 1930, to –––––

Awarded

Distinguished Service Cross.

"For extraordinary heroism in action June 28–July 3, 1919, while serving as assistant chief of staff, G‑2, American Expeditionary Forces, Siberia. On July 2, 1919, after the capture, by American troops of Novitskaya, an American platoon detailed to clear hostile patrols from a commanding ridge was halted by enemy enfilading fire, seriously wounding the members of the patrol. Colonel Eichelberger, without regard to his own safety and armed with a rifle, voluntarily covered the withdrawal of the platoon. On June 28, at the imminent danger of his own life, he entered the partisan lines and effected the release of one American officer and three enlisted men in exchange for a Russian prisoner. On July 3 an American column being fired upon when debouching from a mountain pass, Colonel Eichelberger voluntarily assisted in establishing the firing line, prevented confusion, and, by his total disregard for his own safety, raised the morale of the American forces to a high pitch."

Distinguished Service Medal.

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services, as assistant chief of staff, G‑2, with the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia. He organized and directed the intelligence service of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia in a most able manner and under most trying circumstances. By his keen foresight, discriminating judgment, and brilliant professional attainments, exercised through his efficiently established organization, he was able to keep his commanding general well and fully informed at all times. His tireless energy and his keen insight into local conditions gave him a master­ful grasp of the situation, which contributed materially to the success of the forces in Siberia. He rendered most conspicuous services of inestimable value to the Government in a position of great responsibility."

Vol. VIII
p221 [Supplement, Vol. VIII: 1930‑1940]

Military History: —

(Maj. Inf., July 1, 1920)

(Trfd. to A. G. D., July 14, 1924)

At Washington, D. C., A. G. O., W. D., Aug., 1930 to July, 1931; at West Point, N. Y., Adj., U. S. M. A., Aug., 1931 to

(Lt.‑Col., A. G. D., Aug. 1, 1934)

Apr., 1935; at Washington, D. C., Secty, W. D. G. S., July, 1935 to

(Trfd. to Inf., July 29, 1937)

(Col., Inf., Aug. 1, 1938)

Oct., 1938; at Presidio of San Francisco, Calif., comdg. 30th Inf. and Presidio, Jan. 16, 1939, to –––––

Vol. IX
p135 [Supplement, Vol. IX: 1940‑1950]

Military History: —

(Col Inf 1 Aug 38)

Presidio of San Francisco Calif, comdg 30 Inf and Presidio, 16 Jan 39‑

(Brig Gen AUS 1 Oct 40)

40; West Point NY, Supt USMA, Nov 40‑

(Maj Gen AUS 10 Jul 41)

Jan 42; CG 77 Div, Jan‑

(LM)

Jun 42; SWPA, CG 1 Corps, ‑

(Lt Gen AUS 21 Oct 42)

(Papua, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea)

(DSC DSM SS)

(Brig Gen 1 Sep 43)

Jul 44; CG Eighth Army, Sep 44

(Maj Gen 4 Oct 44)

(Leyte, Luzon, Southern Philippines)

(DSM 2SS BSM AM)

CG Eighth Army Japan, 45‑46; CG Occupation Grd Fcs Japan, 46 ‑

(DSM)

Sep 48.

(Lt Gen Ret 31 Dec 48, after 40 years' service).

(Navy DSM)

D Sc Clemson U, 42

Hon Knight Commander Mil Div Most Excellent Order British Empire; Grand Officer Legion of Honor (France); Grand Officer Order of Crown Belgium w/ Palm and Croix de Guerre; Grand Officer Order Orange-Nassau w/ swords (Netherlands); Abdon Calderon (Ecuador); Distinguished Service Star (Philippines)

Civil History: — Lecturer and author of magazine articles on Far Eastern Affairs, 48—; Consultant Far Eastern Affairs, DA, 49—. 1870 Wyoming Ave NW Washington 9 DC

Died, Sep. 26, 1961, at Asheville, N. C.: Aged 75.​b

Portrait and obituary at West Point Association of Graduates.º