Walter W. Hess


Walter Wood Hess, Jr. was a United States Army officer with the rank of Brigadier General. He is most famous for his leadership as the Artillery Commander of the 36th Infantry Division.

Early life

Walter Wood Hess, Jr. was born in March 1892 in Pennsylvania. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated as the part of The class the stars fell on in 1915. There were ultimately 59 generals in that graduating class. For example: Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, James Van Fleet, Henry Aurand or Stafford LeRoy Irwin.
He served in France during World War I as an artillery officer commanding a battalion. He participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and Ypres - Lys Offensives.

World War II

He was appointed an Artillery officer of the 36th Infantry Division in November 1943. He succeeded Brigadier general Miles A. Cowles in this capacity. Hess participated with the 36th Division in landing at Salerno, Battle of Monte Cassino, Battle of Anzio, Operation Dragoon and Colmar Pocket.
For his leadership of the 36th Infantry Division Artillery, Hess was awarded with Legion of Merit and other awards.

Postwar career

After inactivation of the 36th Infantry Division in December 1945, Hess was transferred to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he was appointed as Assistant Commanding General of the Field Artillery Replacement Training Center. Following year, Hess was appointed as Commanding General of that center and succeeded Major general Donald C. Cubbison.
Hess stayed in this capacity just for a short time, because he was transferred back to Europe in 1946 and appointed a Chief of U.S. Military Liaison Mission to Soviet Zone in Germany.
He served there until year 1949, when he was ordered back to the United States and appointed as Executive Officer of the Minnesota Military District. His last command was as Commandant of Fort Carson in Colorado from 1950 to 1952, when he retired.
Brigadier general Walter W. Hess. Jr. died on April 10, 1972 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery together with his wife Ada E. Hess.

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