Joseph Warren Stilwell US Army General, World War II veteran Date of Birth: 19.03.1883 Country: USA

Biography of Joseph Warren Stilwell

Joseph Warren Stilwell was a General in the United States Army and a participant in World War II. He was born on March 19, 1883, in a small town called Palatka, in Putnam County, Florida. His parents, Benjamin Stilwell and Mary Piney, were immigrants from the northern states. Stilwell grew up in New York, under the strict supervision of his father, who placed great importance on religion. This upbringing led Stilwell to question the value of religion and rely on common sense instead.

Stilwell attended Yonkers High School, where he excelled academically. However, he also developed a rebellious nature, engaging in various mischievous activities with his group of friends. After a fight resulted in the expulsion of the entire group, Stilwell's father decided to send him to the United States Military Academy at West Point instead of Yale University as originally planned. Despite the expiration of the deadline for recommendations to the Academy, Stilwell was admitted due to his family's connections, which reached President McKinley himself.

During his first year at West Point, Stilwell experienced a difficult time due to the hazing rituals, which he described as "hellish." However, he excelled in the study of foreign languages, particularly French, and became the top student in his class by his second year. Stilwell also participated in sports such as basketball, cross-country, and American football. He graduated from the Academy, ranking 32nd out of 124 cadets.

After completing his education, Stilwell taught at West Point and underwent further training at the Command and General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During World War I, Stilwell served as an intelligence officer for the 4th Army Corps and participated in the planning of the Saint-Mihiel offensive. He was awarded the "Distinguished Service Medal" for his service in France.

In the interwar period, Stilwell traveled to China three times, where he became fluent in Chinese. From 1935 to 1938, he served as a military attaché to the diplomatic mission of the United States in Beijing. In 1939-1940, he served in the 2nd Infantry Division, and from 1940 to 1941, he created and prepared the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Ord, California. Stilwell was recognized as the best corps commander in the U.S. Army before the United States entered World War II. He was initially chosen to lead the Allied invasion of North Africa but was later sent to China to prevent its withdrawal from the war.

As the Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, Stilwell was responsible for the China-Burma-India theater of operations and the supply of China through the lend-lease system. However, he quickly became entangled in conflicts related to American assistance and Chinese political separatism. Stilwell faced challenges due to the political balancing act required and the low priority given to the theater in terms of supplies. He clashed with both Chiang Kai-shek and British Field Marshal Archibald Wavell. Stilwell believed that the British were more concerned with protecting their colonial possessions in India than aiding China in the war against Japan.

Stilwell's primary goal was to organize a successful offensive in northern Burma to establish a land route to China. However, with the closing of the Burma Road, it became clear that supplying China would be extremely difficult. Stilwell organized Chinese divisions in India and Yunnan province, but his efforts were hindered by conflicting interests and lack of support. He became disillusioned with the corruption and incompetence of Chiang Kai-shek and his generals, and even proposed cutting off all assistance to China. Stilwell's relationship with Chiang became strained, and he openly expressed his frustrations in his correspondence with President Roosevelt.

In August 1943, the Allied command separated the India-China-Burma theater into two separate commands, and Stilwell became the deputy to Vice Admiral Louis Mountbatten in the newly formed Southeast Asia Command. Stilwell was given direct control over the planning of the offensive in northern Burma, which aimed to capture the city of Myitkyina. However, the operation faced significant challenges, and Stilwell's disregard for the health and well-being of his troops led to resentment among the soldiers.

During the siege of Myitkyina, Stilwell refused to evacuate the troops despite their deteriorating conditions. He ordered medical personnel to stop sending the sick to hospitals and return them to the front lines. The soldiers developed a deep animosity towards Stilwell, and some even contemplated assassinating him. Despite the challenges, the siege of Myitkyina was eventually successful, but not without significant casualties.

Stilwell's experiences in China and Burma shaped his views on the effectiveness of British forces and the corrupt nature of Chiang Kai-shek's regime. He increasingly questioned the strategies of his allies and their commitment to the war effort. Stilwell's frustrations and clashes with Chiang and the British ultimately led to his removal from command in October 1944.

After leaving China, Stilwell was appointed as the commander of the Tenth Army in the Pacific theater. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Okinawa, leading the Tenth Army to victory. Stilwell was recognized for his exceptional leadership during the battle.

Joseph Warren Stilwell retired from the military in 1946 and wrote his memoir, "The Stilwell Papers." He passed away on October 12, 1946, in San Francisco, California. Stilwell's military career was marked by his outspoken nature and his dedication to his troops. He was known for his blunt and sometimes controversial remarks, earning him the nickname "Vinegar Joe." Despite facing numerous challenges and conflicts, Stilwell was instrumental in the Allied efforts and left a lasting impact on the history of World War II.