The Generals

A United States Army Colonel who had been retired from the armed services for several years told me a story about some generals he had known during World War Two.

He Said, “One of the generals I remember because he spoke with a broad English accent learned at New England's Harvard University. He was from a wealthy family, and he loved being in the United States Infantry. He sounded formal when he spoke. It was because of his Harvard accent. He was a little overweight but a good looking officer. He tried to be a regular guy and refused to wear a tie sometimes. He loved to wear the kakki of the foot soldier. He did not puff himself up like some of the other officers did. He had a reputation for getting himself lost. I met the general on one of those occasions when he was sort of lost in New England, and his car had run out of gas. He flagged my car as I passed by his Jeep. He spoke, "I say, I wonder if I might bum a ride with you?"

Naturally, I decided to help him. I was a junior officer in his artillery division, and I was happy to be of service. I went out of my way to drive him to his destination. During the drive he told me about his infantry horses. He was very proud of them, and he seemed to enjoy telling me about them.

Shortly after the United States engaged in war against Hitler I was serving in Tunisia. The very same general who got lost in New England was second in command of our artillary outfit. He was well liked by the men in spite of his wealth. He had arranged to bring over his wife, and she worked as a nurse in a nearby hospital. Having her nearby must have given him joy as he served in Tunesia fighting against the French Army. At the very beginning of World War Two, the French had been defeated by Germany in France, but the French army still controlled Tunesia in North Africa. When United States forces invaded Africa, the French army resisted and fought against the invasion. Using tanks instead of horses, it did not take United States forces long to get the upper hand against the French Army.

One day as we occupied the top of a hill, a General of the French Army came riding to our post on a great white Stallion. The general was dressed in the most beautiful blue and white uniform I ever saw. Now, our General from Harvard was always acting like a regular guy, not getting dressed up or anything. He looked like a foot soldier. He was not like General Patton who always shipped his horses with him when he went off to fight. General Patton insisted all of his officers should wear a tie even on the front lines. No, this Harvard man was more laid back in his style. When the French General asked who was in charge, our General explained that he himself was in charge at the moment because the commander was off on business someplace else.

The fancy French officer said, "I have come on horseback to offer my sword in surrender."

I'll always remember what the general said to him. He said, "If you want to surrender and give me your sword , you'll have to get down off that god-damned horse." The Frenchman surrendered on foot without much ceremony.

Oh, by the way, our general from Harvard was the son of a former president of the United States. His name was General Teddy Roosevelt Junior.