The Resume

(March 19, 1892-September 23, 1992)
Born in Fort Lee, New Jersey
Commanded the 17th Machine Gun Battalion during World War I
During World War II, commanded the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th and 90th Infantry Divisions, and III Corps of the Third Army
Advisor to the Greek government during the Greek Civil War (1946-50)
Succeeded Matthew B. Ridgway as commander of the 8th Army in Korea (1951)
Retired as a four-star general (1953)

Why he might be annoying:

His promotion past regimental commander was held up when General George C. Marshall confused him with an alcoholic officer with a similar name.
He controversially testified to Congress that he had been held back from fully pursuing the Communist forces in Korea.
He said Adlai Stevenson should have been fired as US representative to the United Nations for failing to support the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was fullback on West Point's undefeated football team (1915).
While heading the University of Florida's ROTC program, he also served two years as head coach of the Florida Gators football team, compiling a respectable 12-3-4 record (1923-24).
He earned three Distinguished Service Crosses, three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts.
His only son, a B-26 pilot, disappeared during a bombing run over Korea and was presumed dead.
He said, 'I never want to command by fear. I wouldn't want to be accused of abuse of power.'
President Harry S Truman said, 'General Van Fleet is the greatest general we have ever had. I sent him to Greece and he won the war. I sent him to Korea and he won the war.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 59]
• Generals and Admirals
• I Attended West Point
• I Died in 1992 (Ranked: 100)
• I Lived to 100 (Ranked: 100)
• I Named My Kid After Myself
• I Outlived My Child
• I Served in Both World Wars
• I'm Buried at Arlington National Cemetery [Virginia]
• Look at Me, I'm with Dwight Eisenhower
• Profiles 37001-37250 (Ranked: 37046)
• Purple Hearts
• Served in the Korean War
• Served in World War I
• Served in World War II

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 77 Votes: 54.55% Annoying