Lionel Charles McGarr (March 5, 1904 – November 3, 1988) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army and commander of the Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam.
Early life and start of military career
McGarr was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 5, 1904, and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1928.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, published by the Association of Graduates, 1930, p. 2115 After receiving his commission as a second lieutenant of infantry he served in command and staff positions of increasing rank and responsibility, including assignments in Hawaii, California and Georgia.Official Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1939, p. 36Amslers of Austin's Colony, Amanda Howze Amsler, 1976, p. 77
World War II McGarr saw extensive combat in North Africa and Europe during World War II as commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from October 1943 to December 1944, acting assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from December 1944 to January 1945, and again commander of the 30th Infantry Regiment from January to May 1945.History of the 30th Infantry Regiment in World War II, Rupert Prohme, 1947, p. 371History of the Third Infantry Division in World War II, Donald Gilbert Taggart, 1947, p. 94Third Infantry Division, Philip St John, 1994, p. 31
Post World War II McGarr was assistant division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from 1945 to 1946,The 2nd United States Infantry Division in Korea, Clark C. Munroe, 1954, Volume 2, p. 24 and he graduated from the National War College in 1947, afterwards serving in the intelligence section of the Army General Staff.Amslers of Austin's Colony, p. 77
In 1948 he was named commander of the 350th Infantry Regiment in Austria, in 1949 he became tactical inspector for U.S. Tactical Command in Austria, and from 1950 to 1951 he was U.S. Tactical Command's chief of staff.The 2nd United States Infantry Division in Korea
Korean War McGarr served in the Korean War as assistant division commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in 1951 and later commander of Allied Prisoner of War Command – Korea.Newspaper article, Screen for Activities on Packed Roads, Montreal Gazette, April 16, 1953Newspaper article, Korea Truce Talks Resumed In Secret, New York Times, May 25, 1953Newspaper article, Rhee Orders Their Release, Southeast Missourian, June 18, 1953 From October 1953 to May 1954 he was commander of the 7th Infantry Division.Web site, History of the 7th Infantry Division
Post Korean War From June 1954 to June 1956 McGarr commanded the US Army Caribbean Command.Newspaper article, U.S. Army School is Training Latins, New York Times, October 31, 1954Newspaper article, Guatemala President Arrives In Miami, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, October 31, 1955 He was then appointed commandant of the Army Command and General Staff College.Newspaper article, Caribbean Commander Shifted, New York Times, April 7, 1956
Service in South Vietnam In September 1960 he was promoted to Lieutenant General and named commander of Military Assistance Advisory Group – Vietnam.Newspaper article, Aide in Vietnam Promoted, New York Times, June 1, 1960Newspaper article, Attack by Rebels in South Vietnam Appears Crushed He served at this post until July 1962 when, against McGarr's advice,Gunn-ing for the Globe: Giles Gunn, by Ruben Brosbe and Stephanie Tavares, Daily Nexus, University of California – Santa Barbara, November 4, 2003 U.S. military escalation began and he was succeeded by General Paul Harkins, who commanded MAAG-V's successor unit, Military Assistance Command – Vietnam.Newspaper article, Gen. Trudeau Retiring; Aide to Succeed Him, New York Times, April 11, 1962Newspaper article, General McGarr is Honored, New York Times, July 3, 1962
Awards and decorations His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, five Bronze Stars and seven Purple Hearts.Military Times Hall of Valor, Recipients of the Distinguished Service CrossMilitary Times, Hall of Valor, Index of Recipients of U.S. Major Military Awards
Combat Infantryman Badge Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster Silver Starwith bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Meritwith bronze oak leaf clusters Bronze Star Medalwith Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clustersBronze Star Medal(second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Purple Heartwith silver and bronze oak leaf clustersAir MedalAmerican Defense Service Medalwith service starAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith Arrowhead device and two silver campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalArmy of Occupation Medalwith 'Germany' claspNational Defense Service Medalwith service starKorean Service Medalwith three bronze campaign starsArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalCommander of the Legion of Honour(France)Croix de Guerre with Palm, Silver and Gold Stars(France)Officer of the Order of Leopold(Belgium)Croix de Guerre with Palm(Belgium)Cross of Valour(Poland)Order of Military MeritChungmu Medal(South Korea)Order of National Security MeritGukseon Medal(South Korea)United Nations Korea MedalVietnam Campaign MedalKorean War Service Medal(retroactive)
Army Presidential Unit Citationwith bronze oak leaf clusterRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit CitationRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
French Fourragère
Citation for Distinguished Service Cross "The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lionel C. McGarr, Colonel (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 September 1944. Colonel McGarr's outstanding leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army."
- Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, General Orders No. 107 (1944)
Retirement and death After leaving South Vietnam McGarr retired at the Presidio,Newspaper article, General McGarr is Honored afterwards living in Lafayette, California until his death in San Francisco on November 3, 1988.California Death Index, 1940–1997Social Security Death Index He was buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, Section B, Site 1606A.
References