Lemuel Mathewson (March 29, 1899 – February 26, 1970) was a United States Army lieutenant general.
Early career
Mathewson was born in Bath, New York on March 29, 1899.Current Biography, published by H.W. Wilson Company, Volume 13, 1952, page 33 A 1917 graduate of Bath's Haverling High School,Steuben County History web site, Bath Area High School Graduates page he graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1922 and was commissioned as an artillery officer.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, published by the Association of Graduates, 1930, page 1704
In the 1920s and 1930s, Mathewson served in a variety of assignments in the United States and overseas, including graduate student in Madrid, Spain, professor of Spanish at the United States Military Academy, instructor at the Fort Sill, Oklahoma Field Artillery School, and special projects officer in Latin America.Roster of Officers and Troops, United States Military Academy, 1932, page 5Current Biography, published by H.W. Wilson CompanyBiographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, 1930A Soldier Reports, by General William Childs Westmoreland, 1976, Volume 1, page 14
From 1938 to 1939, Mathewson attended the Command and General Staff College."Recommendations for Leavenworth and the War College", Lieutenant Colonel F.A. Doniat, The Field Artillery Journal, November–December, 1937, page 456U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1957, page 548
World War II 1943 to 1944 – Mathewson served as Aide to President Franklin D. Roosevelt,Annual Proceedings of the Legislature of Steuben County, published by Steuben County (N.Y.) Legislature, 2005, page 71 and was with him during conferences in Cairo and Tehran.The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943, U.S. Department of State Historical Office, 1961, page xxxv 1944 – Mathewson was appointed assistant commander of VII Corps Artillery.Army Information Digest, published by U.S. Armed Forces Information School, 1946, page 2 1944 to 1945 – Mathewson was then assigned to command XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery.Ridgway's Paratroopers: the American Airborne in World War II, Clay Blair, 1985, page 483
Post World War II 1945 to 1948 – Mathewson was Chief of Staff for the Caribbean Defense Command."Caribbean Command Shifts", The New York Times, September 1, 1945 1948 to 1949 – Mathewson was coordinator for the Inter-American Defense Board.Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1949, volumes 8 to 9, page 22 1949 to 1951 – He became commander of the 11th Airborne Division Artillery.The Angels: a History of the 11th Airborne Division, E.M. Flanagan, 1989, page 397 1951 to 1953 – Mathewson served as commander of the U.S. Berlin Command."U.S. Reinforces Berlin Garrison", Toledo Blade, January 15, 1951Web page, History of the Berlin Brigade "U.S. Will Relieve its Berlin Chief", The New York Times, December 25, 1952 1953 to 1954 – Mathewson commanded the U.S. Communications Zone in Orléans, France.
Later career 1954 to 1955 – Mathewson served as Director of the Joint Staff for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Notable Names in American History: a Tabulated Register, 1973, page 399 1956 to 1957 – Mathewson was commander of the U.S. V Corps.U.S. Army V Corps web site, leaders page 1957 to 1958 – Mathewson served as commander of the U.S. Sixth Army and went into retirement."6th Army Chief to Retire", The New York Times, January 16, 1958 In 1957 he was assigned as military aide to Queen Elizabeth II during her tour of the United States."Elizabeth on Way to Canada by Air", The New York Times, October 12, 1957
Awards and decorations Mathewson's awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star MedalOfficial Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1960, page 1284 and the Order of Alexander Nevsky from the Soviet Union.
Later work Mathewson served as Chairman of the Inter-American Defense Board from 1958 to 1961.U.S. Government Manual, 1960, page 574Annual Report, Organization of American States, 1961, page 11
Retirement and death After retiring from the IADB Mathewson resided in McLean, Virginia. He died at Walter Reed Army Hospital on February 26, 1970."Gen. Mathewson, Artilleryman, 70; Commander in Berlin From 1951 to 1953 Is Dead", The New York Times, March 1, 1970 General Mathewson was buried in Section III Site A-24 of the West Point Cemetery.
References
External links Generals of World War II