Anthony Clement McAuliffe – General, United States Army

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Biographical materials supplied by the General’s nephew, Kenneth McAuliffe.

Born in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1898, he was a student at West Virginia University, 1916-17 and graduated from West Point in November, 1918. He advanced through the grades from Second Lieutenant in 1918 to General in 1955.

He was Commander of Division Artillery of the 101st Airborne Division when he parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and when he entered Holland by glider, 1944. In December, 1944, due to the absence of General Maxwell D. Taylor, he was acting Commander of the 101st Airborne Division and other attached troops during the siege of Bastogne, Belgium. When they became surrounded and the Germans demanded their surrender, he sent back a one-word reply “NUTS.” This is probably the most famous quote of World War II. In 1945, he commanded the 103rd Infantry Division until the end of the war in Europe.

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Following the war, he held many positions including the Head of the Army Chemical Corps and G-1, Head of Army Personnel. He returned to Europe as Commander of the 7th Army, 1953 and Commander in Chief of the U.S. Army in Europe, 1955. He retired from the Army in 1956 and worked for American Cyanamid Corporation, 1956-1963. He served as chairman of the New York State Civil Defense Commission, 1960-1963.

He resided in Chevy Chase, Maryland until his death on August 11, 1975. He is buried with his wife, son, and daughter (died April 2001) in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery.

The General’s son was named John Hillary McAuliffe.  He was named after the General’s younger brother who died suddenly in 1917, just days after the General reported to West Point.

 

John Hillary was born in 1923.  He never married and lived with the family until 1944. He tried to get into West Point in 1943, but was unable to pass the physical. While attending Georgetown University, he enlisted in 1944 and then went to Armored OCS at Fort Knox, Kentucky, getting his commission in 1945.  He served with the 78th Infantry Division in the occupation of Europe. After leaving the Army in 1949, he graduated from George Washington University in 1952.  He died of cancer in 1979.  As you noticed, he is buried adjacent to his father and mother at Arlington Cemetery.

McAULIFFE, ANTHONY CLEMENT
Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, General Orders No. 14 (January 14, 1945)

Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Anthony Clement McAuliffe (0-12263), Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Acting Commander, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces from 17 to 26 December 1944, at Bastogne, Belgium.

During this period General McAuliffe was in command of the 101st Airborne Division during the siege of Bastogne, Belgium, by overwhelming enemy forces. Though the city was completely surrounded by the enemy, the spirit of the defending troops under this officer’s inspiring, gallant leadership never wavered. Their courageous stand is epic.

General McAuliffe continuously exposed himself to enemy bombing, strafing, and armored and infantry attacks to personally direct his troops, utterly disregarding his own safety.

Brigadier General McAuliffe’s courage, fearless determination and inspiring, heroic leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.

MC AULIFFE, ANTHONY C
GENERAL   US ARMY
WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, KOREA

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 07/02/1898
  • DATE OF DEATH: 08/11/1975
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 3  SITE 2536
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

MC AULIFFE, HELEN W

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 04/19/1897
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/12/1983
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 3  SITE 2536
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF MC AULIFFE, ANTHONY C

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