Clare Hibbs Armstrong
Clare Hibbs Armstrong (January 23, 1894 - July 12, 1969) was a Brigadier General during World War II. He was known for commanding the 109th Coast Artillery and the 50th Antiaircraft Brigade.
Clare Hibbs Armstrong | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 23, 1894 Albert Lea, Minnesota |
| Died | July 12, 1969 |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Rank | Brigadier General, Colonel (Reverted) |
| Commands | 109th Coast Artillery Group, 50th Antiaircraft Brigade, |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Stars (2) |
Early life and education
Armstrong was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota on January 23, 1894. He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1917.[1][2]
Military career
In 1920, Armstrong was assigned to the 42nd Infantry with orders to join his regiment in the Canal Zone.[3] Armstrong transferred to the Coast Artillery in 1930.[4]
Armstrong was responsible for the air defense of Antwerp during World War II. Designated Antwerp-X, the defenses included more than 500 guns and 22,000 men.[5]
Awards
Distinguished Service Medal
Citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Clare Hibbs Armstrong (ASN: 0-5318), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, from November 1944 to April 1945, while Commanding the anti-aircraft artillery defense of Antwerp against Germany flying-bomb attacks. By the skillful tactical disposition of his forces and never ending relocation of units to meet threats from changing directions, General Armstrong threw about the vital Belgian port a cordon which at the end of the campaign was destroying 97 per cent of all V-1 robot bombs aimed at the docking facilities which supplied the 12th and ** Army Groups. In this operation he integrated the efforts of American, British, and Polish anti-aircraft artillery comprised of three brigades totally more than 22,000 men, molding a team which frustrated the German's all-out effort and made possible uninterrupted supply of Allied forces in their drive from the Roer to the Elbe. His great accomplishment was an outstanding contribution to the successful termination of the war in Europe.[6]
Other awards
Armstrong received 2 Bronze stars.[7]
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Due to his work with the 50 AAA Brigade United States Army, he was recommended for the award of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.[8]
Personal life
Armstrong married Mary Denard Coombs.[9] Together, they had a son, named Clare Hibbs Armstrong Jr.[10] another son named DeWitt Clinton, and a daughter named Elizabeth Anne.[9] His first wife died in 1938.[9]
Armstrong married Mary Weber Harter on June 5, 1939.[9]
Armstrong later married Catherine Hays Taylor.[9]
Legacy
A bust of Armstrong is on display in Antwerp's City hall.
References
- ^ Ancell, R. Manning; Miller, Christine M. (1996). The Biographical Dictionary of World War II Generals and Flag Officers. Westport, CT: Greenwood. p. 8. ISBN 0313295468.
- ^ United States Military Academy. Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy Printing Office. p. 35. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ King, Benjamin; Kutta, Timothy (2003). Impact: The History Of Germany's V-Weapons In World War II. Cambridge, Mass: Da Capo. p. 267. ISBN 0306812924. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
- ^ Bergstrom, Christer (2014). The Ardennes, 1944-1945. Casemate. p. 178. ISBN 1612002773. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- ^ "Clare Hibbs Armstrong: Army Distinguished Service Medal- Awarded For Actions During World War II". Valor Military Times. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|dead-url=(help) - ^ Ancell, R. Manning; Miller, Christine M. (1996). The Biographical Dictionary of World War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. p. 8. ISBN 0-313-29546-8.
- ^ "Catalogue description Recommendation for Award for Armstrong, Clare Hibbs, Rank: Brigadier General..." – via National Archive of the UK.
- ^ a b c d e Marquis Who's Who, Inc. Who Was Who in American History, the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1975. P. 15 ISBN 0837932017 OCLC 657162692
- ^ United States Military Academy. Association of Graduates (1999). "Clare H. Armstrong Jr. '44". Assembly. 57 (4–6): 177. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
External links
Category: United States Military Academy alumni Category: American generals Category: 1894 births Category: 1969 deaths
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