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First Name: Charles

Last Name: Bolte

Birthplace: USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Middle Name: Lawrence



Date of Birth: 08 May 1895

Date of Death: 11 February 1989

Rank: General

Years Served: 1916 - 1955
Charles Lawrence Bolte

   
Engagements:
•  World War I (1914 - 1918)
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Charles Lawrence Bolte
General, U.S. Army

Charles Lawrence Bolte was born on 8 May 1895. He graduated from what is today the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering. He began his military career in 1916 when he earned a commission in the Army as a Second Lieutenant. Two years later, he went to France and saw combat in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as a member of the 58th Infantry, 4th Division.

Bolte returned to the U.S. as a Captain in 1919. He then completed the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning in 1930, and graduated in 1932 from the Command and General Staff School. Bolte completed his education at the Army War College and remained there as an instructor until 1940.

In 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Bolte journeyed to London as head of a group of Army observers and, early in 1942, assumed the position of Chief of Staff of U.S. Forces in the United Kingdom. As a Major General, he commanded the 69th Division in 1943 and then, in July 1944, took over the 34th Infantry Division in Italy, guiding it through successful actions, including the drive through the Apennine Mountains and the capture of Bologna.

Bolte served in Washington after the war and, in 1953, as a Lieutenant General, became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, Europe. Later that year, General Bolte returned home to serve as Army Vice Chief of Staff under General Matthew B. Ridgway. Bolte retired from active service in 1955 as a General.

Retirement

Following retirement from the Army, he worked as special assistant to the chairman of the board of American Car & Foundry Industries from 1955 to 1958. He then became Chairman of the Board of Advanced Growth Capital Corporation, retiring from this in the 1960s. He was also active in charitable work, and served as President of the Army & Navy Club.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal (2 Awards)
Silver Star Medal
Legion of Merit
Purple Heart
World War I Victory Medal
American Defense Medal
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Croix de guerre (France)

Death and Burial

General Charles Lawrence Bolte died on 11 February 1989 at Mount Vernon Hospital, VA, following a stroke. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 7A Lot 16.



Honoree ID: 192   Created by: MHOH

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