George R. Mather
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| George R. Mather | |
|---|---|
| June 2, 1911 – January 1, 1993 (aged 81) | |
| Place of birth | Watertown, South Dakota |
| Place of death | Southern Pines, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1932-1971 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Southern Command III Corps V Corps 2nd Armored Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit Bronze Star with "V" Purple Heart |
George Robinson Mather was a United States Army four star general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command (USCINCSO) from 1969 to 1971.
[edit] Military career
Mather was born in Watertown, South Dakota on June 2, 1911. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy and in 1932 he graduated ad was commissioned in the cavalry. He studied Spanish at the University of Mexico in 1937 and then returned to West Point to teach Spanish for four years.
During World War II he served as Executive Officer of the 110th Infantry Regiment of the 28th Infantry Division. From 1946 to 1948, he served on the staff of the Caribbean Command in the Panama Canal Zone, beginning a long association with Latin America. Following an assignment as Chief of Staff, Fourth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston in 1961, he was assigned as Chairman, United States Delegation, Joint Brazil-United States Military Assistance Advisory Group in Rio de Janeiro until September 1964.
In 1965 he assumed command of the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood. Following that assignment, he served as the United States Military Representative to the Permanent Military Deputies Group, Central Treaty Organization located in Ankara, Turkey. He next took command of V Corps in 1966, returning stateside in 1967 to command III Corps. He became the first Director of Civil Disturbance Planning and Operations in July 1968. His final assignment was as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command. He retired from the army in 1971.
Mathers awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with "V" device, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
[edit] Post retirement
Mather retired to North Carolina, and served two terms as a village councilman. He died on January 1, 1993 in Southern Pines, North Carolina, survived by a son and daughter.
[edit] References
This article incorporates text from [1], a public domain work of the United States Government.
