Troy H. Middleton

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Middleton in the Ardennes, 1944.

Lieutenant General Troy Houston Middleton (October 12, 1889–October 9, 1976) was a distinguished soldier-educator who served as a corps commander in Europe during World War II and, later, as President of Louisiana State University (LSU).

Commissioned in the United States Army in 1912, Middleton rose to the rank of colonel by 1918, the youngest officer of that rank in the American Expeditionary Forces. During World War I, Middleton commanded in combat and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for actions in the Meuse-Argonne offensive.

Middleton then served at the United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning; the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth; the Army War College, Washington, D.C.; and finally LSU. After serving as Commandant of Cadets at LSU, he retired from the Army in 1937 to accept an offer as Dean of Administration and later acting Vice President of that institution.

Recalled to service in early 1942, Middleton commanded the 45th Infantry Division during the Sicily, and Salerno battles, and then in December 1943 moved up to command the U.S. VIII Corps. Middleton's brilliant leadership in Operation Cobra and in the Battle of the Bulge led to his widespread recognition as a corps commander of extraordinary abilities.

Retiring from the Army again, Middleton returned to LSU and, in 1950, was appointed to the university presidency. Middleton continued to serve the Army in numerous consultative capacities. he resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, until his death in 1976. His remains were interred in Baton Rouge National Cemetery. The Air Force/Army ROTC building at Mississippi State University, Middleton's alma mater, is named for him. Louisiana State University's library is named for him, when he was president of LSU, he got into a fight with the Louisiana Legislature over funding priorities. Middleton wanted a new library, the legislature wanted to enclose the south end zone of Tiger Stadium. Both happened.