| Charles D. Palmer | |
|---|---|
General Charles D. Palmer meeting with U.S. Army WACs |
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| Born | February 20, 1902 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | June 7, 1999 (aged 97) Washington, D.C. |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1924-1962 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Sixth Army 1st Cavalry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War |
| Awards | Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Relations | William Edward Birkhimer (grandfather) Williston B. Palmer (brother) |
| Other work | military consultant |
Charles Day Palmer (February 20, 1902 – June 7, 1999) was a United States Army four star general who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command (DCINCEUR) from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B. Palmer, was also a four star general, and his grandfather, William Edward Birkhimer, was a general and Medal of Honor recipient.
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Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 20, 1902. After graduating from Washington High School in Washington, D.C., he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1924.
As the United States entered World War II, then-Major Palmer was in the British West Indies woking to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare projects. Palmer went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division, and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô, and crossing the Siegfreid Line.
During the invasion of southern France in October 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general.
Palmer was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted. He was the commander of the division artillery commander and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns.
His later posts included Commander, Sixth United States Army in California and Deputy Commander of U.S. forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962.
Palmer's awards and decorations included the Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star , and the Air Medal.
After retiring from the Army, Palmer settled in Washington and worked as a military consultant with the Research Analysis Corporation. He was also a director of both St. Albans School and the Retired Officers Association, and a member of the Army and Navy Club.
Palmer died in Washington D.C. on June 7, 1999 at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community. He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, next to his brother and mother.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Lemuel Mathewson |
Commanding General of the Sixth United States Army 1958-1959 |
Succeeded by Robert M. Cannon |