| Charles Wolcott Ryder | |
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Major General Charles Ryder |
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| Born | January 16, 1892 Topeka, Kansas |
| Died | August 17, 1960 Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1950 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | 34th Infantry Division, IX Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart World War I Victory Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal Order of the Bath |
| Relations | Major General Charles W. Ryder, Jr. (Son) |
Charles Wolcott Ryder, CB (January 16, 1892 – August 17, 1960), during World War II, was a U.S. Army Major General who commanded the 34th Infantry Division in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and the IX Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Ryder was born on January 16, 1892 in Topeka, Kansas. In 1915 he graduated from the United States Military Academy. In 1917–1919, he served as Major and Lt. Colonel in the 16th and 26th Infantry, in the 1st Infantry Division in France and Germany.
Between the wars, Ryder served in various posts, including the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; the 15th Infantry in Tientsin, China and as Commandant of Cadets at West Point(1937–1941). In 1941–1942, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps. From May 1942 to July 1944, Ryder was Commanding General, 34th Infantry Division, the first U.S. division deployed to Europe in World War II. He led the division through the North African and Italian campaigns, including the landings at Algiers and at Salerno.
From September 2, 1944 to December 6, 1948, Ryder was Commanding General, IX Corps, preparing for the invasion of Japan, and — after the surrender of Japan — serving in the occupation of Japan.
His son, Charles Wolcott Ryder, Jr. was USMA class of 1941 who had a distinguished career and rose to the rank of Major General.
Ryder retired from the Army in 1950, and died on August 17, 1960 at the age of 68.
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Distinguished Service Cross (with oak leaf cluster) |
| Distinguished Service Medal | |
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Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster) |
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Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster) |
| Purple Heart | |
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World War I Victory Medal (with Silver Citation Star) |
| American Campaign Medal | |
| European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal | |
| World War II Victory Medal | |
| Army of Occupation Medal (with Japan Clasp) | |
| Companion of the Order of the Bath [1] |