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U.S. Army General (1895–1954) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elbridge Gerry Chapman Jr. (November 20, 1895 – July 6, 1954)[1] was a senior United States Army officer who served in both World War I and World War II.[2] During the latter he commanded the 13th Airborne Division,[3] but saw no action.
Elbridge Gerry Chapman Jr. | |
|---|---|
Major General Elbridge Chapman (left), commander of the 13th Airborne Division, and Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, commander of Army Ground Forces, inspect troopers of the Elbridge's division, May 13, 1944 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Gerry" |
| Born | November 20, 1895 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 1954 (aged 58) San Bruno, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1946 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Service number | 0-6232 |
| Unit | Infantry Branch |
| Commands | 88th Glider Infantry Battalion Airborne Command 13th Airborne Division |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
Chapman attended the University of Colorado, where he played college football and was captain of the 1916 Colorado Silver and Gold football team.[4]
Chapman entered the United States Army in 1917, due to the American entry into World War I and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Infantry Branch. He served with distinction on the Western Front in France as a company commander with the 5th Machine Gun Battalion (attached to the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star Citation for valor.[5]
During the interwar period Chapman remained in the army, and by the time the United States entered World War II in December 1941 he was an enthusiastic supporter of the army's rapidly growing airborne forces, commanding the 88th Glider Infantry Battalion. He later became the Assistant Division Commander of the 13th Airborne Division,[6] eventually commanding the division in North-West Europe, though he never commanded it in action.
Chapman retired from the army in 1946, after almost thirty years of service, and died in San Bruno, California, in July 1954, aged 58.
Chapman was portrayed in the television miniseries Band of Brothers by David Andrews.
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