Gruenther, Alfred M. (Alfred Maximilian), 1899-1983

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Alfred Maximilian Gruenther (1899-1983) was a military officer, educator, bridge expert, and author. Nicknamed "the Brain" by colleagues, Gruenther was respected worldwide for his extraordinary analytical and strategic skills as a staff officer and soldier-diplomat. Gruenther's career of nearly forty years in the U.S. Army reached a pinnacle in 1951, when he was named chief of staff at North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters and became, at fifty-three years of age, the youngest four-star general in Army history. Two years later he was promoted to commander of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe (SHAPE). This triumph capped years of varied service. Gruenther's military posts prior to World War II included eight years of instructing in mathematics, electricity, and chemistry at West Point, the U.S. Military Academy. For part of World War II he served as deputy chief of staff of Allied Force Headquarters in London under General Dwight Eisenhower. Gruenther later served General Mark Clark as chief of staff of the Fifth Army and Fifteenth Army in the Mediterranean theater and was responsible for planning the invasions of North Africa, Salerno, and Sicily. Following his 1956 retirement as commander of SHAPE, he became president of the American Red Cross. He was also known internationally as a bridge player, tournament director, and referee.

From the description of Gruenther, Alfred M. (Alfred Maximilian), 1899-1983 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10574714

American army officer.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (5) : "Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe", to Mrs. John C. Hughes, variously dated [no year]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270507537

Army officer.

From the description of Reminiscences of Alfred M. Gruenther : oral history, 1967. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122527722

From the description of Reminiscences of Alfred M. Gruenther : oral history, 1965. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 122684348

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. CEREMONY CONFERRING HONORARY DEGREES ON GEN. MATTHEW D. RIDGWAY, GEN THOMAS T. HANDY, GEN. LAURIS NORSTAD BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT SHAPE, ROCQUENCORT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF SHAPE FORMATION, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE IN LISBON, [PORTUGAL] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [DEC. 17] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [APR. 11] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [DEC. 27] National Archives at College Park
creatorOf National War College (U.S.). Letters, 1947, to Lewis Mumford. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GEN. MATTHEW B. RIDGWAY BIDS GOOD-BYE TO ADM. ROBERT C. CARNEY COMPLETING ASSIGNMENT AS CINC, ALLIED FORCES, SOUTHERN EUROPE SHAPE HEADQUARTERS, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Records of the American National Red Cross. 1881 - 2008. Official Administrative Documents National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, LISBON, PORTUGAL National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [NOV. 5] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [FEB. 25] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [MAY 13] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Fox Movietone News Collection. 1957 - 1963. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 1957 - 1963. Movietone News, Vol. 43, No. 49 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Fox Movietone News Collection. 1957 - 1963. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 1957 - 1963. Movietone News, Vol. 42, No. 25 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. General Alfred M. Gruenther arriving in Washington DC National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [JULY 1] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, FORO ITALICO, ROME, ITALY National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Alfred M. Gruenther Papers. 1941 - 1978. Photographs Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Stellanova Osborn papers, 1907-1988 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Stellanova Osborn papers, 1907-1988 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. Statement by Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther, SHAPE Commander ; Arrival of the NATO group at river entrance, Pentagon, Washington, D. C. National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Records of the American National Red Cross. 1881 - 2008. Records of General Alfred M. Gruenther National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Joseph Barnes Papers, 1923-1970 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Pennell, Ralph McT. Ralph McT. Pennell papers, 1941. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Gruenther, Alfred M. (Alfred Maximilian), 1899-1983. Reminiscences of Alfred M. Gruenther : oral history, 1965. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE IN LISBON, [PORTUGAL] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GENS. RIDGWAY AND GRUENTHER SPEAK TO THE PRESS ON THE SUBJECT OF THE FUTURE SACEUR COMMAND TURNOVER TO SHAPE, SHAPE HEADQUARTERS, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. Members of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy visit Shape Headquarters near Paris, France National Archives at College Park
referencedIn The Nation, records, 1879-1974 (inclusive), 1920-1955 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GEN. ALFRED M. GRUENTHER IN DENMARK National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. General Gruenther and Admiral Wright, Pentagon, Washington, DC National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interviews with W. Randolph Burgess Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Parrish, Noel Francis. Papers, 1894-1987 (bulk 1930-1987). Library of Congress
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. VIPS VISIT WIESBADEN AB National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE MEETING, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [MAY 4] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. Gen. Douglas MacArthur presented with flag at Governor's Island, NY; Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther at Red Cross HQ National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interviews with C. Craig Cannon Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. TURNOVER CEREMONY AT SHAPE HEADQUARTERS, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Hodgson, Paul Alfred, 1891-1955. Correspondence, 1911-1955. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. DUKE OF EDINBURGH VISITS SHAPE, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 1921 - 2008. Information and Education Films. 1943 - 1969. Fire Away National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [AUG. 10] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn WHITE, Maj Gen Percival Napier (1901-1982), 1953-1955, 1957 King's College London, Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
referencedIn Letters received, 1954-1962. Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Special Film Reports. 1944 - 1945. INVASION PICTURES [AIRBORNE, ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations. 1900 - 2003. Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities. 1947 - 1984. FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [JUNE 22] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Fox Movietone News Collection. 1957 - 1963. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 1957 - 1963. MOVIETONE NEWS, vol. 41, no. 48 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Robert L. Eichelberger Papers, 1728-1998, (bulk 1942-1949) David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
referencedIn Robert B. Anderson Papers. 1933 - 1989. Photographs Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Joseph Barnes Papers, 1923-1970 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [JAN. 19] National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Gruenther, Alfred M. (Alfred Maximilian), 1899-1983. Letter, 1950, to Lewis Mumford. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Sloan, George A. Papers, 1917-1955. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. PRESS RELEASE BY LORD ISMAY, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the American National Red Cross. 1881 - 2008. Historical Personnel Files National Archives at College Park
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy. 1941 - 2004. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities. 1947 - 1980. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF IN CONFERENCElt;*gt; Little White House Key West, Fla National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, LISBON, PORTUGAL National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Karl G. Harr Jr. Papers. 1943 - 1996. Photographs Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [MAR. 24] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GEN. ALFRED M. GRUENTHER ARRIVES, WASHINGTON, D.C National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO MEETING AT CAMP VOLUCEAU, EUROPE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Noel Francis Parrish Papers, 1894-1987, (bulk 1930-1987) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf George E. Allen Papers. 1942 - 1969. Personal Files Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE THIRD DAY, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Gruenther, Alfred Maximilian, 1899-. Autograph letters signed (5) : "Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe", to Mrs. John C. Hughes, variously dated [no year]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn New York Times Company records. Arthur Hays Sulzberger papers, 1823-1999 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GEN. EISENHOWER VISITS ANKARA AND ATHENS, TURKEY AND GREECE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. GEN. MATTHEW B. RIDGWAY BIDS GOOD-BYE TO ADM. ROBERT C. CARNEY COMPLETING ASSIGNMENT AS CINC, ALLIED FORCES, SOUTHERN EUROPE SHAPE HEADQUARTERS, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interviews with General Alfred Gruenther Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Dwight D. Eisenhower Library Oral History Collection. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Transcripts. 1962 - 1998. Oral History Interview with Carter L. Burgess Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Fox Movietone News Collection. 1957 - 1963. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 1957 - 1963. Movietone News, Vol. 44, No. 28 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. Dignitaries visit Shape, Marly le Roi, France ; Raising of Greek, Turkish flags in NATO ceremony, Shape, Marly le Roi, France National Archives at College Park
Alfred M. Gruenther Papers Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. NATO CONFERENCE, PARIS, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Alfred M. Gruenther Papers. 1941 - 1978. Personal Files Dwight D. Eisenhower Library
creatorOf Gruenther, Alfred M. (Alfred Maximilian), 1899-1983. Reminiscences of Alfred M. Gruenther : oral history, 1967. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [DEC. 2] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Hanson Weightman Baldwin papers, 1900-1988 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Motion Picture Films from the Army Library Copy Collection. 1964 - 1980. 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF SHAPE FORMATION, ROCQUENCOURT, FRANCE National Archives at College Park
Relation Name
associatedWith Baldwin, Hanson Weightman, 1903-1991. person
associatedWith Barnes, Joseph, 1907-1970. person
associatedWith Edwin, Ed, person
associatedWith Eichelberger, Robert L., 1886-1961 person
associatedWith Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. person
associatedWith Federated Department Stores. corporateBody
associatedWith Hodgson, Paul Alfred, 1891-1955. person
associatedWith Hughes, Margaret Kelly, d. 1980, person
associatedWith Lazarus, Fred, 1884-1973. person
associatedWith National War College (U.S.). corporateBody
associatedWith Nation (New York, N.Y. : 1865). corporateBody
associatedWith New York Times Company corporateBody
associatedWith North Atlantic Treaty Organization. corporateBody
associatedWith Osborn, Stellanova, 1894-1988. person
associatedWith Parrish, Noel Francis. person
correspondedWith Pennell, Ralph McT. person
associatedWith Sloan, George A. person
correspondedWith Theodore Roosevelt Association. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Military assistance, American
Presidents
Veterans
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1899-03-03

Death 1983-05-30

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 63720997