Truscott, Lucian King, 1895-1965

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General Lucian King Truscott Jr. (January 9, 1895 – September 12, 1965) was a highly decorated senior United States Army officer, who saw distinguished active service during World War II. Between 1943–45, he successively commanded the 3rd Infantry Division, VI Corps, Fifteenth Army and Fifth Army. He was, along with Alexander Patch, among the few U.S. Army officers to command a division, a corps, and a field army on active service during the war.

His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major General Lucian King Truscott, Jr. (ASN: 0-7096), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding General, 3d Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces near Agrigento, Sicily, on 11 July 1943. Completely disregarding his own safety, General Truscott personally directed the successful operation which expended the 3d Division's Licata beachhead, and by his continuous presence with the forward elements, as well as his exemplary judgment and leadership, inspired his command to the early capture of Agrigento and the continuance of the attack northward. General Truscott's contact with the assault units was maintained in the face of intense artillery, mortar, and small arms fire, and he repeatedly exposed himself to this enemy fire in order to confer with the officers leading the attack and to keep them informed of the enemy situation. When certain elements were temporarily halted by an enemy counterattack he calmly and courageously assumed personal command and rallying his officers and men ordered a renewal of the attack, thereby regaining the initiative. By his intrepid direction, heroic leadership, and superior professional ability, General Truscott set an inspiring example for his command, reflecting the highest traditions of the armed forces.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn George S. Patton Papers, 1807-1979, (bulk 1904-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of War. 1791 - 1948. Motion Picture Films. 1942 - 1946. BEACHHEAD INTACT--ITALY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Department of Defense. Department of the Army. 3rd Infantry Division. 9/18/1947- Organization Authority Record United States. National Archives and Records Administration
referencedIn George S. Patton Papers, 1807-1979, (bulk 1904-1945) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Paramount Pictures, Inc., Collection. 1951 - 1951. Motion Picture Newsreel Films. 10/1941 - 3/1957. PARAMOUNT NEWS [JAN. 16] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn David Goldin Collection. 1932 - 1952. Audio Recordings of Radio Broadcasts of Speeches, Interviews, Combat Reports, Special Events, Public Affairs, and Entertainment for U.S. Troops. 1932 - 1952. VICTORY STATEMENTS OF GENERAL TRUSCOTT AND ADMIRAL HEWITT National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Hench, Atcheson Laughlin, 1891-1974. Letters to Atcheson Hench chiefly from 20th century political figures [manuscript] 1933-66. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. ALLIED BOMBERS STRIKE ON TWO FRONTS [ETC.] National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Army Staff, 1903 - 2009. Drafts and Background Material in Support of the Publication, "Riviera to the Rhine, 1944-1945", 1978 - 12/1993. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1860 - 1985. Historical Film Reports Relating to World War II. 1948 - 1948. CAMPAIGN IN SICILY National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of War. 1791 - 1948. Motion Picture Films. 1942 - 1946. THE LIBERATION OF ROME National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Coffman, Edward M. Papers and photographs, 1917-2002. Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
referencedIn War Department. 3rd Infantry Division. 11/21/1917-9/18/1947 Organization Authority Record United States. National Archives and Records Administration
referencedIn Records of the Office of War Information. 1926 - 1951. Motion Picture Films from "United News" Newsreels. 1942 - 1945. THE INVASION OF SICILY! National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Nessman, William, 1921-2007. Oral history interview with William Nessman, [sound recording], 2006. Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center
creatorOf Truscott, Lucian King, 1895-1965. The Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. papers, [between 1947-1965]. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Truscott, Lucian King, 1895-1965. Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. photograph collection. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
Relation Name
associatedWith Cavalry School (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Coffman, Edward M. person
associatedWith Command and General Staff School (U.S.) corporateBody
associatedWith Goldin, David person
associatedWith Hench, Atcheson Laughlin, 1891-1974. person
associatedWith Mauldin, Bill, 1921-2003. person
associatedWith Nessman, William, 1921-2007 person
correspondedWith Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945. person
memberOf United States. Army corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Armored Regiment, 13th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Armored Regiment, 1st. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Artillery Regiment, 10th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Artillery Regiment, 11th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 10th. Machine Gun Troop. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 17th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 1st. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 2nd. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry, 3rd. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry Brigade, 7th. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Cavalry Division, 1st. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Corps, 9th (1862-1865) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Infantry Division, 3rd. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Infantry Division, 3rd. Headquarters corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Infantry Division, 41st. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Ranger Battalion, 1st. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Schofield Barracks (Hawaii)
Fort Lewis (Wash.)
Fort Knox (Ky.)
Camp Harry J. Jones (Ariz.)
Fort Myer (Va.)
Alexandria VA US
Subject
United States. Army
Bonus Expeditionary Force, 1933
Cavalry
Colonel of Cavalry
Distinguished Service Cross (U.S.)
Generals
Generals
Military funerals
Soldiers
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War II, 1939-1945
Occupation
Army officers
Colonels
Generals
Generals
Activity

Person

Birth 1895-01-09

Death 1965-09-12

Male

Americans

English

Information

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SNAC ID: 10287636