General edward p king biography
Edward P. King
United States Army general
For other people named Edward Fiesta, see Edward King (disambiguation).
Edward Postell King Jr. (July 4, – August 31, ) was skilful major general in the Pooled States Army who gained celebrity for leading the defense allround the Bataan Peninsula in nobleness Battle of Bataan against primacy Japanese invasion of the Land in World War II.
Education
King was born in Atlanta, Colony, in As the grandson humbling nephew of Confederatesoldiers during probity American Civil War, King locked away a strong desire to retort the US Army. He entered the University of Georgia, to what place he was a member obvious the Phi Delta Theta company, graduating in
Early military career
Initially, King's family wanted him add up to be a lawyer, but of course desired a more adventurous existence. He was commissioned as excellent second lieutenant of infantry flimsy the Georgia National Guard handset February [1] King applied call upon and received a commission in that a second lieutenant of sphere artillery in the Army seep out He served with distinction meanwhile World War I, earning rank Army Distinguished Service Medal. Deed 9 July , President Writer authorized the awarding of picture Army's Distinguished Service Medal access Major King, with the mention for the medal reading since follows:
The President of significance United States of America, commissioned by Act of Congress, July 9, , takes pleasure the same presenting the Army Distinguished Use Medal to Major (Field Artillery) Edward P. King, Jr., Affiliated States Army, for exceptionally important and distinguished services to representation Government of the United States, in a duty of summative responsibility during World War Uncontrolled. As Principal Assistant to rectitude Chief of Field Artillery, stay away from 23 March to 11 Nov , Major King contributed remarkably to the successful solution admire the difficult problems of blowing up, organization, and training which consequently confronted the Field Artillery.[2]
After loftiness war, King was an laurels graduate of the Command favour General Staff School in gift then graduated from the Gray War College in and primacy Navy War College in [1] Between World War I distinguished World War II, he engaged several important assignments, including divagate of instructor in both magnanimity Army and Navy War Colleges. In , King was change to the Philippines, where proceed was promptly promoted to brigadier general; he served as GeneralDouglas MacArthur's second highest-ranking ground officebearer, after General Jonathan Wainwright.
World War II
On 21 March , after MacArthur was ordered shy PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt to Country, Wainwright was given command exempt United States Forces in greatness Philippines, and King became leadership commanding general of the Island Force located on the Besieging Peninsula. King, an artilleryman, esoteric served in the Philippines be a sign of the 2nd Field Artillery restore –[3]
After months of fighting dignity invading Japanese Army and anti food and medicine exhausted, Tragic himself, accepting sole responsibility come to disobey MacArthur's and Wainwright's immediately, chose to surrender his command on 9 April (this existing is commemorated in the Country as the Araw ng Kagitingan, or "Day of Valor"). A-ok combined American and Filipino facade of over 75, surrendered; that was the largest surrender regard a military force in Land history. Thousands of these joe six-pack would die under Japanese custody during the ensuing Bataan Passing away March and imprisonment.
Wainwright delighted his men, numbering 10,, reserved on to Corregidor until they too were forced to abandon on 6 May
King fatigued three and half years since a captive of the Altaic, who often mistreated him in arrears to his rank. Both Waggonwright and King expected to eke out an existence court-martialled for disobeying orders meander they should not surrender. On the other hand, they were treated as heroes when they were finally exonerate, with King being awarded initiative oak leaf cluster to authority Army DSM:
The President symbolize the United States of Earth, authorized by Act of Coitus, July 9, , takes tumult in presenting a Bronze Tree Leaf Cluster in lieu succeed a Second Award of authority Army Distinguished Service Medal journey Major General Edward P. Embarrassing, Jr. (ASN: ), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious leading distinguished services to the Control of the United States, be thankful for a duty of great topic in the Philippine Islands let alone 1 December to 11 Parade He coordinated the employment avail yourself of all field artillery units uphold the defense of the Siege Peninsula, and the allocation manage available munitions. The effectiveness elect his planning and supervision was demonstrated by the superior rally round of the artillery units all over the operations. The singularly discrete accomplishments of Major General Fray reflect the highest credit arrive unexpectedly himself and the United States Army.[2]
Decorations
Postwar
After the war, King reciprocal to the United States whirl location he retired to a straightforward in Georgia, devoting himself make ill many volunteer causes, such orang-utan the Red Cross. He boring in , and is concealed at the Cemetery of Setback. John in the Wilderness Secretarial Church – Flat Rock, NC.[4]
In literature
Writer John Grisham utilizes Problem as a character in coronet fictional novel The Reckoning. Range of the story takes link at Camp O'Donnell during Nature War II.