Charles W. Ryder

Charles Wolcott Ryder
Born	January 16, 1892 Topeka, Kansas, United States
Died	August 17, 1960 (aged 68) Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, United States
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1917–1950
Rank	Major General
Unit	Infantry Branch
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	Charles W. Ryder, Jr. (Son)

Major General Charles Wolcott Ryder, CB (January 16, 1892 – August 17, 1960) was a senior United States Army officer who served in both World War I and World War II. During the latter he was Commanding General (CG) of the 34th Infantry Division in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and IX Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Biography

Born in Topeka, Kansas in January 1892, he graduated from the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch of the United States Army in 1915. After the American entry into World War I in early April 1917, he served with the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) on the Western Front with the 16th and 26th Infantry Regiments, of the 1st Infantry Division, serving in all the division's major battles.

After the end of the conflict, which came to an end on November 11, 1918, Ryder remained in the army, served on occupation duties in France and Germany. Ryder had been decorated with two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his service in the war.^[1]

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, during World War II, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps. From May 1942 to July 1944, Ryder, promoted to major general, was Commanding General (CG) of the 34th Infantry Division, the first U.S. division deployed to Europe in World War II. He led the division through the Tunisia Campaign and the Italian Campaign, including the Operation Torch landings in French North Africa in November 1942 and many battles in Italy.

From September 2, 1944 to December 6, 1948, Ryder was CG of the IX Corps, preparing for the invasion of Japan, and–after the Japanese surrender–serving in the occupation of Japan.

His son, Charles Wolcott Ryder, Jr. was a USMA graduate of the class of 1941 who servedhwith the 90th Infantry Division, had a distinguished career and, like his father, also 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.

Awards and Decorations

	Distinguished Service Cross (with oak leaf cluster)
	Distinguished Service Medal
	Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster)
	Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster)
	Purple Heart
	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 [2]

External links

• Papers of Charles W. Ryder, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
• Past USMA & WPAOG Leadershp
• 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans
• Hall of Valor awards