LeRoy Lutes

Lieutenant general LeRoy Lutes (October 4, 1890 – January 30, 1980) was an decorated American military officer who was in critical staff and supply positions during and after World War II. His last assignment was a commanding general of the Fourth United States Army.

LeRoy Lutes
Born(1890-10-04)October 4, 1890
Cairo, Illinois
DiedJanuary 30, 1980(1980-01-30) (aged 89)
Place of Burial
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1906–1952
Rank Lieutenant general
Commands held Fourth United States Army
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Early years

LeRoy Lutes was born on October 4, 1890, in Cairo, Illinois. Lutes attended the Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and joined the Illinois National Guard in 1906. Lutes was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Regular Army on March 21, 1917 while serving on the Mexican border.

After the war, Lutes was transferred to the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps and also attended the advanced course at Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. Subsequently, Lutes also attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he earned more military knowledges.

In July 1935, Lutes was transferred to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., where he served until the end of June 1939.[1]

Second World War

In January 1940 he became Chief of logistic and also assistant Chief of staff of the Third Army in Atlanta under the command of Lieutenant General Herbert J. Brees. Lutes participated in the Louisiana Maneuvers in 1940-1941. Brehon Somervell, impressed with Lutes' talents as a staff officer, helped advance his career.[2] Lutes was appointed Director of Operations, Headquarters Services of Supply in 1942. In succession he became Acting Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Army Service Forces; Chief of Staff and Deputy to the commanding general, Army Service Forces; and on January 1, 1946, Commanding General, Army Service Forces. On June 11, 1946, he was assigned to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s General Staff as Director of the Service, Supply and Procurement Division. In 1947 he became Director of Staff of the Munitions Board and in 1949 he was made commanding general of the Fourth Army. He retired from the Army in 1952. In 1955 he was appointed to a committee to advise the Office of Defense Mobilization on the availability of commodities related to national defense.[3]

For his services during World War II and its aftermath, Lutes received the Army Distinguished Service Medal with the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. [4]

Family life

Lutes married four times; his wives were Martha M. Mulvihill (1893–1953), Charlotte Townsend Lutes (1902–1955), Mildred Speas Lutes (1911–1966, and Helen Kinney Lutes (1912 - 2011).[5] His son LeRoy Lutes Jr. (1914–1992) graduated from West Point and was a US Army colonel who received the Army Distinguished Service Medal, for service in Vietnam.[6]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Lieutenant general LeRoy Lutes:
1st Row Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal
2nd Row Army Commendation Medal Mexican Border Service Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal with Clasp
3rd Row American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Service Stars European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Service Stars World War II Victory Medal
4th Row Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal Antarctica Service Medal Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire
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References
  1. Industrialists in Olive Drab: The Emergency Operation of Private Industries During World War 2, John H. Ohly, Center of Military History, 1999, p. 101
  2. Lt. Gen. LeRoy Lutes: The Man Behind the Plan, by Manuela Richter
  3. "Biography of Leroy Lutes".
  4. Military Times, "Valor Awards for LeRoy Lutes"
  5. Lutes family at Arlington Cemetery
  6. Military Times, valor awards for LeRoy Lutes Jr.
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