Charles W. Ryder

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

Charles Wolcott Ryder, CB (January 16, 1892 – August 17, 1960), during World War II, was a U.S. Army major general who commanded the 34th Infantry Division in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, and the IX Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Biography

Ryder was born on January 16, 1892 in Topeka, Kansas. In 1915 he graduated from the United States Military Academy. In 1917–1919, he served as a Major and then Lt. Colonel in the 16th and 26th Infantry Regiments, of the 1st Infantry Division in France and Germany.

At the end of the conflict, Ryder had been decorated with two Distinguished Service Crosses, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.^[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, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps. From May 1942 to July 1944, Major General Ryder was commander of the 34th Infantry Division, the first U.S. division deployed to Europe in World War II. He led the division through the North African and Italian campaigns, including the landings at Algiers and at Salerno.

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

His son, Charles Wolcott Ryder, Jr. was USMA class of 1941 who had a distinguished career and 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

↑ Atkinson, Rick (2 October 2007). The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944 (The Liberation Trilogy Book 2). 8013: Henry Holt and Co. |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ Companion of the Order of the Bath

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