<p>
The story of <em>Ed Bechtold</em> is the story of West Point. Here again one of the Army’s sons has risen through the routine of peacetime assignments to spectacular accomplishments in war and the difficult postwar period. Ed was born the son of Colonel and Mrs. Jacob E. Bechtold. He went to Stanton-on-the-Hudson before attending the United States Military Academy with the Class of 1935. He was one of the most popular and best adjusted men in his class. Two years after graduation he married Dee, to which union was born a daughter, Sandra. This was a carefree and happy family. The informality and evident deep affection and complete mutual understanding of its members charmed American and foreign friends alike around the world. Ed counted his family life as his major blessing.</p>
<p>
Before the war Ed attended the Field Artillery School and the Marine Corps School. Afterwards he graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the French War College, L’Ecole Superieure de Guerre, in Paris in 1950.</p>
<p>
World War II found Ed in the fight from the first with the famous 1st Division. His commander during the entire war was Major General Clift Andrus, who wrote of him:</p>
<p>
“Ed Bechtold was S-3 of the 32nd F.A. Battalion when I assumed command of 1st Division Artillery in May 1942. We served together from then until after the end of fighting in 1945.</p>
<p>
“During the operations at Oran in November 1942, we had a severe fight—our first in World War II—in which the 18th Infantry had the main effort. The 32nd F.A. was supporting the 18th and I went around to see how things were progressing. Ed was running the Fire Direction Center where everything was as calm and functioning as though it were a drill in the gun park back home.</p>
<p>
“In May 1945, the last hard fight occurred in Czechoslovakia and again it was the 18th Infantry that bore the brunt. This time Ed commanded the 32nd F.A., and visits to his area showed the same quiet smooth professional operations that characterized Ed and his manner of performing his duty.</p>
<p>
“In between these battles, Ed demonstrated his worth and he was advanced from Battalion S-3 to Battalion Executive and from there I brought him up to Div Arty as my S-3. When a vacancy occurred he was given command of the 32nd F.A.</p>
<p>
“As I write this the memories of over five hundred days of front line operations are passing in review and the face of Ed Bechtold appears time after time, usually in critical situations, but always with the satisfaction of knowing that he could be depended on for the skillful handling of artillery and the saving of priceless Infantry lives.</p>
<p>
“He demonstrated that the respect and confidence of the 1st Division were well placed and rightfully earned, and no higher compliment can be paid to any man.”</p>
<p>
<em>(Signed) Clift Andrus</em><br />
<em>Maj. Gen. U.S. Army (Retired)</em></p>
<p>
For his distinguished war service Ed was awarded the Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Commendation Ribbon with Metal Pendant, the Purple Heart for wounds received in action against the enemy, and the Croix de Guerre 1940 avec Palme (Belgium). Pertinent extracts from typical citations follow:</p>
<p>
In the vicinity of Gela, Sicily—”Although his battalion was not entirely on shore and organized for combat, Colonel Bechtold, despite attacking enemy tanks, supervised the placing of his guns, skillfully directed fire upon the advancing tanks, and succeeded in repelling the enemy.”</p>
<p>
In the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy, France—”Despite intense enemy artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire, Colonel Bechtold fearlessly reconnoitered strategic gun positions and guided his battalion across densely mined terrain to the selected positions. Colonel Bechtold’s outstanding courage, initiative, and aggressive leadership facilitated effective artillery support for infantry units and contributed immeasurably to the success of the invasion.”</p>
<p>
In the vicinity of La Sauvagere, Normandy, France—”While engaged on a reconnaissance mission in enemy-held territory subjected to small-arms and mortar fire, Colonel Bechtold courageously proceeded over hazardous terrain to locate an advanced position for his battalion. Coming upon an enemy group, he ingeniously outwitted and captured a number of the foe. Colonel Bechtold’s gallantry and initiative contributed immeasurably to the effectiveness of his organization.”</p>
<p>
In the vicinity of Marigny, Normandy, France—”With complete disregard for personal safety, Colonel Bechtold led a reconnaissance party across densely mined terrain and, while exposed to heavy enemy fire, selected strategic locations for his battalion’s gun emplacements. Colonel Bechtold’s fearless and aggressive action facilitated close artillery support for an infantry task force and contributed immeasurably to capture of a regimental objective.”</p>
<p>
In the European Theater of Operations during period of 16-24 December 1944—”Skillfully maneuvering personnel and weapons into strategic defensive positions during the enemy’s concerted attempts to break through the Butgenbach, Colonel Bechtold fearlessly reconnoitered hazardous terrain and with outstanding professional technique directed effective artillery support of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division. Colonel Bechtold’s unwavering devotion to duty and aggressiveness reflect great credit upon the Army of the United States.”</p>
<p>
In the vicinity of Vicht and Gressenich, Germany— “Sacrificing personal safety to more effectively perform his duties as battalion commander, Colonel Bechtold repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire1 during the 1st U.S. Infantry Division’s advance into Western Germany. Ascertaining, the exact location of targets by personal reconnaissance of hostile territory, he placed batteries in the most advantageous positions and closely supervised the numerous missions fired in support of the infantry. Colonel Bechtold’s professional skill, aggressiveness, and courage reflect great credit upon the Army of the United States.”</p>
<p>
With the end of the war and his graduation from L’Ecole Supferieure de Guerre, Ed demonstrated again the versatility and breadth of character that had marked his entire career. The excellence of his accomplishments in the difficult field of political-military affairs is attested to by his superiors and associates at SHAPE, the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe.</p>
<p>
Brigadier Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, from the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, wrote:</p>
<p>
“It was my privilege to have been associated with Ed Bechtold from the very first days of SHAPE’S existence, until the time of my return to the United States in July 1953.</p>
<p>
“During our service together, Ed proved himself an exceptionally capable officer. It was the task of our staff division to coordinate the national point of view with that of the planning of the integrated staff of SHAPE.</p>
<p>
“In performing the delicate task to which he was assigned, Ed demonstrated marked objectivity, patience, good will, and comprehensive understanding of the different mentalities, backgrounds, and characteristics of representatives of the various nationalities with whom he constantly dealt. Moreover, his broad experience, natural ability and resourcefulness, together with his linguistic accomplishments, enabled him to solve the complicated problems which arose from day to day.</p>
<p>
“He was held in the highest esteem and affection by his associates in Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe, and he contributed importantly towards the forwarding of SHAPE’S mission.</p>
<p>
“Ed’s untimely end came as a real shock to me personally. I have lost a good friend, and the nation a highly representative American who, both in peacetime and in war, served his country with distinction, and whose valuable contribution towards building up Free World collective security reflects favorably upon the Army of the United States, as well as upon his own record.”</p>
<p>
The Supreme Commander, General Alfred M. Gruenther, upon learning of Ed’s death, wrote:</p>
<p>
“Ed Bechtold made a tremendous impression on his many friends at SHAPE.</p>
<p>
I can well remember in December of 1950 receiving a message from the head of our Advance Planning Group in Paris that this remarkably capable officer was already in France. A quick check in the Pentagon confirmed the estimate that he was an outstanding officer, and that he had a feel for solving complicated problems in the field of international relations. As soon as I learned that he was fluent in French, we immediately requested his assignment to our SHAPE Advance Planning Group.</p>
<p>
“When General Eisenhower started his initial tour of the NATO, nations in early 1951, Ed was loaned to General Biddle’s office to organize and administer the delicate task of official relations with the national authorities until the return of the Eisenhower party. From the moment he assumed this assignment there was never any question of his being released for any other position.</p>
<p>
“Ed Bechtold’s contribution to the success of SHAPE during this formative period was a major one. His’ initial construction and refinement of the charter of National Military Representatives to SHAPE resulted in the procurement of the exceptionally high caliber of Allied officers assigned to the SHAPE Staff. Throughout all of his time in SHAPE his work was primarily in the field of human relations, in dealing with persons of many and different characteristics, nationalities and backgrounds, and in furthering the reconciliation of national interest with the heavy requirements of collective security.</p>
<p>
“The news of Colonel Bechtold’s death was a tragic shock to everyone here. His cheerful devotion to the tasks assigned him, his helpful and selfless disposition and his unchallengeable integrity set a high standard for everyone at SHAPE. The great admiration in which he was held by all nations at SHAPE is a present witness to this. I am confident that the memory of his outstanding service to the Free World will remain as an inspiration for all of us.”</p>
<p>
Ed died of cancer at Walter Reed on 22 August 1953, at the age of forty. The country lost a promising military leader. People of good heart the Free World over lost a great friend.</p>
<p>
<em>—George S. Eckhardt, Colonel, USA, Class of 1935</em></p>