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In the depths of sadness the family and friends of <em>Charles Wolcott Ryde</em>r laid him to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on August 24, 1960. As the bugle sounded the dolorous notes of “Taps”, the bidding of farewell wrung the hearts of the large concourse who had come to pay their last tribute to the memory of a loving husband and father, and an esteemed friend.</div>
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As we stood here paying silent homage to him who had found a “soldier’s resting place,” our thoughts drifted back to the days when he, a tall, slender youth, plodded up the famous hill to the Administration building at West Point along with other eager and ambitious young men soon to become the New Cadets of the Class of 1915. He was the appointee of Senator Charles Curtis, who had high hopes in this recent graduate from the Topeka, Kansas, High School, and the son of his friends, Dr. and Mrs. Louis A. Ryder. “Doc”, as he was soon dubbed by his classmates, was possessed with a determination to make his family proud of him as he was thus launched on a military careei and given the opportunity of being a West Pointer. As a cadet “Doc” was studious, conscientious, and meticulous in all things, a perfectionist, if you will. He was friendly and amiable, and most considerate of his fellow man, but firm in support of his convictions. He was not a self-seeker for personal honors or gain at the expense of others, and he did his duty as he saw it, letting the chips fall where they would. These were some of the attributes which made him honored and respected by all throughout his life of action and accomplishments.</div>
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While a yearling, Cadet Ryder developed a warm interest in a young lady, Miss Ida Quinby Perrine. This romance culminated in their marriage eight months after his graduation. Together they shared the vicissitudes of life—the joys and the successes, the sorrows and disappointments—as “Doc” pursued the interesting and varied military career which both of them enjoyed to the fullest. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Louise R. King and Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Ryder, Jr., who, together with the wife and mother, and five grandchildren, survive their beloved and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.</div>
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“Doc” Ryder graduated from the Military Academy with commendably high class standing, and he elected to be commissioned in the Infantry. Before World War I he served at various posts and camps with the 30th Infantry, the 37th Infantry, and the 16th Infantry, successively. As a captain with the latter regiment he was sent overseas in 1917 as a member of the famous 1st Division and participated in all its operations, gaining renown as one of the outstanding combat soldiers in the American Expeditionary Forces. He demonstrated, time and again, his intrepidity, his courage, his daring, and his leadership, which led to his promotion to major and then to lieutenant colonel—one of the few of his West Point class who reached this latter rank in World War I. His laurels were many. Twice he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in frontline action in the face of deadly fire of the enemy, and again he was awarded the Silver Star Medal for courageous acts while leading his troops. All this was not without suffering wounds, for which he was authorized to wear the medal of the Order of the Purple Heart. He fully recovered except for a sliver of steel that he carried in his heart to his dying day. In the closing days of the war he performed a bold exploit that added to his fame as a brilliant soldier when he led the vanguard of his regiment on a night march through the German lines to the heights overlooking Sedan. He was recognized by the French Republic for these deeds of valor by being awarded several high decorations, namely, the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, the Croix de Guerre with Palm, and the Fouragerre of the Croix de Guerre.</div>
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Between World Wars I and II “Doc” served in a variety of staff and school assignments, and, as was characteristic of him, he loyally put his heart and soul into his tasks. His services as an instructor were always in demand at Army Service Schools because of his ability and his experience. He was selected as a member of the Department of Tactics at West Point; he was detailed as an instructor at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia; and just before the beginning of World War II he completed a tour of duty in the important post of Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy. During this period he was also a student at the Army’s principal schools for officers preparing themselves for high command and staff duty: first, he graduated from the Advanced Course at the Infantry School; next, he was a “distinguished” graduate of the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and, lastly, he attended the senior school of the Army, the War College, in Washington, from which he graduated with distinction. He had several assignments in high staff positions, among which Were the Operations Division of the 1st Division, and the Intelligence Division of the War Department General Staff. His foreign service was spent in Tientsin, China, where he was on duty with troops, the 15th Infantry. During this quarter of a century while he was performing these manifold important duties, “Doc” and Ida Ryder made many fast friends who considered themselves fortunate to count the Ryders as their associates.</div>
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All of these tasks in time of peace aided in preparing him for the situation that lay ahead when World War II was suddenly thrust upon us. He was transferred to the post of Chief of Staff of the VI Corps where he served for a brief period, then he was promoted to be the Assistant Division Commander of the 90th Division. When a vacancy occurred in the office of Commanding General of the 34th Division (Minnesota National Guard), “Doc” Ryder was promoted to Major General and given the command. The Division was at that time in training in Ireland, preparing for service in the invasion of North Africa scheduled for July, 1942. History repeated itself for Major General Ryder as he found himself with the first contingent to do battle in the West, just as he was with the first troops in battle in the A.E.F., in World War I. In the landing in Africa he was in command of a combined force of American and British units, numbering about 40,000 that fought its way to the capture of Algiers. He next conducted operations with his Division in Tunisia, fighting in an intense campaign that ended with the defeat of the Axis powers in Africa. Still in command of the 34th Division, General Ryder next made history in Italy as he led his troops forward from the landing in Salerno in September, 1943, to the virtual ending of the campaign in Northern Italy. His Division was in front-line action almost continuously as it captured Benevento, moved to the Voltumo River to make three forced crossings, then cleared the way to Cassino and assisted in breaking the Axis line at that critical point. The Anzio Beachhead was relieved as the Division progressed northward to fight its way into Rome; then came the battles foi Northern Italy, and eventually the capture of Leghorn.</div>
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In these campaigns in Northern Africa and through Italy, extending over a period of almost two years, there were many hardships for the troops in which the Commanding General shared. His responsibilities were great and his worries many. Many difficulties and disappointments had to be surmounted, and crises had to be resolved, such as the transfer elsewhere ot elements of his command when they were badly needed, and the frequent shortages of adequate armament. General Ryder wasted no time in the placing of blame for the conditions imposed upon him as the commander of his Division, but he accepted the situations with a cool and collected response, “We go on from here.” The long months in Italy were also trying, especially in the winter months when the combat was in rugged, mountainous country, heavy with snow and deep in mud. These circumstances would nave demoralized and defeated any but a stout-hearted man, and such a man was “Doc” Ryder.</div>
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One who was serving with him and was intimately associated with him in these ordeals, has this to say of General Ryder: “He lived simply and austerely, asking no favors and demanding no special considerations. He placed his assignments above all else, many times to the detriment of his own well-being. He never raised his voice above its normal conversational tone, but there was never any doubt as to his intentions or requirements. He readily accepted responsibility for the actions of his subordinates and as quickly gave them credit for their accomplishments. In combat he was seen daily among the attacking echelons of his command. His tall, angular figure was well-known and quickly recognized. He was admired, respected, and revered by all. He was truly a soldier’s general.”</div>
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For his service in Africa and Italy he was rewarded with many decorations: by the United States, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star Medal; by Great Britain, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath; by France, Officer of the Legion of Honor; and a second Croix de Guerre with Palm; by Italy, the Medal of Valor, and Commander of the Order of St. Maurice and Lazarus; by Ecuador, the Star of Abdon Calderon.</div>
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At Leghorn, Italy, General Ryder received orders to proceed to General Mac-Arthur’s Theatre of Operations in the Far East, where he was at once given command of the IX Corps. In Leyte, Philippine Islands, he set to work at planning for the participation of his Corps in the imminent invasion of Japan, but, with the arrival of VJ Day, plans were changed at once to the Occupation of Japan. Ryder’s IX Corps was assigned the two northernmost prefectures of Japan—the Island of Hokkaido and Aomori—and landings were made in September, 1945. Here the little heralded, but most important duties of administration were pursued under his able guidance. As the Occupation wore on, the territorial responsibilities of the IX Corps increased in scope to include all of Northern Japan. General Ryder was also in command of the Eighth Army with headquarters in Yokahama for a time. For his services in the Far East he was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Legion of Merit, and the Commendation Ribbon with Pendant.</div>
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In November, 1948, the Ryders returned to the United States where “Doc”, as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff for Civilian Components, terminated his long and distinguished service to his country. In 1950 he retired from the Army and he and his beloved wife settled in the Ryder home at Vineyard Haven, Mass., in the Cape Cod area where his ancestors were pioneers. Here they lived a happy and carefree life, following their hobbies and visiting with their children and grandchildren, until “Doc” was suddenly stricken by a heart attack which resulted in his passing to the Great Unknown.</div>
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“Doc” Ryder was a man of integrity and nobility of character. He was kindhearted, humble but proud, resolute, and always honorable. He was a great American and a dedicated patriot, one who made valuable contributions to the welfare of his country. When his military skill was needed he responded with vigor and determination. As a soldier, he was esteemed and respected by his subordinates and held in highest regard by his superiors. He was outstanding in his generation of many brave leaders in the Army, and his name belongs alongside the great commanders of his Alma Mater.</div>
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Of him we may truly say: “Well done! Be thou at peace.”</div>
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<em>-P. J. M.</em></div>