Charles L. Bolte

Charles L. Bolte
General Charles L. Bolte
Service / branch	U.S. Army
Years of service	1916-1955
Rank	General
Commands	69th Infantry Division 34th Infantry Division
Battles / wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Purple Heart

General Charles Lawrence Bolte began his military career in 1916 when he earned a commission in the Army as a second lieutenant. Two years later, he shipped off for France and saw action in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne offensive as a member of the 58th Infantry, 4th Division.

Bolte returned to the United States as a captain in 1919, completed the Infantry Advanced Course at Fort Benning in 1930, and graduated in 1932 from the Command and General Staff School. Bolte completed his education at the Army War College and remained there as an instructor until 1940.

In 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Bolte journeyed to London as head of a group of Army observers and, early in 1942, assumed the position of Chief of Staff of U.S. Forces in the United Kingdom. As a major general, he commanded the 69th Division in 1943 and then, in July 1944, took over the 34th Infantry Division in Italy, guiding it through successful actions, including the drive through the Apennine Mountains and the capture of Bologna. Bolte earned two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart for his exploits.

Bolte served in Washington after the war and in 1953, as a lieutenant general, became Commander in Chief, U.S. Army, Europe. Later that year, General Bolte returned home to serve as Army Vice Chief of Staff under General Matthew B. Ridgway. Bolte retired from active service in 1955. He died February 11, 1989 at Mount Vernon Hospital, Virginia, after a stroke.

This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: [1]