Charles D. Palmer

General Charles Day Palmer, Jr. (February 20, 1902 – June 7, 1999) was a senior United States Army officer who served as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command from 1959 to 1962. His brother, Williston B. Palmer, was also a four-star general, and his grandfather, William E. Birkhimer, was a general and Medal of Honor recipient.

Charles Day Palmer
Born	(1902-02-20)February 20, 1902 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	June 7, 1999(1999-06-07) (aged 97) Washington, D.C., United States
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1924–1962
Rank	General
Service number	0-15519
Unit	Field Artillery Branch
Commands	Sixth United States Army 1st Cavalry Division
Battles / wars	World War II Korean War
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star Medal
Relations	William E. Birkhimer (grandfather) Williston B. Palmer (brother)
Other work	Military consultant

Early life

Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 20, 1902. After graduating from Washington High School in Washington, D.C., he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1924.

Military career

Charles D. Palmer talking to members of the Women's Army Corps, probably after the Korean War

As the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Palmer, then a major, was in the British West Indies working to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare projects. Palmer went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2nd Armored Division, then commanded by Major General Edward H. Brooks, and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion, the breakout from Saint-Lô, and crossing the Siegfried Line.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower walking with Major General Edward H. Brooks, sometime in 1944. Stood behind Eisenhower is Lieutenant General Omar Bradley while Colonel Charles D. Palmer is behind Brooks.

During Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of southern France in August 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to brigadier general.

Palmer was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted. He was the commander of the division artillery and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns.

Palmer's later posts included Commander, Sixth United States Army in California and Deputy Commander of United States forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962.

Awards and decorations

	Army Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
	Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster
	Legion of Merit
	Distinguished Flying Cross
	Bronze Star Medal
	Air Medal

Post military career

The grave of General Charles Day Palmer, Jr. at Arlington National Cemetery

After retiring from the army, Palmer settled in Washington and worked as a military consultant with the Research Analysis Corporation. He was also a director of both St. Albans School and the Retired Officers Association, and a member of the Army and Navy Club.

Palmer died in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 1999, at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community. He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, next to his brother and wife Eugenia K.

External links

• Generals of World War II
• United States Army Officers 1939–1945