Changing an Army

The U.S. Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks originally published General William E. DePuy's oral history as a convincing example of this relatively new technique in the historian's arsenal. It soon became apparent, however, that the audience recognized in this interview a larger, more enduring value and utility. Here was an Army leader, a fighter, trainer, and thinker, imparting his wisdom and experience to the officer and NCO corps in his own words. The overwhelming...
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The U.S. Army Military History Institute at Carlisle Barracks originally published General William E. DePuy's oral history as a convincing example of this relatively new technique in the historian's arsenal. It soon became apparent, however, that the audience recognized in this interview a larger, more enduring value and utility. Here was an Army leader, a fighter, trainer, and thinker, imparting his wisdom and experience to the officer and NCO corps in his own words. The overwhelming demand from the Army's senior leaders and its school system for copies of the DePuy oral history quickly exhausted the original printing. It gives me great pleasure to publish the first Center of Military History edition of this important document. The DePuy interview easily fulfilled the Military History Institute's criteria for oral history publications. It concerned a figure immediately recognizable to a large number of Army officers, one who had made a major impact on the development of the Army since World War II, and one whose career had spanned a period of significant change within the service. While these considerations remain valid , it seems to me that another element has emerged during the two years that Army leaders have read and discussed the DePuy oral history. Simply put, General DePuy's career demonstrates that one man can make a huge difference in our Army. General DePuy was commissioned from RDTC in 1941 and joined the 20th Infantry in time for the famous Louisiana Maneuvers. Subsequently assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, he trained and prepared with the division for its role in the liberation of Europe. In particular, the division's fight through the hedgerows of Normandy in June and July 1944 provided then Captain DePuy with a profound lesson. He saw soldiers suffer and die because of poor leadership or in sufficient training. As a consequence he dedicated himself to the goal of leader development. His subsequent military career bore eloquent testimony to this dedication. Service on the postwar Army Staff involved him in decisions that dramatically affected training, doctrine, force-structure, and policy development. Later service in Vietnam allowed him to apply his years of planning and training in a combat situation. Finally, his assignment as the first commander of TRADOC gave him the opportunity to directly transform the Army in the post-Vietnam era. It takes brains, hard work, dedication, and probably a bit of luck for one man to directly influence a great military institution. DePuy blended these ingredients to the fullest, and in doing so left us a profoundly important legacy.