Ferdinand Thomas Unger

Ferdinand Thomas Unger (October 28, 1914 – January 31, 1999) was a United States Army Lieutenant General, High Commissioner of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands, and governor of the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Northwest Washington D.C.

Early life

Unger was born in Pittsburgh and briefly attended the University of Pittsburgh. He then transferred to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1937.

During World War II Unger commanded a field artillery battalion in Europe. After the war he served as commanding general of infantry divisions in Germany and Korea. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Unger served as operations director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

High Commissioner of the Ryukyu Islands

From November 1966 to January 1968 Unger served as High Commissioner of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands and commanding general of the IX Corps. During this time he became the first High Commissioner to begin the process of granting more power to the people of the Ryukyu Islands.

His honors included two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.