George Veazey Strong

George Veazey Strong (March 14, 1880 – January 10, 1946) was a U.S. Army general with the rank of major general, who is most famous for his service as commander of the Military Intelligence Corps during World War II.

Early life

Strong was born on March 14, 1880, in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, United States. His family later moved to Helena, Montana, where he attended Helena High School. Strong then attended the Michigan Military Academy for two years, graduating in 1900. Subsequently, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and was a graduate of Class of 1904, in which many of his classmates also later became famous generals, for example: Joseph Stilwell, Lesley J. McNair, Robert C. Richardson, Jr., Jay Leland Benedict, Innis P. Swift, Henry Conger Pratt, Francis Honeycutt, Charles F. Thompson, Fulton Q. Gardner, George R. Allin, William Bryden, Walter R. Fulton, Pelham D. Glassford, Irving J. Phillipson, Donald C. Cubbison or Thomas M. Robins. While at West Point, he was an award-winning fencer.

Between wars Strong served as a law professor at West Point from 1920 to 1922. He graduated from the United States Army War College in 1924, the advanced course at the United States Army Infantry School in 1929 and the Command and General Staff School in 1931. Strong was promoted to brigadier general on June 1, 1938.

World War II

In 1940, Strong was appointed commander of the Seventh Corps Area and promoted to major general on April 3, 1941, serving in this capacity until May 1941, when he was reassigned to the VIII Corps as its commander. He succeeded Walter Krueger, who was promoted and transferred. He was buried at the West Point Cemetery on January 15, 1946.

For his service during World War II, he was awarded with Oak Leaf Cluster to his Army Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit.

Decorations

Here is Major General Strong's ribbon bar: