Harry P. Storke

Harry Purnell Storke (8 March 1905 – 4 December 1985) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War II, he served from 1926 to 1961 and attained the rank of lieutenant general. Storke was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal, and his commands included the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 9th Infantry Division, I Corps, and Allied Land Forces South-Eastern Europe. After retiring from the army, Storke served as president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute for eight years.

A native of Baltimore and a 1922 graduate of the McDonogh School, Storke went on to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1926. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery, his initial postings included Artillery units in the US and the Philippines. In the mid to late 1930s, he served as assistant professor of military science for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Iowa State University. From the late 1930s to the start of World War II, he was a member of the West Point faculty. During the war, he served in the Mediterranean theatre as a member of the II Corps staff. After the war, he served in Austria as deputy commander for military government of the Vienna Area Command.

Later military assignments Storke completed included commander of Camp Desert Rock, Nevada during the Desert Rock exercises, commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, and commander of Allied Forces Southern Europe. He retired in 1961, and went on to serve as president of Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1962 to 1969. In retirement, he resided in Williamsburg, Virginia. He died in Richmond, Virginia, on 4 December 1985 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life

Storke was born in Baltimore on 8 March 1905, a son of Richard William Storke and Laura Taylor Storke. He was raised and educated in Baltimore and was a 1922 graduate of the McDonogh School. While at McDonogh, he played football, basketball, baseball, and tennis, in addition to being near the top of his class academically. In March 1922, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point from US Senator Joseph I. France.

Storke attended West Point from 1922 to 1926 and graduated ranked 99th of 152 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery. Among his classmates who also went on to attain general officer rank were William P. Ennis and Donald Prentice Booth. Among his prominent classmates who did not become generals was John S. Roosma. After graduating he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was then assigned to the 24th Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippines, where served until June 1934. From June 1941 to June 1942 he was secretary of West Point's Association of Graduates, and he was the first editor of Assembly magazine. Storke was promoted to temporary major in January 1941, temporary lieutenant colonel in February 1942, and permanent major in June 1943. He subsequently commanded the 1st Infantry Division Artillery in West Germany. From 1957 to 1959, he served as the army's Chief of Information. His WPI leadership was marked by efforts to modernize its curriculum. He died at the Richmond VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, on 4 December 1985. In 1965, he received an honorary D.Litt. degree from the College of the Holy Cross. Also in 1965, Storke received an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. In 1965, he was made an honorary member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity.

Army Distinguished Service Medal citation Lieutenant General Harry P. Storke distinguished himself by eminently meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding to the Government in successive positions of great responsibility during the period July 1953 to August 1961. From July 1953 to August 1960, General Storke served consecutively as Commanding general, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, United States Army Europe; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, Headquarters, United States Army Europe; Commanding General, 9th Infantry Division and, concurrently, Commanding General, Fort Carson, Colorado; Chief of Public Information, Office of the Secretary of the Army and concurrently, Chief of Information, Office of the Chief of Staff; and as Commanding General I Corps (Group) in Korea. In each of these key command and staff assignments, General Storke's dynamic leadership, superior professional competence, and thorough knowledge of military tactics, strategy, and administration immeasurably enhanced the overall successful accomplishment of important objectives of vital military, national and international significance. The mature judgment, resourceful leadership and dedicated devotion to duty which he constantly displayed resulted in the prompt and effective resolution of diversified and complex operational problem areas, and made valuable contributions to the development of improved policies to meet the rapid change and advancement of modern military doctrine and technology in the national defense effort. General Storke culminated his brilliant career as Commanding General of the United States Army Element, and concurrently as Commander of Allied land Forces, Southeastern Europe. His skillful diplomacy, imaginative perception and unselfish application to duty insured the smooth and orderly conduct of all activities within the scope of his responsibility, and his staunch determination gained increased stability and materially strengthened the posture of that international command during a period of accentuated global tension. The warm spirit of friendly cooperation and deep sense of responsibility which he manifested consistently gained optimal results, and earned the high regard and admiration of all associated with him. General Storke's distinguished performance of duty throughout this period represents outstanding achievement in the most cherished traditions of the United States Army, and reflects distinct credit upon himself and the military service.

Date: 31 August 1961 Period: July 1953 to August 1961 Organization: Headquarters, Department of the Army

Works by

Dates of rank Second Lieutenant, 12 June 1926 Major General, 10 November 1954 Lieutenant General, 26 January 1960 Lieutenant General (Retired), 31 August 1961