Julius Ochs Adler

Julius Ochs Adler (December 3, 1892 – October 3, 1955) was an American publisher, journalist, and highly decorated United States Army officer with the rank of major general. He distinguished himself during World War I as Major and battalion commander in the 306th Infantry Regiment and received Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest decorations of the United States military for valor in combat.

Following the War, he returned to his civilian job as journalist for The New York Times, but retained his reserve commission. Adler was recalled for federal service in 1940 and reached the rank of Brigadier general. He later served as Assistant Division Commander, 6th Infantry Division during New Guinea campaign, but reverted to the inactive status in late 1944. However Adler remained active in the Army Organized Reserve and reached the rank of major general and commander of 77th Infantry Division.

Early career and World War I Julius O. Adler was born on December 3, 1892, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of Harry Clay Adler and Ada Ochs. He graduated from Baylor University School in Chattanooga in 1908 and then entered the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, which he completed in summer 1910. Adler was then admitted to the Princeton University from which he graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in June 1914. Upon his graduation, he joined the staff of The New York Times. Following several months of intensive training, he embarked with the regiment as the part of 77th Division for Western Front in April 1918. Adler was promoted to major and assumed command of the battalion, which he led during the Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne, and Lorraine campaigns.

He participated in the division's desert training in California and embarked with the division to Hawaii in July 1943, some 18 months after America's entry into World War II, for defense of the islands. Adler participated in the coordination of the defense plans of Oahu and received the Bronze Star. The 6th Division then conducted intensive jungle training for the next six months, when it received orders to reinforce allied units in the Southwest Pacific. Adler participated in the New Guinea campaign until June 1944, when he became ill and was shipped to the United States for treatment. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Adler was a Freemason. He was a member of Justice Lodge No 753 of the 6th Manhattan Masonic District in New York City.

Adler was a nephew of publisher Adolph Ochs.

Decorations

Here is Major general Adler's ribbon bar:

Distinguished Service Cross citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Infantry) Julius O. Adler, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, A.E.F., at St. Juvin, France, 14 October 1918. Accompanied by another officer, Major Adler was supervising the work of clearing the enemy from St. Juvin where they suddenly came upon a party of the enemy numbering 150. Firing on the enemy with his pistol, Major Adler ran toward the party, calling on them to surrender. His bravery and good marksmanship resulted in the capture of 50 Germans, and the remainder fled.

Legion of Merit citation The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Julius Ochs Adler, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commanding General, 6th Infantry Division, from September 1941 to September 1943 and from January to June 1944.

Publications History of the Seventy-Seventh Division, August 25th, 1917 – November 11th, 1918 (1919) (ed.) History of the 306th Infantry (1935) (ed.)