United States Army General. Born in Indianapolis Indiana, he began his military career as a Private in the the Indiana National Guard. Commissioned into US Army as an Infantry Reserve Officer in 1917, he served in France with the 4th Division in World War I. Prior to World War II, he attended Butler University, the Army Command and General Staff School, and the Army War College. In 1941, he was appointed as Secretary of the General Staff by General George C. Marshall. In February 1942, Smith was named U.S. Secretary of the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Later that same year, armed with the rank of Brigadier General, Marshall sent him to England to serve as General Dwight Eisenhower's Chief of Staff. Because of Smith's tough demeanor and direct language, Eisenhower often relied on him to be his "hatchet man." Beetle handled disciplinary actions in the field and later presided at the formal surrender ceremonies of Italy and Germany. After World War II, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1946-1949), Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1950-1953), and served as Under Secretary of State (1953-1954). He attained the rank of 4 Star General before retiring from the Army in 1953. Eisenhower labeled him as "The greatest general manager of the World War II."
United States Army General. Born in Indianapolis Indiana, he began his military career as a Private in the the Indiana National Guard. Commissioned into US Army as an Infantry Reserve Officer in 1917, he served in France with the 4th Division in World War I. Prior to World War II, he attended Butler University, the Army Command and General Staff School, and the Army War College. In 1941, he was appointed as Secretary of the General Staff by General George C. Marshall. In February 1942, Smith was named U.S. Secretary of the Combined Chiefs of Staff. Later that same year, armed with the rank of Brigadier General, Marshall sent him to England to serve as General Dwight Eisenhower's Chief of Staff. Because of Smith's tough demeanor and direct language, Eisenhower often relied on him to be his "hatchet man." Beetle handled disciplinary actions in the field and later presided at the formal surrender ceremonies of Italy and Germany. After World War II, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1946-1949), Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1950-1953), and served as Under Secretary of State (1953-1954). He attained the rank of 4 Star General before retiring from the Army in 1953. Eisenhower labeled him as "The greatest general manager of the World War II."
Bio by: RCB
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