Artifact of the Month
Image of General William E. DePuy.
General William E. DePuy.
General William E. DePuy Field Jacket.
General William E. DePuy.
This field jacket was worn by General William E. DePuy while serving as the first Commanding General of the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from 1973-1976. The early style and manufacture date of this field jacket and its worn condition suggests it was used by him throughout several years of his later career. The M1951 field jacket remained popular for wear by Soldiers after the introduction of the M65, because the M1951 was much neater in appearance and could be starched.
William E. DePuy was born and raised in North Dakota. He moved with his family to South Dakota where he joined the National Guard and became a squad leader. Following graduation from South Dakota State, he accepted an ROTC commission in the Infantry. Starting off as a Second Lieutenant he rose to become a battalion commander while serving in Europe during World War II.
Upon his return from Europe in 1945, LTC DePuy applied for and was accepted into the Regular Army. He continued his military service and eventually rose to the rank of Brigadier General in 1962. In May 1964, was assigned as Operations chief for the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). Promoted to Major General, he was given command of the 1st Infantry Division. DePuy eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant General.
In the early 1970s, Lieutenant General DePuy led the charge to streamline the Continental Army which brought about the formation of TRADOC and Forces Command (FORSCOM). Promoted to General, William E. DePuy, moved to Fort Monroe, VA, and became the first Commanding General of TRADOC in July 1973. Among the changes he implemented as commander of TRADOC were improvements in individual training, better support for training units, new training doctrine and a new emphasis and direction for combat development activities. William DePuy retired from the Army in 1977.