Nickname(s) Tubby Name Raymond Barton | Rank Major General Years of service 1912-1946 | |
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Born August 22, 1889
Granada, Colorado ( 1889-08-22 ) Allegiance United States of America Commands held 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment
8th Infantry Regiment
4th Infantry Division Battles/wars World War I
World War II
Battle of Normandy
Drive to the Siegfried Line
Battle of the Bulge
Central Europe Campaign Died February 27, 1963, Augusta, Georgia, United States Education United States Military Academy Awards Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal Battles and wars World War I, World War II, Operation Overlord Similar People Dietrich von Choltitz, Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, Henri Rol‑Tanguy, Jacques Chaban‑Delmas | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Commander of us 4th infantry division major general raymond o barton at the mari hd stock footage
Major General Raymond Oscar "Tubby" Barton (August 22, 1889 – February 27, 1963) was a career officer in the United States Army and combat commander in World War I and World War II. As commander of the 4th Infantry Division during World War II, Barton is one of only eleven U.S. Army general officers who commanded their divisions for the duration of their combat service.
Contents
- Commander of us 4th infantry division major general raymond o barton at the mari hd stock footage
- Background and early career
- World War II
- Death
- Popular culture
- References
Background and early career
He graduated from the United States Military Academy class of 1912. As commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment he served in Germany from 1917 to 1923, being the last formation to leave.
World War II
He commanded the 4th Infantry Division from 3 July 1942 to 26 December 1944 and led them into battle from D-Day at Utah Beach, to the Liberation of Paris, and into the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest before leaving the command due to health problems on December 27, 1944.
During the war he became friends with Ernest Hemingway who sought his favor as the war correspondent assigned to the division and the two corresponded after.
Hemingway wrote to Barton:
During the Battle of Hürtgen Forest on the Weisser Weh stream near Grosshau, Germany General Barton gave up his belt for tourniquet material to medic Russell J. York of his division at York's request. Lives were saved, and a Silver Star was personally awarded to Technician (Medical) 4th Grade York by General Barton for his actions.
Death
Barton died in 1963 and was buried at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia.
Popular culture
In the film The Longest Day he is played by Edmond O'Brien. He appears in a scene where he allows his assistant division commander, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (played by Henry Fonda), to lead the division ashore at D-Day.