Palmer, Charles Day Jr.

Palmer, Charles Day Jr., born 20-02-1902 in Chicago, Illinois, the second son of Colonel Charles Day Palmer (1865–1940) and his wife Edith B, born Birkhimer, Palmer (1878–1903). Charles had one sister and one brothers: Williston Birkheimer Palmer(1899–1973) and Diana Spencer Palmer Coleman (1908–1988). His brother Williston was a US General and commander of the U.S. 4* Army and  Commander VII Artillery Corps in Normandy.

Charles graduating from Washington High School in Washington, D C, he entered the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1924. As the United States entered World War II, then-Major Palmer was in the British West Indies working to establish military bases and on anti-submarine warfare projects.

Palmer, here with Ike Eisenhower.  went to Europe in 1944 as chief of staff of the 2^nd Armored Division “Hell on Wheels” , and continued in that role during the Normandy invasion , the breakout from Saint-Lô, and crossing the Siegfreid Line. During the invasion of southern France in October 1944, he was chief of staff of the VI Corps, former commander Edward Hale “Ted” Brooks, and during this time he received a battlefield promotion to Brigadier General. Palmer was with the  in Japan on occupation duty when the Korean War erupted.  The total losses of  the 1^st Cavalry Division  during WW II are 734 killed in action, 3.311 wounded in action and 236 died of wounds.. Palmer was the commander of the division artillery commander and later the division commander, participating in six campaigns. His later posts included Commander, Sixth United States Army, nickname “Aloma Force” in California and Deputy Commander of U.S. forces in Europe. After serving as Deputy Commander in Chief, United States European Command, he retired in 1962. After retiring from the Army, Palmer settled in Washington and worked as a military consultant with the Research Analysis Corporation. He was also a director of both St. Albans School and the Retired Officers Association, and a member of the Army and Navy Club. Palmer died in Washington D.C. on 07-06-1999 at the age of 97 of cardiac arrest in his home in Knollwood, a military retirement community.

Death and burial ground of Palmer, Charles Day Jr.

He was survived by Eugenia Kingman Palmer, whom he married in 1954, and a son. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 1, next to his brother Willistone and their mother. Major General, Commander Air Force, Follet Bill Bradley. In Section 1, General, Commander VII Artillery Corps Normandy,  Willistone Palmer, General, Chief of Staff of the 2^nd Armoured Division, Charles Palmer and General, Commander 6^th Army Group, Jacob Devers, Major General, Commander Twelfth Armoured Division, Roderick Allen