Truscott, Lucian King Jr., born 09-01-1895 in Chatfield, Texas,
to an English father, Dr. Lucian King Truscott (1861–1922) and an Irish mother, Maria Temple (Tully) Truscott (1866–1938). Raised primarily in Oklahoma, he attended grade school and a year of high school in the hamlet of Stella, near Norman. At age 16, he claimed to be 18 and a high school graduate to qualify for teacher training, attended the summer term of the state normal school in Norman, and received his teaching certification. He taught school and worked as a school principal before he decided to join the United States Army in 1917. After officer training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of cavalry and served in various cavalry and staff assignments between World War I and World War II. In 1942, then-Colonel Truscott was instrumental in developing an American commando unit patterned after the British Commando units. The American unit was activated by newly promoted Brigadier General Truscott on 19-06-1942 as the 1st Ranger Battalion and placed under the command of William Orlando Darby





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The 3rd Infantry Division suffered the highest casualty rate of any American Division in World War II. Its exploits are aptly illustrated by its Medal of Honor recipient Audie Murphy










He led battalions, regiments, divisions, corps and armies in combat, interspersed with staff duties where he mixed with the Allies highest commanders (a useful addition that few other generals came close to), and observed his seniors mistakes. Virtually no other major American commander had half the practice and experience he did. In fact, as an all round performer, Lucian Truscott (Jr) was certainly one of the top ten Generals on the Allied side, and possibly the best American General of the war.
Death and burial ground of Truscott, Lucian King Jr..







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