[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3421-S3422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING GENERAL MATTHEW BUNKER RIDGWAY

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, when GEN Matthew Bunker Ridgway 
passed away on July 26, 1993, he was one of the most decorated soldiers 
in the U.S. Armed Forces. Members of his family, including some of my 
constituents from Columbia, MO, gather each year. This year, they will 
honor General Ridgway's leadership, character, and courage as they 
celebrate the 60th anniversary of his command as Supreme Commander of 
the United Nations forces in Korea and Supreme Commander of the U.S. 
Far East Command during the Korean war.
  General Ridgway was born on March 3, 1895, in Fort Monroe, VA, to COL 
Thomas Ridgway and Mrs. Ruth Ridgway. He went to high school in Boston, 
MA, and afterward planned to follow in his father's footsteps at West 
Point. Young Matthew failed the math portion of his entrance exam but 
was not deterred. He studied harder for his second attempt, passed, and 
graduated from West Point. In 1917 he was commissioned as second 
lieutenant. After the disappointment of not being sent into combat 
during World War I, Lieutenant Ridgway said, ``The soldier who has had 
no share in this last great victory of good over evil would be 
ruined.'' After serving on various generals' staffs and commanding the 
15th Infantry in Tientsin, China, General Ridgway would get his chance 
to fight.
  In August 1942, General Ridgway succeeded Omar Bradley when he was 
given command of the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd was chosen as one 
of the Army's five new airborne divisions. The conversion of an entire 
infantry division to airborne status was an unprecedented and daunting 
task which Ridgway successfully accomplished. In 1944, General Ridgway 
helped plan the airborne operations of Operation Overlord, the Allied 
invasion of Europe. In Normandy, he courageously jumped with his 
troops, who fought bravely for 33 days in advancing to Saint-Sauveur-
le-Vicomte near Cherbourg, France.
  In 1950, as the Korean war raged, General Ridgway was given command 
of the 8th Army. When Ridgway assumed command the 8th Army was in 
tactical retreat and suffering from low morale. After a successful 
reorganization of command structure and service at the front lines, 
General Ridgway had repaired morale among his soldiers. Ridgway shifted 
tactics and, relying heavily on coordinated artillery, went on the 
offensive, helping slow and later stop the Chinese at the battles of 
Chipyong-ni and Wonju. When General MacArthur was relieved of command 
in 1951, General Ridgway took the helm as Supreme Commander of U.N. 
forces in Korea and Supreme Commander of the U.S. Far East Command. 
Over the next year, Ridgway was responsible for conduct of the Korean 
war. He also followed General MacArthur as military governor of Japan, 
where he oversaw the restoration of Japan's Independence and 
sovereignty. In 1952, he replaced GEN Dwight D. Eisenhower as the 
Supreme Allied Commander for the North Atlantic Trade Organization, 
where he was credited for improvements through command structure, 
forces, facilities, and training. For his last assignment, General 
Ridgway served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1953 until his 
retirement in 1955.
  In retirement, General Ridgway would serve on boards, write, speak to 
groups, and advise other leaders, including President Lyndon B. 
Johnson. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan awarded General Ridgway the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  GEN Matthew Bunker Ridgway passed away at his home outside Pittsburgh 
at the age of 98, on July 26, 1993. He was buried at Arlington National 
Cemetery, and during his eulogy Colin Powell said: ``No soldier ever 
upheld his honor better than this man. No soldier ever loved his 
country more than

[[Page S3422]]

this man did. Every American soldier owes a debt to this great 
man.''

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