Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.
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Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.
Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. (July 18, 1886 - June 18, 1945) was an American general during World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations and commanded the defences of Alaska early in the war. After that assignment, he was promoted to command Tenth Army, the ground formation to command the assault on Okinawa. He was killed during the closing days of the Battle of Okinawa by ricocheting artillery fire. Buckner was the highest ranking American to die during the war.
Earlier in the war, when he had commanded troops in Alaska, his prejudices had been exposed. A southerner and avowed racist, when told he would be commanding black troops, he vehemently opposed it. He said that he feared they would cross breed with the native Alaskans and produce "the ugliest race the world has ever seen."
His father was Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Sr., who famously surrendered to then-brigadier general U. S. Grant at Fort Donelson.
In an interesting irony his commander was General of the Army Douglas MacArthur son of Union General Arthur MacArthur. The fathers had fought against each other now their sons would fight together.
Fort Buckner in Okinawa, Japan is named after him.
External link
- Family Home Page (http://www.thebucknerhome.com)pt:Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.