William Childs Westmoreland Biography

William Childs Westmoreland was a United States Army officer who commanded the military forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He was the chief of staff of the army from 1968 to 1972. Born in an upper middle-class family in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, he became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15. As a young adult, Westmoreland earned the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. After spending a year at The Citadel, South Carolina, he enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, eventually graduating as first captain in 1936. Following his graduation, he served as an artillery officer and was involved in numerous assignments with the 18th Field Artillery at Fort Sill. With the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, Westmoreland served throughout World War II. In 1956, at 42 years old, he became a major general. He was married and had three children. After living with Alzheimer’s disease for over a decade, Westmoreland died In July 2005, at the age of 91.