Command failures

Army,  Mar 2003  by Ossad, Steven L

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Arriving in London a month before the invasion, Fredendall immediately called on his commander. The next day Eisenhower reciprocated and invited-tantamount to an order-the newly arrived officer to dinner. Rather than graciously accepting immediately, Fredendall responded that he had already made plans, which he would, of course, be happy to change. Eisenhower backed off but certainly took note of the modest insult. It was rude at the very least. It might have been a signal from the technically more senior officer that he was not intimidated by his junior, whatever his temporary grade. In fact, in the hierarchically conscious Regular Army, Fredendall's rank and dates of promotion made him senior to many of his soon to be famous colleagues-both subordinates and superiors.

Eisenhower, who, regardless of his outwardly pleasant and unflappable demeanor, never forgot a slight, was soon placated. Fredendall performed well, or at least so it appeared, taking his Torch objectives within three days, and his Distinguished Service Medal citation spoke of his "exceptionally meritorious service, brilliant leadership and resolute force" and his demonstration of "the highest qualities of leadership." Even in this victory, however, there were troubling indications of a questionable style of command. For one thing, Fredendall never left his command ship during the fighting, disembarking only for consultations on the armistice. In spite of that, he gained a reputation as a forceful leader and a winner. America, and the US. Army in particular, needed heroes; and exaggeration was the order of the day. Eisenhower was not about to allow personal resentments interfere with his goal of burnishing the reputation of his command, especially with the British. On November 12, 1942, right after the armistice, he cabled Marshall, "I bless the day you urged Fredendall upon me and cheerfully acknowledge that my earlier doubts of him were completely unfounded."

Copyright Association of the United States Army Mar 2003
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