John P. Lucas

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John P. Lucas bigraphy, stories - United States Army general

John P. Lucas : biography

January 14, 1890 – December 24, 1949

John Porter Lucas (January 14, 1890—December 24, 1949) was an American Major General and one of the commanders of VI Corps (September 1943-February 1944) during the Italian Campaign of the Mediterranean Theater of World War II.

World War II

In September 1941, Lucas was assigned as the commander, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he conducted amphibious operations in the Puget Sound. He was next assigned as the Commander, III Corps, Fort McPherson, Georgia (April 1942-May 1943). In the Spring of 1943, Lucas was sent overseas as a deputy to Eisenhower, and briefly took command of II Corps (9–19 September 1943). On 20 September 1943, Lucas was given command of VI Corps, taking over from Major General Ernest J. Dawley. On January 22, 1944, from the deck of the cruiser USS Biscayne, Lucas was relieved of command after Operation Shingle, the amphibious landing at Anzio. Lucas was highly critical of the plans for the Anzio battle, believing his force was not strong enough to accomplish its mission. His confidence was not reinforced when the mission was scaled back by last-minute orders and advice from his commander, Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, who told him not to "stick his neck out". After nine days of preparation to reenforce his position and four weeks of extremely tough fighting, Lucas was relieved by Clark and replaced with Major General Lucian K. Truscott as the commander of VI Corps at Anzio. Lucas spent three weeks as Clark’s deputy at Fifth Army headquarters before returning to the United States.

Awards and decorations

Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal with Oak leaf Cluster
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Mexican Service Medal
number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} World War I Victory Medal with one service clasp
World War II Victory Medal
number=8|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=60}} European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver and three campaign stars
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
Grand Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Cloud and Banner

Dates of Rank

2nd Lieutenant (Regular Army) (RA) – June 13, 1911 1st Lieutenant (RA) – July 1, 1916 Captain (RA) – May 15, 1917 Major (Temporary) – January 15, 1918 Lieutenant Colonel (Temporary) – October 30, 1918 Captain (RA) – January 20, 1920 Major (RA) – July 1, 1920 Lieutenant Colonel (RA) – August 1, 1935 Colonel (RA) – May 2, 1940 Brigadier General (Army of the United States) (AUS) – October 1, 1940 Major General (AUS) – August 5, 1941 Major General (RA) – January 24, 1948

Miscellany

John Porter Lucas was a Freemason, having been entered (20 February 1919), passed (6 March 1919), and raised (10 March 1919) in the Elk Branch Lodge No. 93, Shenandoah Junction, WV. He is also believed to have been a member of the York Rite, attaining the degree of Knight Templar.Denslow, William R. 10,000 Famous Freemasons, Vol. II, K-Z. According to his obituary in the October, 1950 issue of the Assembly, he had served as a Past Master of a Lodge of Freemasons in Fort Collins, CO.

Early career

Lucas, a native of Kearneysville, Jefferson County, West Virginia, was a graduate of West Point, class of 1911. Commissioned as a Cavalry officer on 13 June 1911, he would branch-transfer to the Field Artillery in 1920. Lucas spent the first few years of his commissioned service in the Philippines, returning to the US in August 1914. Lucas was stationed at Columbus, New Mexico, where he served as the commander of the Machine Gun Troop of the 13th Cavalry Regiment. On 9 March 1916 he distinguished himself in action against Pancho Villa’s raiders during the Battle of Columbus. He served during the Mexican Punitive Expedition, as an Aide de Camp to MG George Bell, Jr. at Fort Bliss, Texas.