by Michael E. Lynch
Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2019. Pp. xiv, 408+.
Illus., maps, tables, appends, notes, biblio., index. $60.00. ISBN: 0813177987
The Complexities of Edward M. Almond
Attempting a biography of one of the most controversial officers in American history, is hardly an easy task, but one which Prof. Lynch (Army War College) has carried out quite well. He sets Almond within his times, beginning with the man’s family history, and takes us through his education and his military career, offering insightful looks at the man’s family, personality, professional relationships, and actions as soldier and commander.
We find Almond to have been a man of considerable ability, though rather egocentric and abrasive, an excellent troop trainer and staff officer. But although Almond claimed to believe that “units don’t fail, leaders do”, when his 92nd Infantry Division did badly in Italy – so badly Lynch rightfully suggests Almond should have been relieved – Almond refused to take responsibility, blaming the division’s African-American troops rather than institutional racism in both the Army and the nation, which he clearly shared. Almond’s own racism deepened over time, to the extent that he refused to forward recommendations for decorations, including several for the Medal of Honor which were later discovered, resubmitted and approved.
When the Korean War broke out Almond was on MacArthur’s staff, and proved quite effective at organizing the initial response to the North Korean invasion, although his relations with senior officers of the other services were often abrasive. Given command of X Corps, initially Almond did well. But he ignored the advice of his subordinates, and, worse, like his boss, discounted signs of Chinese intervention. This led to the isolation and near destruction of the corps, but for hard fighting by the 1st Marine Division and other troops.
In Edward M. Almond and the U.S. Army, a volume in the UPK “American Warrior Series”, Lynch covers Almond and his career quite well, giving us the general warts and all, as well as looks at the Army and American society in the first half of the twentieth century.
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Note: Edward M. Almond and the U.S. Army is also available in audio- and e-editions.
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