It is exceedingly difficult to describe the totality of George Gray O'Connor: warm friend, devoted husband and father, outstanding member of the Profession of Arms. Memories flood in of the shared trials and joys of Cadet days; of soldiering and frolicking together, first at Sill and then a succession of other assignments; of associations on the field of battle in two conflicts; of common focus on national cares in Washington, Korea and Europe. There are other memories, more personal and poignant, of lazy conversation around a flickering campfire beside a trout stream, of glorious autumn days afield after game, of watching his family grow. And there is the collective Class memory of the O'Connor career unfolding—George Gray O’Connor as we were sure it must for one so personable, so capable, so utterly admirable.
G.G., Irish or Okey—as he was variously known through the years—was born in Pasadena, California, on 25 August 1914. After two years at the University of California, he enlisted in the Regular Army in 1933 with his eyes on West Point. A year later, winner of an Army competitive appointment, he entered the sally port of Central Barracks with 400 plus hopefuls of the Class of 1938.
The special qualities and potential of G.G. were evident from the outset of our Cadetship. A natural leader, he was consistently at the very top in military aptitude; the record will show that, as the senior Cadet Battalion Commander, he was but one step away from the First Captain. Earning stars in Plebe year and always high in academic standing, he found time to lead a well-balanced life. Football claimed much of his energies for all four years; and what we best remember is that he held down a fullback slot on the "A" squad by dint of the drive and determination that were so characteristic of the man. He also worked his way up to become manager of the basketball team and was a fierce competitor at handball. All-around excellence in things military, scholastic and athletic gained and held our respect. Still other qualities claimed our affection; these are best synthesized in a terse notation in the HOWITZER, “His sense of humor is great but at times he stoops to dropping water bags on unsuspecting CCQs."
At first opportunity—as Yearlings—we chose G.G. to be our President; and in First Class Year, we repeated the process. The. latter event constituted the real mark of our lasting esteem for we thereupon entrusted him with permanent leadership of the Class of 1938.
One report has it that during his precommissioning physical a slight myopic astigmatism was detected. Though in no wise disqualifying, G.G. protested loudly that his eyesight was in fact perfect. Given the illustrious career he was to forge, one must conclude that this was the only time his vision and foresight were ever to be challenged.
Commissioned in the Field Artillery and married the same summer to Hope Brown, his initial duty was with the 1st Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill. In four years there, holding a variety of troop and school assignments, he mastered the fundamentals of his profession. He also established his reputation; his file for the period contains such comments as "brilliant...most resourceful...worked diligently to excel...best young officer ever observed...In the summer of 1942, G.G. proceeded to Fort Leonard Wood and assumed command of a battery of the 53d Field Artillery Battalion, organic to the 6th Infantry Division. He was destined to serve the entirety of World War II with the artillery of that great Division.
G.G. was Battalion S3 when the Division deployed to the Pacific in early 1943. Later in the year he assumed command of the 53d and led it through the campaigns in New Guinea and the Philippines. In the former, at the Battle of Lone Tree Hill, he won the Bronze Star; and in the latter, the rating of “one of the best troop leaders ever known.” There is no better example of G.G.’s perfomance in battle than the action at Munoz (in Luzon) which earned him his first Silver Star. In that fight, he deployed and personally directed the fire of his howitzers to repel a Japanese tank attack. Under heavy fire, he rallied and reorganized the survivors of a crew whose piece had received a direct hit. The combination of professional competence and personal valor was duly recognized. By the time the 6th Division had cracked the Shimbu Line in Northern Luzon, G.G. had been advanced to the rank of full colonel and named Division Artillery Commander. He served in this general officer billet not only for the balance of the war but also for several months of the Division’s occupational mission in Korea.
Tapped for duty at the Military Academy, G.G. departed Korea and joined the star cast of the Department of Tactics in mid-1946. His considerable talents were most needed in updating the physical education component of the curriculum and for the ensuing four years he served successively as S3 and Executive of the Office of Physical Education. Upon graduation from the Command and General Staff College in 1951, he was assigned as Chief, War History Division, Office Chief of Military History. During his tenure, the scope and organization of the comprehensive history of the United States Army in World War II were hammered out and the research plan formulated for chronicling the Korean conflict, then in progress. While there, he was selected to attend the Army War College. The 1954-55 school year was a banner one for ’38ers; and G.G. and Hope rubbed shoulders at Carlisle Barracks with more classmates than at any other period in the O’Connor career. Following graduation, he proceeded to Orleans, France, to become Chief of Staff of the Communications Zone, United States Army Europe and subsequently Commander of the 36th Field Artillery Group in Germany.
It was time now for this well-rounded and seasoned performer to assume key responsibilities on the Army General Staff. His first such duty was in the demanding and prestigious post of Chief, War Plans Division. Thereafter, he moved up to become the Deputy Director for Strategic Planning. Two years’ experience in these capacities established his credentials for the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and he became Executive Officer of the Plans Directorate, Joint Staff in 1960. These were turbulent, pressure-packed years for an officer in an important planning capacity. Yet G.G. somehow marshalled the reserve of energy to pursue and cam a Master’s Degree in International Relations from George Washington University. He returned to Korea in 1962 as Deputy Chief of Staff, United Nations Command, United States Forces. His tremendous competence, consistently noted in efficiency reports, was soon recognized in other quarters. The American Ambassador went to some length to praise and commend G.G.'s significant contributions as an original member of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Negotiating Team. The Army, too, finally recognized his great potential and advanced him to the grade of brigadier general.
In September 1964—nineteen years after he had first occupied a general officer position—G.G. joined the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis. Within a few months, it had become clear that the Fighting Fourth would ultimately enter combat in Vietnam. G.G. had the tough task of molding the Division’s combat support and service support units, containing 5,000 inductees, into an effective, responsive team. The battle performance of the Division attests to how well he accomplished that task. He was with the Division when it deployed to Vietnam in late 1966 and over the next eight months was successively Assistant Division Commander of the 4th, 25th and 9th Divisions. As Assistant Division Commander of the 9th, he had the challenge of structuring and training a brigade force for riverine warfare and superintending its deployment to the Vietnamese Delta for independent operations. Upon his promotion to major general, he assumed command of the 9th Division and led it in combat for eight months.
It is noteworthy that G.G. was in command of troops for his entire 18 months service in Vietnam. As demonstrated in World War II, this was his forte. He was highly respected by enlisted men and junior officers alike as a Commander who was constantly in the field, concerned with troop activities and welfare irrespective of the daily situation. He always had time for the rifleman, the gunner, the basic soldier. He was a frequent visitor at isolated fire bases, support sites and hospitals. The quality of his stewardship led to the award of the Distinguished Service Medal and decorations from the Republic of Vietnam. For gallantry in action, he received a second Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
From Vietnam, G.G. moved to the Continental Army Command in early 1968 as Deputy Chief of Staff for Individual Training. He held that post during the period of peak Army strength in Vietnam and his vast field experience was of inestimable value in the readying of troops for their combat roles. In September 1969, G.G. was designated Commanding General of the VII Corps in Germany and promoted to lieutenant general. Once again, G.G. faced a leadership challenge of monumental proportions. Simply stated, it was to insure—shortage of resources and manpower notwithstanding—the continuous readiness of the Corps to defend its vital sector of Germany from any form of attack. Those were seventeen busy, productive months.
On 1 March 1971, G.G. assumed command of the Fourth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and set about the detailed planning for the larger responsibilities that would be his effective with consolidation of the Fourth and Fifth Annies on 1 July. But the God we worship had determined that G.G.’s race was run. On 24 March, he was stricken by a massive heart attack and moved swiftly and mercifully into the shadows. Three days later his mortal remains were laid to rest at West Point, the place he had loved so deeply and served so well.
Through all the years, Hope was a source of real strength and joy to G.G. Adding to the fullness of their life together were two sons: Robert, a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and resident in the Washington area; and William, USMA ’66 and a captain of Artillery. For his last best Christmas present, G.G. knew the pleasure of playing with an infant grandson who may one day follow his forebears in the Long Gray Line.
The official record of George Gray O'Connor provides some measure of the caliber of the man. From the earliest days of commissioned service until his death, the file abounds with praise for attention to duty, integrity, good judgment and common sense, is long on citations for superb performance as manager, commander and individual, in combat and out. For all this, the written record does not do justice to this splendid soldier. To it must be added the recollections of his peers-notably including a goodly number of '38ers—who served with him at various times along the way. What stands out in our composite memory is his compassion, his understanding of people, his forcefulness, his adherence to standards, his humility—and his unique capacity to blend these qualities in the exercise of enlightened leadership.
Perhaps the most perceptive, meaningful assessment came from a young captain who traveled on his own time and expense to attend the Memorial Service at West Point. Unlike us or the signatures in the file, he had worked for G.G. and was evaluating a superior:
“He took a personal interest in me by his choice, and, as a junior officer, I was impressed and appreciative. General O’Connor was the type of leader who could inspire you through his example to do things you felt were utterly impossible. He was sensitive, fair, and dedicated. I’ll never forget him.”
Nor will we forget.
—His Classmates