Lucian Truscott

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Lucian King Truscott, Jr. (January 9, 1895September 12, 1965) was a US Army Lieutenant-General and the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, during World War II. Truscott commanded the division during Operation Shingle (1944). Also in 1944, Will Lang Jr. from Life (magazine) wrote a biography on Truscott that appeared in October 2, 1944's issue of LIFE. Truscott was subsequently promoted to command all forces engaged in the operation, after the initial commander, Lieutenant General John P. Lucas proved to be indecisive during the battle.

Following Anzio, Truscott continued to command VI Corps through the fight up Italy. His command was then withdrawn from the line to prepare for Operation Dragoon, the amphibious assault on southern France. The Corps landed on 15 August 1944 and faced relatively little opposition. Truscott's next command came in December 1944. He was promoted to command of the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy when its commander Lieutenant General Mark Clark was made commander of 15th Army Group. Truscott led the Army through the hard winter of 1944–1945, where many of its formations were in exposed positions in the mountains of Italy. He then lead US forces through the final destruction of the German Army in Italy. Fifth Army played a supporting role to the British Eighth Army in the drive to take out the Germans.