Charles G. Helmick | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Helmick (at left) meeting with American and Soviet generals onElbe Day, April 25, 1945 | |
| Birth name | Charles Gardiner Helmick |
| Born | (1892-07-07)July 7, 1892 Fort Sherman, Idaho, United Sstates |
| Died | December 19, 1991(1991-12-19) (aged 99) Alexandria, Virginia, United States |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1913–1952 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands | V Corps Artillery Fort George Meade |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy |
Charles Gardiner Helmick (July 7, 1892 – December 19, 1991) was an American military officer who served inWorld War I,World War II, and theKorean War.
Amilitary brat, Helmick was born atFort Sherman, Idaho. His father, Major GeneralEli Alva Helmick (1863–1945) served as a commander in both theSpanish–American War andWorld War I.[1]
Charles Helmick entered theUnited States Naval Academy atAnnapolis in 1909.[1][2] After completing his studies, Helmick was unexpectedly commissioned in theUnited States Army, as aSecond lieutenant. He saw service on the Mexican border before being sent to France with the15th Field Artillery Regiment in 1918. After the war was over, Helmick served stateside on a number of Field Artillery posts.[1]
In June 1941, Helmick was transferred to theArmy of the United States and assigned the rank ofColonel, serving as chief of the Budget Branch of theDepartment of War's General Staff. Later, he would serve as division artillery commander of the35th Infantry Division.[3]
In 1944, Helmick, now aBrigadier General, was made artillery commander ofV Corps and participated in theBattle of Normandy. He led the naval bombardment ofOmaha Beach, allowing for shore batteries to be established by American troops.[1] He then commanded on theSiegfried Line and during theBattle of the Bulge. On April 25, 1945, Helmick took part in themeeting between American and Soviet forces inTorgau on the Elbe River. The following day, Helmick and Major GeneralClarence Huebner of V Corps met withRed Army GeneralsGleb Baklanov andVladimir Rusakov.
Following the end of the war, Helmick was awarded theArmy Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as V Corps Artillery Commander during the campaigns of Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe, December 1944 to May 1945."[2]
After returning from Europe, Helmick became the commander ofFort George Meade. In 1948 he was called toSouth Korea by GeneralJohn R. Hodge to partake inOperation Blacklist Forty as American military governor. During his tenure, Helmick oversaw the U.S. purchase of Japanese property in Korea to be sold to the Korean government ofSyngman Rhee. He was the final American military governor of South Korea before full authority was transferred to Rhee's government. After returning from Korea, Helmick became a stateside commander ofFirst Army forces, before retiring with the rank ofMajor General in 1952.[1][4]
Helmick suffered fromcolor blindness his entire life. In 1919 he married Leah Louise Stock (1892–1981), with whom he had 3 children. He died on December 19, 1991, aged 99.[5]