US soldier, born in Perry, Georgia, USA. The son of a newspaperman, he enlisted in the US Army (1906), received a commission (1909), and served with great distinction in World War 1. During the next two decades he rose in rank as he moved up through the standard staff and command posts. In World War 2 he took command of the US First Army from General Omar Bradley and led it across France to the liberation of Paris (Aug 1944), through the Battle of the Bulge, across the Rhine to encircle the Ruhr, and on to the Elbe R in Germany and victory. Promoted to full general, he commanded the First Army until retiring in 1949.
| Courtney Hodges | |
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| (January 5, 1887 - January 16, 1966) | |
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| Place of birth | Chatfield, TX |
| Place of death | Perry, Georgia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Rank | Major General (retired) |
Courtney Hicks Hodges (January 5, 1887 – January 16, 1966) was an American military officer, most prominent for his role in World War II, in which he commanded the U.S. First Army in
Northwest Europe.
Early life and military career
Hodges's father published a small-town newspaper in Perry, Georgia where he was born.
World War I and postwar years
He earned the Distinguished Service Cross (second only in precedence to the Medal of Honor), during the closing days of World War I while leading an attack across the Marne River.
World War II
In May 1941, he was promoted to major general and was given various commands,including Chief of Infantry until he finally received a frontline command, that of the X Corps, which he received in 1942. During Operation Overlord, he was subordinate to Bradley as Deputy Commander of the U.S. First Army, but in August 1944, he succeeded Bradley, as the latter went to command 12th Army Group and took command of the Army.
In May 1945, after the German surrender, Hodges and his troops were ordered to prepare for the invasion of Japan;
Post-war life
After World War II, he served First Army Commandant stationed at Governors Island, New York until his retirement in March 1949.
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