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Wallace H. Nutting

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Wallace H. Nutting
Nutting in 1983
Birth nameWallace Hall Nutting
Born(1928-06-03)June 3, 1928
Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedAugust 17, 2023(2023-08-17) (aged 95)
Saco, Maine, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1950–1985
Rank General
Commands
Battles / wars
Other workMayor of Biddeford, Maine

Wallace Hall Nutting (June 3, 1928 – August 17, 2023) was a United States Army general who served as Commander in Chief, United States Southern Command (USCINCSOUTH) from 1979 to 1983 and as Commander in Chief, United States Readiness Command (USCINCRED) from 1983 to 1985.[1][2]

Early life

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Nutting was born on June 3, 1928, in Newton, Massachusetts.

Career

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Nutting's military service began when he served in the Maine National Guard. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1946,[3] he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1950 with a B.S. degree in military engineering. Nutting later received an M.A. degree in international affairs from George Washington University in 1963.[4][5]

Nutting saw combat in the Korean War and served as a commander during two tours in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Silver Star and the Soldier's Medal for his service in Korea, the latter for rescuing a wounded female Korean civilian from a minefield.[6] Nutting also received two Purple Hearts for his service in Korea.[7]

His commands include the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam;[8] the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment;[9] the 3rd Armored Division; United States Southern Command from 1979 to 1983;[10] and United States Readiness Command from 1983 to 1985.[11]

Later life

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Nutting retired in 1985 and settled with his wife Jane in Biddeford, Maine, where he served as mayor from 2003 to 2007. Nutting has also served as a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Higher Defense Studies at the National Defense University and was an Associate Fellow at the Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. He was chairman of the University of Southern Maine's Senior College board.[12]

On May 28, 2008, Nutting received the West Point Distinguished Graduate Award from the academy's Association of Graduates in a ceremony at West Point.

Wallace H. Nutting died in Saco, Maine, on August 17, 2023, at the age of 95.[13]

Controversies

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In 1987 General Nutting denied Panamanian charges that, as CINCSOUTH, he had been complicit in the 1981 death of Manuel Noriega’s mentor General Omar Torrijos.[14]

Nutting and two others were acquitted in 1993 after trial in the U. S. District Court in Tampa on charges Sooner Defense of Florida, Inc., had sold defective munitions for the Bradley fighting vehicle. He joined the company reluctantly, and was appointed its president two weeks before its bankruptcy. Six other codefendants were convicted.[15] The charges had been brought in 1991.[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ United States. Dept. of the Army (1985). Army executive biographies. Headquarters, Dept. of the Army. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  2. ^ Marquis Who's Who on the Web
  3. ^ "Phillips Exeter Academy | Phillips Exeter Alumni | President's Award Recipients". phillips.exeter.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-10-03. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  4. ^ "General Wallace Hall Nutting". Army Executive Biographies. Headquarters, Department of the Army. 1985. p. 11. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  5. ^ U.S. Army Register: Active and Retired List. Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. January 1, 1966. p. 421. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
  6. ^ "Wallace Hall Nutting". Military Times. Sightline Media Group. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  7. ^ "Class of 1950—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1969. p. 644. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  8. ^ Starry, General Donn A. (1989). "Appendix A. Commanders of Cavalry, Armor, and Mechanized Infantry Units in Vietnam". Mounted Combat in Vietnam. Vietnam Studies. United States Army Center of Military History. CMH Pub 90-17. Archived from the original on 2016-04-27. Retrieved 2010-07-22.
  9. ^ "Nashville Reunion - 11th ACVVC - K Troop - 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment - Hosted By Bob Hersey". ktroop.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  10. ^ "USSOUTHCOM Previous Commanders". Archived from the original on 2002-11-04. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  11. ^ Counseling Services, Inc. - Gen. Nutting Joins Board
  12. ^ University of Southern Maine 2004-2005 News Releases Archived 2008-08-20 at the Wayback Machine Nutting was a member of the organization Mission: Readiness, a "nonprofit, nonpartisan national security organization led by over 200 retired generals, admirals, and other senior military leaders who work to ensure continued American security and prosperity by calling for smart investments in the next generation of American children."
  13. ^ Wallace H. Nutting – 1950
  14. ^ "Retired Army Gen. Wallace H. Nutting denied Thursday charges..." UPI. June 11, 1987. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  15. ^ Harkavy, Jerry (August 2, 1993). "Acquitted general to press for reform of justice system". BANGOR DAILY NEWS. BANGOR, MAINE. AP. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  16. ^ "10 at Arms Company Are Charged With Scheme to Defraud the U.S." The New York Times. The Associated Press. October 29, 1991. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
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