Lee, John C.H., LTG

Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee, 71, retired, a deputy commander under Gen. Eisenhower in the European theater in World War II, died Saturday in York hospital here. He had been in a serious condition with a cardiac disturbance since his admission to the hospital a week ago. 

Lee was one of the second world war's most colorful officers with a reputation as a tough disciplinarian and a lavish entertainer. Because of his insistence on snappy salutes and spit polish regulations, he was widely known in GI circles as Court House Lee, a play on his middle initials, which stood for Clifford Hodges. 

Lee was the center of a lively controversy in the final months of his active career abroad when his administration as commander of the army's Mediterranean theater was investigated by the inspector general after newspaper charges of brutal treatment of enlisted men and extravagance among officers. 

Retired for Disability 

The investigation led to a memorandum by Gen. Eisenhower, then army chief of staff, admitting "errors" in Lee's administration but asserting no wrong intent had been found. Lee applied for retirement before the investigation began in October, 1947, and was retired for physical disability on Jan. 2, 1948. 

Before his assignment to the Mediterranean theater after the end of active fighting, Lee was in charge of supply and communications for the European theater. He shared responsibility for the big buildup for the invasion of Europe. 

He was a native of Junction City, Kas., where he was born Aug. 1, 1887. He was graduated from West Point military academy in 1909 and spent his early army years in the engineering corps. He served on engineering projects in Guam, the Philippines, and Panama, and had charge of flood control and navigation problems on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. 

Awarded Croix de Guerre 

He was both an engineering and intelligence officer in World War I, winning the distinguished service medal and the Croix de Guerre. 

Upon his retirement, Lee accepted an unsalaried job as general secretary of the Brotherhood of St. Andrews, a laymen's organization of the Protestant Episcopal church. He moved to York, headquarters of his organization, to devote full time to his work. 

His second wife, the former Eva B. Ellis, whom he married in 1945, and a son by his first marriage, Army Lt. Col. John C. H. Lee Jr., survive. Services will be held Tuesday in St. John's Episcopal church here, with burial Thursday in Arlington National cemetery. 

A White House announcement Saturday described Lee as one of Mr. Eisenhower's principal assistants during the war and said the President was saddened at news of his death. 

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