If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Columbus, OH
Last Address Columbus, OH
Date of Passing Dec 13, 1973
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Lieutenant General Clovis E. Byers (5 November 1899 – 13 December 1973) was an American soldier and General in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his role as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II and in the Occupation of Japan. He was wounded while leading American troops from the front at the Battle of Buna-Gona. He also played an important part in the fighting at Lone Tree Hill, Biak, and the Philippines campaign (1944–45). After the war, he commanded the famous 82nd Airborne Division. He commanded the X Corps in the Korean War and as such was in overall command at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge and the Battle of Bloody Ridge.
Education and early life
Clovis Ethelbert Byers was born in Columbus, Ohio on 5 November 1899. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1916. He attended Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio from 1917 to 1918 before graduating from West Point from 15 June 1920. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the cavalry on 2 July 1920.
Byers attended the United States Army Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas from 1920 to 1921. He was posted to the 4th Cavalry at Fort Brown and later Fort McIntosh, Texas, where he commanded Troop D until it was inactivated in 1923. He attended the Signal School at Fort Monmouth from 1923 to 1924 and then became regimental communications officer of 3rd Cavalry at Fort Myer. In 1925 he was promoted to First Lieutenant.
In March 1926, Byers became an instructor in tactics at the United States Military Academy. He was Assistant Master of the Sword and then master of the sword until 1930. He was a Student Officer at the Special Advanced Equtation Course at United States Army Cavalry School from 1930 to 1931 and then served with the 8th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss from 1931 to 1932. After this, Byers returned to West Point as a tactics instructor, and then as Assistant Adjutant from 1932 to 1934.
From 1934 to 1936 Byers attended the Command and General Staff College, where he was finally promoted to Captain on 1 August 1935. On completing the course, he was assigned to the staff of the 2nd Division at Fort Sam Houston. In October 1936, he became Aide-de-Camp to Major General Herbert J. Brees, commander of the VIII Corps area. Byers then joined the 5th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, where he commanded Troop A from 1937 to 1938 and the 1st Squadron from 1938 to 1939.
He married Marie Richards of Columbus, Ohio. They had one son, Clayton Potter Byers, who was born on 23 June 1940.
World War II
Byers spent for months visiting military schools in England, France, and Germany prior to attending the U.S. Army War College from September 1939 to June 1940. He was promoted to major on 1 July 1940. On graduation he was assigned to the G-1 (Personnel) Division, War Department General Staff at a time when the workload of this division was particularly heavy owing to the vast expansion of the Army. He was promoted to wartime rank Lieutenant Colonel on 11 December 1941 and Colonel on 1 February 1942.
In February 1942, Byers became Chief of Staff of Major General Robert L. Eichelberger's newly-reactivated 77th Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Byers would form a close working relationship with Eichelberger, who had also attended Ohio State where he too had been a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Byers, along with a number of other staff members from the 77th Infantry Division, followed Eichelberger when the latter became commander of I Corps in June 1942.
The I Corps headquarters staff moved to Brisbane by air in August 1942, travelling on the same aircraft as former United States Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Peter Fraser. The headquarters soon moved to Rockhampton, Queensland, where it supervised the training of American troops in Queensland.[5] Byers was promoted to temporary Brigadier General on 31 October 1942.
Papuan campaign
Brigadier Generals Hanford MacNider, Albert Waldron, and Clovis Byers recuperate in hospital in Australia after being wounded in the Battle of Buna-Gona.
When the Battle of Buna-Gona started going badly, General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander, South West Pacific Area, decided to send I Corps headquarters to the front in Papua. Eichelberger recalled Macarthur's instructions:
"Bob," he said, "I want you to go out there and take Buna, or don't come back alive." He paused for a moment and then, without looking at Byers, pointed a finger. "And that goes for your chief of staff, too."
In accordance with MacArthur's orders, Eichelberger relieved the 32nd Infantry Division's commander, Major General Edwin F. Harding, replacing him with the division's artillery commander, Brigadier General Albert W. Waldron, on 2 December 1942.In an attack on 5 December, Waldron was shot in the shoulder by a Japanese sniper,[8] and Byers succeeded him as commander of the troops in the field. Byers in turn was wounded on 16 December. He became the third American general to be shot at Buna, Brigadier General Hanford MacNider having been shot earlier in the fighting, none of whom was more than 75 metres from Japanese lines at the time. General Eichelberger assumed command, as he was now the only American general officer present. Waldron and Byers were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.Byers' citation read:
For extraordinary heroism in action near Buna, New Guinea, on 15 December 1942. Immediately prior to launching an attack on an enemy position, Brigadier general Byers, without regard to his personal safety, visited the front line troops in close proximity to the enemy and to the impact are of our own preparatory mortar concentration, inspiring the men to a greater effort by his personal example. When the attack was launched, he advanced to a position within fifty yards of the assaulting troops. When wounded by an enemy sniper, he continued observation of the action and encouragement of the troops until he was evacuated. His inspiring example of heroism contributed greatly to the success of the attack.
For his role in the fighting in Papua, Byers also received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. In turn, Byers recommended Eichelberger for the Medal of Honor but the nomination was disapproved by MacArthur. Byers returned to the front on 17 January 1943 as Chief of Staff of Advance New Guinea Force, now commanded by Eichelberger. The two remained until 26 January, when they returned to Australia.
New Guinea campaign
I Corps headquarters remained at Rockhampton, Queensland in the training role until March 1944, when it moved to Goodenough Island, where it prepared and staged for Operations RECKLESS and PERSECUTION. For his part in the operation, Byers was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. His citation read:
For meritorious service from 7 March 1944 to 17 April 1944 at Goodenough Island, Southwest Pacific Area, and from 22 April 1944 to 30 April 1944 at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea. As Chief of Staff, General Byers performed outstanding and meritorious services in coordinating the several planning units during the preparation for an amphibious operation. During the combat phase of this operation his unremitting tact and energy were responsible for the prompt installation and subsequent forward displacvement of the task force headquarters with a minimum of confusion and delay. His outstanding example during the long hours of work under trying circumstances served as an inspiration to all those whim he came in contact.
Byers was awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Silver Star in the Battle of Biak. His citation read:
For gallantry in action on Biak, Netherlands East Indies, on 17 June 1944. Troops of the HURRICANE Task Force, dispirited by three weeks of vicious fighting, were in a critical condition in the Sump area on Biak Island. The Japanese, hidden in caves, had maintained their principal lines of resistance despite all efforts of American forces. At this point General Byers made a personal reconnaissance of the most advanced positions. Although enemy mortar shells were bursting behind him, he continued to observe the enemy and to obtain information which was instrumental in the subsequent defeat of Japanese forces. The disheartened American troops were inspired by General Byers' conspicuous bravery and his disregard of danger instilled with them the spirit vital to victory. The spectacular leadership exhibited by General Byers in this action is within the highest tradition of the military service.
He was also awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Bronze Star Medal. This citation read:
For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations at Biak Island, Southwest Pacific Area, during the period 15-26 June 1944. As chief of staff of a Task Force, Brigadier General Byers made frequent visits to front line elements in order to orient himself with regard to the situation and to familiarize the commanding general with it. On one such occasion a motor vehicle following closely behind that in which he rode was ambushed by the enemy and all the occupants were killed. In addition, he made an aerial reconnaissance of a suspected enemy point of resistance based on fortified caves. The information thus obtained was of great value in eliminating the position.
Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, commander of the Sixth Army offered to make Byers an assistant division commander. When Byers refused the offer, Krueger took this as a personal affront.
In August 1944, Eighth Army headquarters arrived in the New Guinea and Eichelberger became commander of the new army.Once again, Byers followed him as his chief of staff. For his services as Chief of Staff of I Corps, Byers was awarded the Legion of Merit:
For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in New Guinea from 22 June 1942 to 2 September 1944. General Byers displayed exceptional ability in the coordination and operation of various staff agencies. His sagacity, unusual initiative and skilfull planning were of inestimable assistance in directing operations during the Papuan and New Guinea campaigns. He fostered cordial relations with commander of Allied forces, materially increasing the effectiveness of operations. Through his diligence, sound judgment and wide experience, General Byers solved innumerable problems and contributed substantially to the success of offensive operations.
Philippines campaign
Byers remained Chief of Staff through the Eighth Army's operations on Leyte and Luzon, for which Byers was awarded a second oak leaf cluster to his Bronze Star Medal:
For outstanding and meritorious service from 20 December 1944 to 26 January 1945. General Byers, as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Army supervised and coordinated the plans for the preparation and movement of units scheduled to reinforce US Army troops in the Lingayen Gulf area, Luzon, Philippine Islands. The numerous obstacles presented due to widely dispersed staging areas, limited shipping facilities and the necessity of re-equipping and regrouping the units involved required close coordination of US naval and service forces and the numerous units of the Eighth Army. General Byers sound judgemnt, untiring efforts and tactful coordination contributed in a large measure to the success of the operation.
The Eighth Army proceeded to complete the reconquest of the Philippines with the Visayas and Mindanao campaigns. For his part, Byers was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. According to his citation, Byers:
Performed meritorious and distingushed service in the Southwest Pacific Area and Japan from January to October 1945. As Chief of Staff, Eighth Army, General Byers displayed a high degree of professional skill in successfully coordinating and supervising the formulation and execution of staff plan for the assault landings and operations in the Visayan Islands, Mundanao, Luzon, the Sulu Archipelago, and for the occupation of Japan. Through his prompt and accurate solution of many problems, the Army successfully executed fifty-two amphibious assaults, nine of which were major operations, and his seasoned judgment and foresight dud much to make possible the sound initiation and effective execution of plans for the occupation of Japan.
He was also awarded the Air Medal:
For meritorious achievement from 20 October 1944 to 27 April 1945. In order to plan and coordinate his duties as chief of staff of an army, General Byers made numerous flights to various parts of the Philippine Islands contacting subordinate commanders and gaining first hand information on the progress of operations. many of the flights were made over hostile territory, in an unarmed plane, and danger from enemy fire was always probable and expected. By his frequent contacts with subordinate units and the valuable information he obtained, the success of operations was greatly enhanced,. General Byers courage and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the military service.
Byers was promoted to the temporary rank of major general on 4 June 1945, with his date of rank backdated to 1 December 1944.
Occupation of Japan
After hostilities ended, the Eighth Army participated in the Occupation of Japan. Byers landed at Atsugi aerodrome with the 1th Airborne Division on 30 August 1945. Eichelberger remained Eighth Army commander and Byers his Chief of Staff until Eichelberger retired in 1948. For his services in Japan, Byers was awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Legion of Merit:
For exceptionally meritorious service from October 1945 to January 1948 as Chief of Staff of Eighth Army, he displayed exceptional exceptional executive, administrative and organizational abilities, and was instrumental in maintaining a smoothly functioning organization despite the many complicated situations which arose in connection with the occupation of Japan. His seasoned judgment and foresight did much to make possible the sound initiation and effective execution of plans for the demilitarization of the Japanese nation and for the conversion of Japanese industry, commerce and agriculture to a peacetime basis. the successful manner in which he fulfilled the important duties of his position was of incalculable assistance in the direction of the occupation forces.
Korean War
On returning to the United States in 1948, Byers became commander of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1949, he returned to Washington, D.C. as Deputy Assistant Army Chief of Staff G-1 (Personnel).
In July 1951, Byers replaced Major General Edward Almond as commander of X Corps, then engaged in combat in Korea. As such, Byers was in overall command at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge and the Battle of Bloody Ridge.
Later life
Byers became commander of XVI Corps in 1952. He served as Chief of Staff of Allied Forces Southern Europe (AFSOUTH) from 1952 to 1954 and then commander of X Corps again. He was Deputy Commandant of the National War College from 1954 to 1955 and then Commandant of the NATO Defence College from 1955 to 1957.
Byers was promoted to the substantive rank of Brigadier General, United States Army in 1948, Major General in 1952, and Lieutenant General in 1955.
Byers retired from the army in June 1959. He died on 13 December 1973 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His papers are in the Hoover Institution.
Other Comments:
Lieutenant General Clovis Ethelbert Byers
Born November 5, 1899 in Columbus, Ohio
Died December 13, 1973
Cadet US. Military Academy 1916-20
Graduated as No. 6707, Class of 1920
Second Lieutenant 1920
First Lieutenant 1925
Captain 1935
Major 1940
Lieutenant Colonel (Army of the United States) 1941
Colonel (Army of the United States) 1942
Brigadier General (Army of the United States) 1942
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army 1943
Major General (Army of the United States) 1945
Brigadier General, United States Army 1948
Major General, United States Army 1952
Lieutenant General, United Sates Army 1955
Student Officer, Cavalry School 1930-31
Served with 8th Cavalry Regiment 1931-32
Commanding Officer, Cadet Company, U. S. Military Academy 1932-33
Assistant Adjutant, U. S. Military Academy 1933-34
Student, Command & General Staff School 1934-36
Aide-de-Camp to Major General Herbert J. Brees 1936-37
Commanding Officer, Troop A, 5th Cavalry Regiment 1937-38
Commanding Officer, 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment 1938-39
Student, Army War College 1939-40
Served with G-1 (Personnel) Division, War Department 1940-42
Chief of Staff, 77th Infantry Division 1942
Chief of Staff I US. Corps 1942-43
Commanding General, 32nd Infantry Division (December 6-17th) 1942
Chief of Staff, 8th US.Army 1944-48
Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division 1948-49
Deputy Assistant Army Chief of Staff G-1 (Personnel) 1949-51
Commanding General, XVI U. S. Corps 1952
Chief of Staff, Allied Forces, Southern Europe 1952-54
Commanding General, X U. S. Corps 1954
Deputy Commandant, National War College 1954-55
Commandant, NATO Defense College 1955-57
Special Assistant to the Defense Secretary 1957-59
Retired 1959
Distinguished Service Cross - Distinguished Service Medal (2) - Silver Star (2) - Legion of Merit (2) - Bronze Star Medal (3) - Purple Heart -
Commander, Order of the British Empire - Military Merit Medal (Philippines) - Legion of Honor (France)
Gavin was replaced in command of the 82nd by Major General Clovis E. Byers, whose war career was in the Pacific, first as commander of the 32nd Division in New Guinea and then longtime chief of staff of the 8th Army before and after itbecame the Army of Occupation in postwar Japan.
Leyte Campaign (1944-45)/Battle of Leyte
From Month/Year
October / 1944
To Month/Year
July / 1945
Description The Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the amphibious invasion of the Gulf of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita from 17 October 1944 - 1 July 1945. The operation code named King Two launched the Philippines campaign of 1944–45 for the recapture and liberation of the entire Philippine Archipelago and to end almost three years of Japanese occupation.
Battle
Landings
Preliminary operations for the Leyte invasion began at dawn on 17 October with minesweeping tasks and the movement of the 6th Rangers toward three small islands in Leyte Gulf. Although delayed by a storm, the Rangers were on Suluan and Dinagat islands by 0805. On Suluan, they dispersed a small group of Japanese defenders and destroyed a radio station, while they found Dinagat unoccupied. The next day, the third island Homonhon, was taken without any opposition. On Dinagat and Homonhom, the Rangers proceeded to erect navigation lights for the amphibious transports to follow. Meanwhile reconnaissance by underwater demolition teams revealed clear landing beaches for assault troops on Leyte. Independently, the 21st Infantry Regiment on 20 Oct. landed on Panaon Strait to control the entrance to Sogod Bay.
Following four hours of heavy naval gunfire on A-day, 20 October, Sixth Army forces landed on assigned beaches at 10:00. X Corps pushed across a 4 mi (6.4 km) stretch of beach between Tacloban airfield and the Palo River. 15 mi (24 km) to the south, XXIV Corps units came ashore across a 3 mi (4.8 km) strand between San José and the Daguitan River. Troops found as much resistance from swampy terrain as from Japanese fire. Within an hour of landing, units in most sectors had secured beachheads deep enough to receive heavy vehicles and large amounts of supplies. Only in the 24th Division sector did enemy fire force a diversion of follow-up landing craft. But even that sector was secure enough by 13:30 to allow Gen. MacArthur to make a dramatic entrance through the surf onto Red Beach and announce to the populace the beginning of their liberation: "People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."
US 1st Cavalry troops wade through a swamp in Leyte
By the end of A-day, the Sixth Army had moved 1 mi (1.6 km) inland and five miles wide. In the X Corps sector, the 1st Cavalry Division held Tacloban airfield, and the 24th Infantry Division had taken the high ground on Hill 522 commanding its beachheads. In the XXIV Corps sector, the 96th Infantry Division held the approaches to Catmon Hill, and the 7th Infantry Division held Dulag and its airfield.
General Makino spent the day moving his command post from Tacloban, 10 mi (16 km) inland to the town of Dagami. The initial fighting was won at a cost of 49 killed, 192 wounded, and six missing. The Japanese counterattacked the 24th Infantry Division on Red Beach through the night, unsuccessfully.
Campaign in the Leyte Valley
The Sixth Army made steady progress inland against sporadic and uncoordinated enemy resistance on Leyte in the next few days. The 1st Cavalry Division of Maj. Gen. Verne D. Mudge secured the provincial capital, Tacloban, on 21 October, and Hill 215 the next. On 23 October, Gen. MacArthur presided over a ceremony to restore civil government to Leyte. 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigades initiated a holding action to prevent a Japanese counterattack from the mountainous interior, after which the 1st Cavalry was allowed to move on. The 8th Cavalry established itself on Samar by 24 Oct., securing the San Juanico Strait.
US infantrymen move cautiously toward a machinegun nest
On the X Corps left, the 24th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Frederick A. Irving, drove inland into heavy enemy resistance. After days and nights of hard fighting and killing some 800 Japanese, the 19th and 34th Infantry Regiments expanded their beachhead and took control of the high ground commanding the entrance to the northern Leyte Valley. By 1 November, after a seven-day tank-infantry advance supported by artillery fire, both regiments had pushed through Leyte Valley and were within sight of the north coast and the port of Carigara, which the 2nd Cavalry Brigade occupied the next day after Suzuki ordered a withdrawal. In its drive through Leyte Valley, the 24th Division inflicted nearly 3,000 enemy casualties. These advances left only one major port on Leyte—Ormoc City on the west coast—under Japanese control.
A US 105 mm (4.1 in) howitzer fires at Catmon Hill
From the XXIV Corps beachhead Gen. Hodge had sent his two divisions into the southern Leyte Valley, which already contained four airfields and a large supply center. Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley's 96th Infantry Division was to clear Catmon Hill, a 1,400 ft (430 m) promontory, the highest point in both corps beachheads, and used by the Japanese as an observation and firing post to fire on landing craft approaching the beach on A-day. Under cover of incessant artillery and naval gunfire, Bradley's troops made their way through the swamps south and west of the high ground at Labiranan Head. After a three-day fight, the 382nd Infantry Regiment took a key Japanese supply base at Tabontabon, 5 mi (8.0 km) inland, and killed some 350 Japanese on 28 October. Simultaneously two battalions each from the 381st Infantry Regiment and 383rd Infantry Regiments slowly advanced up opposite sides of Catmon Hill and battled the fierce Japanese resistance. When the mop-up of Catmon Hill was completed on 31 October, the Americans had cleared 53 pillboxes, 17 caves, and several heavy artillery positions.
US armored car at Labiranan Head
On the left of XXIV Corps, the 7th Infantry Division under Maj. Gen. Archibald V. Arnold moved inland against the Japanese airfields of San Pablo 1 and 2, Bayug, and Buri, using "flying wedges" of American tanks, the 767th Tank Battalion, which cleared the way for the infantrymen. Between Burauen and Julita, the 17th Infantry overcame fanatical but futile resistance from Japanese spider holes, who placed satchel charges on the hulls of the American tanks. A mile north, 32nd Infantry soldiers killed more than 400 Japanese at Buri airfield. While two battalions of the 184th Infantry patrolled the corps' left flank, the 17th Infantry, with the 184th's 2nd Battalion attached, turned north toward Dagami, 6 mi (9.7 km) above Burauen. Using flamethrowers to root the enemy out of pillboxes and a cemetery, US troops captured Dagami on 30 October, which forced Gen. Makino to evacuate his command post further westward. Meanwhile, on 29 October, the 32nd Infantry's 2nd Battalion, preceded by the 7th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, moved 15 mi (24 km) south along the east coast to Abuyog for a probe of the area, and then over the next four days patrolled west through the mountains to Baybay, all without opposition.
Japanese counterattacks
With 432,000 Japanese soldiers in the Philippines, General Yamashita decided to make Leyte the main effort of the Japanese defense, and on 21 Oct. , ordered the 35th Army to coordinate a decisive battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy. The 16th Division was to be reinforced by the 30th Infantry Division from Mindanao, landing on Ormoc Bay. The 102nd Infantry Division would occupy Jaro, where the 1st and 26th Infantry Divisions were concentrating. Battalions from the 55th and 57th Independent Mixed Brigades were on Leyte by 25 Oct.
As the Sixth Army pushed deeper into Leyte, the Japanese struck back in the air and at sea. On 24 October, some 200 enemy aircraft approached American beachheads and shipping from the north. Fifty American land-based aircraft rose to intercept them, and claimed to have shot down between 66 and 84 of the attackers. Day and night air raids continued over the next four days, damaging supply dumps ashore and threatening American shipping. But by 28 October, counterattacks by US aircraft on Japanese airfields and shipping on other islands so reduced enemy air strength that conventional air raids ceased to be a major threat. As their air strength diminished, the Japanese resorted to the deadly kamikazes, a corps of suicide pilots who crashed their bomb-laden planes directly into US ships. They chose the large American transport and escort fleet that had gathered in Leyte Gulf on A-day as their first target and sank one escort carrier and badly damaged many other vessels.
Four Japanese snipers shot and killed in the muddy water of a bomb crater
A more serious danger to the US forces developed at sea. The Imperial Japanese Navy's high command decided to destroy US Navy forces supporting the Sixth Army by committing its entire remaining surface fleet to a decisive battle with the Americans. The Imperial Navy's plan was to attack in three major task groups. One, which included four aircraft carriers with few aircraft aboard, was to act as a decoy, luring the US 3rd Fleet north away from Leyte Gulf. If the decoy was successful, the other two groups, consisting primarily of heavy surface combatants, would enter the gulf from the west and attack the American transports.
A US anti-aircraft gun at Tacloban airfield in action
On 23 October, the approach of the enemy surface vessels was detected. US naval units moved out to intercept, and the air and naval Battle of Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in the Pacific and also one of the largest naval battles in history—was fought from 23-26 October—the Japanese suffered a decisive defeat. Nonetheless by 11 December, the Japanese had succeeded in moving more than 34,000 troops to Leyte and over 10,000 short tons (9,100 t) of materiél, most through the port of Ormoc on the west coast, despite heavy losses to reinforcement convoys, including engagements at Ormoc Bay, because of relentless air interdiction missions by US aircraft.