William Simpson

William Simpson

Surname	Simpson
Given Name	William
Born	18 May 1888
Died	15 Aug 1980
Country	United States
Category	Military-Ground
Gender	Male

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseWilliam Hood Simpson was born in Weatherford, Texas, United States. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1909 and became an infantry officer. He served in the Philippines, fought in Mexico, and also served in the 33rd Division during WW1. During the inter-war years, he served in various staff positions and furthered his military training. Immediately before WW2 began for the United States, he was appointed commander at the division level with the rank of major general. During WW2, his 9th Army fought across France into the heart of Germany. Dwight Eisenhower observed him as "[a]lert, intelligent, and professionally capable," and "was the type of leader that American soldiers deserve." In May 1944, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, serving under Omar Bradley and Bernard Montgomery. Near the very end of the war, Jul 1945, he was sent on a mission to China. Simpson retired in Nov 1946 due to illness. He was promoted to the rank of full general in Jul 1954 while on the retired list.

ww2dbaseSimpson died in 1980. He rests in peace at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States.

ww2dbaseSources: Crusade in Europe, Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Apr 2006

William Simpson Interactive Map

Photographs

Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder with Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower and General William Simpson arriving at a command conference, 8 Dec 1944.

General Omar Bradley, Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and General William Simpson at a command conference, 8 Dec 1944.

Generals Miles Dempsey, Courtney Hodges, Bernard Montgomery, William Simpson, and Henry (Harry) Crerar during a field conference, 31 Dec 1944.

Major General William Simpson and Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery touring the city of Aachen, Germany, 31 Dec 1944. Ten weeks earlier, Aachen became the first city inside Germany to be occupied by the Allies.

See all 7 photographs of William Simpson

William Simpson Timeline

18 May 1888	William Simpson was born.
15 Aug 1980	William Simpson passed away.

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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. SPODOD says:
23 Nov 2009 05:43:19 PM

It is unfortunate that such a great leader as General William Hood Simpson has been essentially overlooked by WWII biographers. Does anyone have additional information I can access?

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William Simpson