Clifford Bluemel (9 November 1885 – 27 June 1973) was an American brigadier general.[1] He commanded the 31st Division during the Battle of Bataan before being captured by Japanese forces and held as a prisoner of war.[2]

Clifford Bluemel
General Clifford Bluemel
General Clifford Bluemel
Nickname(s)Blinky
Born(1885-11-09)November 9, 1885
Trenton, New Jersey
DiedJune 27, 1973(1973-06-27) (aged 87)
Trenton, New Jersey
Buried
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1909–1947
RankBrigadier General
Service number0-2642
CommandsFort Benjamin Harrison
31st Division (Philippines)
45th Infantry Regiment
Battles / warsBattle of Bataan
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Prisoner of War Medal

Biography

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Bluemel was born and raised in New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Military Academy on June 11, 1909. After World War I, Bluemel graduated from the advanced course at the Infantry School in 1926 and then from the Command and General Staff School in 1927.[3] He was promoted to colonel effective September 1, 1938 and then temporarily advanced to brigadier general on December 24, 1941.[4] His final assignment was as commanding general of Fort Benjamin Harrison from 1946 to 1947.[5]

After his death, Bluemel was buried at the West Point Cemetery on June 29, 1973.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Clifford Bluemel (1941). The Clifford Bluemel Papers.
  2. ^ Staff. "GEN. BLUEMEL GETS DSM; Jersey Officer Commanded Division at Bataan Before Capture", The New York Times, November 10, 1945. Accessed October 22, 2017. "The Army's Distinguished Service Medal was presented at the Presidio today to Brig. Gen. Clifford Bluemel of Trenton, N. J., who commanded the Thirty-first Division in the defense of Bataan before his capture by the Japanese who held him prisoner more than two years."
  3. ^ Official Army Register. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1940. p. 71. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  4. ^ Official Army Register (PDF). Vol. I. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. January 1, 1947. p. 101. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  5. ^ "Class of 1909—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1971. p. 325. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  6. ^ "Bluemel, Clifford". Army Cemeteries Explorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 2022-09-19.

Bibliography

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