George C. Marshall

George C. Marshall was an important leader in the United States during the mid-20th century. He was born in 1880 in Pennsylvania. Marshall served as a soldier, general, and government official. He is best known for his work during World War II and for plans made after the war ended.

Marshall studied at the Virginia Military Institute. This school trains officers for the army. After graduating, he served in the United States Army for many years. During World War I, Marshall worked as a staff officer. A staff officer helps plan military actions rather than fighting on the front lines. His planning skills became widely recognized by other leaders.

Before the United States entered World War II, Marshall became Chief of Staff of the Army in 1939. The Chief of Staff is the highest-ranking officer in the army. In this role, Marshall helped organize and expand the American military. At the start of the war, the United States Army was small. Under Marshall’s direction, it grew into a large force capable of fighting in many parts of the world.

During World War II, Marshall worked closely with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He helped plan major operations in Europe and the Pacific. Although Marshall did not command troops in battle, he was responsible for choosing generals and setting overall strategy. Strategy means a long-term plan to achieve goals in war. Many important Allied decisions were shaped by his advice.

After World War II ended in 1945, Marshall continued to serve the United States government. In 1947, he became Secretary of State. This position involves managing relations with other countries. Marshall introduced a program officially called the European Recovery Program. It became known as the Marshall Plan. The plan provided money and supplies to help rebuild European countries damaged by the war.

Later, Marshall served as Secretary of Defense during the Korean War. He helped guide military policy during this conflict. In 1953, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the Marshall Plan. George C. Marshall died in 1959. He is remembered as a leader who shaped both wartime planning and postwar recovery.