Brig. Gen. William L. Lemnitzer, USA, Ret., 85, dies
Brig. Gen. William L. Lemnitzer, USA, Ret., 85, dies
Brig. Gen. William L. Lemnitzer, USA, Ret., died Nov. 27 at his home in Arlington, Va. He was 85.A 1951 an honors graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was born, Lemnitzer also received a Master’s degree in industrial chemistry from Columbia University in New York.The son of Gen. Lyman L. Lemnitzer, USA, Ret., who served during his Army career as Army chief of staff, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and supreme allied commander, NATO, Gen. William Lemnitzer’s service included a variety of important command and staff positions and tours of duty in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam.In 1974, he was medically retired from the Army.His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with Oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star Medal.After retirement, he worked for several companies including General Research Corp. and personally did research for the Department of Energy on cold fusion energy.He is survived by his sons: William and daughter-in-law, Sheila, Burke, Va.; Robert and daughter-in-law, Christine, Alexandria, Va.; and Michael, Boston, Mass.; four grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, and a niece.He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Lydia, in 2013.He will be interred with Lydia at Arlington National Cemetery.