Omar Nelson Bradley, (born Feb. 12, 1893, Clark, Mo., U.S.—died April 8, 1981, New York, N.Y.), U.S. Army officer who commanded the Twelfth Army Group, which helped ensure the Allied victory over Germany during World War II; later he served as first chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff (1949–53).

Patton is widely considered one of the most famous and effective military leaders of the past century. He produced more results, in less time, with fewer casualties than any other general, in any army during WW2. We as business leaders can learn a great deal from Patton and his effectiveness on the battlefield.

Dates of rank

George Catlett Marshall (December 31, 1880-October 16, 1959), America’s foremost soldier during World War II, served as chief of staff from 1939 to 1945, building and directing the largest army in history.

He was the organizer of victory and the architect of peace during and following World War II. During World War II, Marshall as Army Chief of Staff (1939–1945) was the most important military figure in the U.S. military establishment and of great significance in maintaining the Anglo-American coalition.

Implementation of the Marshall Plan has been cited as the beginning of the Cold War between the United States and its European allies and the Soviet Union, which had effectively taken control of much of central and eastern Europe and established its satellite republics as communist nations.

At the completion of the Marshall Plan period, European agricultural and industrial production were markedly higher, the balance of trade and related “dollar gap” much improved, and significant steps had been taken toward trade liberalization and economic integration.