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Soldier, Statesman Buried In Arlington National Cemetery
(March 5, 2010) | 
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Gen. Alexander M. Haig delivers a speech at RAF Lakenheath,
England, June 1, 1977, when he was the supreme allied commander of Europe.
Photo by Staff Sgt. William Hogan |
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WASHINGTON (ANS, March 2, 2010) -- The Army
mourned the loss of a decorated four-star
general turned statesman March 2 as Gen.
Alexander Haig was laid to rest at Arlington
National Cemetery.
Haig, who served as the U.S. secretary of state
under President Ronald Reagan and the White
House chief of staff under presidents Richard
Nixon and Gerald Ford, died Feb. 20 at the age
of 85.
In a statement following the announcement of
Haig's death, President Barack Obama expressed
his gratitude for Haig's service to the country,
calling Haig "a great American who served our
country with distinction."
"General Haig exemplified our finest
warrior-diplomat tradition of those who dedicate
their lives to public service," Obama said.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr.
echoed the president's appreciation for the Army
officer turned public servant. |
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"Our Army family has lost a great Soldier and statesman who selflessly devoted
his life's work to the service of our nation," Casey said. "We honor General
Haig for his most distinguished service, and will always remember him as the
Soldier who -- when the nation called -- never failed to answer."
Haig's Army service spanned more than three decades. As a Soldier, he served in
the Korean and Vietnam wars. Later, Haig served as the Army vice chief of staff,
from where he helped lead efforts in the transition to an all-volunteer force. |
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Haig began his military career at the United States Military Academy at West
Point, N.Y. After graduating in 1947, he was stationed in Japan where he served
on the staff of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It was also in Japan that he met his
wife, Patricia Fox .In the years that followed, Haig advanced through the
ranks, serving at the Pentagon as the military assistant to both the secretaries
of the Army and defense. He served combat tours in both Korea and Vietnam, and
was named regimental commander of the third regiment of the Corps of Cadets at
West Point.
In the late 1960s, Haig was asked to serve as the military adviser on the
National Security Council under President Richard Nixon, and later as the White
House chief of staff.
Haig's final positions in the Army included serving as the seventh Supreme
Allied Commander in Europe, commander of NATO forces in Europe, and Commander in
Chief of United States European Command. Shortly before retiring in 1979, Haig
survived an assignation attempt in Mons, Belgium.
Adm. James Stavridis, commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied
Commander Europe, remembered Haig in a recent posting to his blog.
"I met General Haig several times in the course of my career, and he was sharply
intelligent, decisive in his opinions, and deeply grounded in U.S. European
relations," Stavridis wrote. "He will be missed by all who served with him and
remember him today in the NATO alliance."
Throughout his career, Haig was awarded the Presidential Service Badge;
Distinguished Service Cross; the Army |
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March 2, 2010 - The
caparisoned horse named Omar, during the funeral
procession for Gen. Alexander M. Haig Jr.,
former United States Secretary of State. Black
riding boots are reversed in the stirrups to
represent a fallen leader looking back on his
troops for the last time. "I am proud and
honored to take part in such a prestigious
ceremony and I am happy to have the opportunity
to do this," said Spc. Rylynd Johnson, the
caparisoned horse walker. Omar is a 20 year old
retired race horse from Wallkill, New York.
Photo by Alex McVeigh, Pentagram Staff Writer |
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Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit
with two oak leaf clusters; Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf
clusters; Bronze Star with valor and two oak leaf clusters; and the Purple
Heart. |
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| March 2, 2010 -- Soldiers of the 3rd U.S. Infantry lower the casket of Gen. Alexander Haig
into its final resting place in section 30 of Arlington National Cemetery.
Photo by Alex McVeigh, Pentagram Staff Writer |
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Haig is survived by his wife Patricia Fox Haig; his
children: Alexander P. Haig, Brian F. Haig, Barbara E. Haig;
and eight grandchildren. |
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By Army News Service
Copyright 2010
Reprinted from
Army News Service
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