Marshall and McCarthyism

George C. Marshall, the Army chief of staff during World War II, was accused of associating with traitors in part because he had developed a plan to help the nations of Europe, even our enemies, recover from the war? Marshall came under attack in the years immediately following the war, when many Americans felt threatened by world events that included a communist victory in China, the explosion of a nuclear bomb and the domination of Eastern Europe by the Soviet Union, and a full-scale war in Korea. Marshall, as secretary of state and later as secretary of defense under President Harry S. Truman, was subjected to intense personal assaults from those who sought political gain in this climate of fear. 

Marshall and McCarthyism 
Two of Marshall’s harshest critics were U.S. Senators Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin and William Jenner of Indiana. Both men fed the anti-communist hysteria of the era that became known as “McCarthyism.” In one Senate speech Jenner said “General George C. Marshall is a living lie” and asserted that “he is eager to play the role of a front man for traitors.” An even more vicious assault came from McCarthy, who published two books attacking Marshall’s entire career and delivered a 60,000-word Senate speech that accused Marshall of being part of “a conspiracy on a scale so immense as to dwarf any previous such venture in the history of man.” 

Marshall responded to these personal attacks with dignity and honor, even when those he had helped in the past failed to fully support him. When former General Dwight D. Eisenhower was campaigning for president in Wisconsin in 1952, he shared a stage with Senator Joseph McCarthy. Eisenhower planned to deliver a tribute to Marshall’s great accomplishments and a defense of his character. However, on the advice of his political aides, Eisenhower deleted the Marshall tribute from his speech. Marshall, in his gracious and honorable way, never held a grudge against his old friend Eisenhower and rarely spoke of the outrageous accusations that had been made against him. 

GEORGE CATLETT MARSHALL, the Marshall Foundation

GEORGE C. MARSHALL’s contributions to our nation and the world cannot be overstated. He was the organizer of victory and the architect of peace during and following World War II. He won the war, and he won the peace. His characteristics of honesty, integrity, and selfless service stand as shining examples for those who study the past and for those generations who will learn about him in the future. The Marshall Foundation is dedicated to celebrating his legacy.

Marshall’s career touched on many of the key events of the 20th century—as a new Army officer following the Philippine insurrection, as a member of the staff of General of the Armies John J. Pershing during World War I, as U.S. Army Chief of Staff during War World II, as Secretary of State and the architect of European economic recovery following WWII, and as Secretary of Defense during the Korean War. He is the only person to have served in these three highest positions.

During World War II, Marshall as Army Chief of Staff (193

George Marshall and the American Century

George C. Marshall is the only career military officer ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. During his service, during peace and war, he served as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense and President of the Red Cross.