Major General Albert W. Waldron
U.S. Army, World War I & World War II

Background
Albert Whitney Waldron was born January 13, 1892 to parents Dr George Waldron and Alta Eudora (née Whitney) Waldron. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point class of 1915 and graduated 32nd in the class of 164.

On June 12, 1915 commissioned in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-3795. His first assignment was with the 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Texas City, Texas and later Brownsville, Texas until March 1916 and participated in the Pancho Villa Expedition. On July 1, 1916 promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant and returned from Mexico in October 1916 then was stationed in Eagle Pass, Texas.

World War I
On May 15, 1917 promoted to the rank of Captain. In May 1917 assigned to the 7th Field Artillery Regiment and sent overseas as part of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and served on the western front until the end of World War I then returned to the United States.

Interwar Years
On May 9, 1936 promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On July 1, 1941 promoted to the rank of Colonel.

World War II
On January 1, 1942 became Commanding Officer Artillery, 7th Infantry Division (7th ID). During February 1942 became Commanding Officer Artillery, 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division". On February 16, 1942 promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and sent overseas to Australia.

During November 1942 during preparations for the Battle of Buna, Waldron managed to transport artillery pieces by air and small boats to provide artillery support the Buna area.

On November 15, 1942 during the night, Waldron was aboard a small ship that transported two Australian guns to the front line area.

On November 16, 1942 in the afternoon, Waldron was aboard a captured Japanese barge transporting two 25 pounders guns, their crews plus supplies and ammunition with three small ships: Minnamurra, Bonwin, Alacrity bound for Hariko were targeted by a Japanese air raid by Zeros and Val dive bombers from 582 Kokutai that strafed and bombed causing the ships to catch fire and explode with 24 killed. Waldron managed to escape and swam ashore.

By November 26, 1942 the entire Allied artillery available in the Buna area were three 3.7" howitzers, six 25 pounders and a single 105mm howitzer were available for artillery support.

On December 2, 1942 at 9:30am General Robert L. Eichelberger with Capt. Daniel K. Edwards, General Harding, General Waldron and other senior officers left Dobodura bound for the Urbana Front but after traveling only a short distance by jeep were forced to walk forward and at 11:40am arrived at the command post of Col. Mott after the Japanese repulsed a series of U.S. attacks. That same day, Waldron relieved General Harding as commander of the 32nd Infantry Division (32nd ID) "Red Arrow Division" and the headquarters merged with I Corps to become the Buna Task Force headquartered near Simemi.

On December 4, 1942 Waldron drew up plans for an attack the next morning a dual advanced by "Warren Foce" plus Australian soldiers supported by artillery, U.S. aircraft and five Bren Gun carriers against Japanese positions in the vicinity of Duropa Plantation and New Strip while "Urbanda Force" with support would attack towards Buna Village.

On December 5, 1942 during the attack, General Eichelberger and General Waldron spent the entire day at the front line. At 10:15am the Generals and other senior officers were at the command post of Col. Grose. During the day's fighting, many were wounded and leadership became disorganized. To rally his men, Waldron joined F Company, 128th Infantry Regiment (128th IR) at the center right of the line and was wounded in the shoulder, reportedly by a sniper and immediately evacuated. Waldron was the second U.S. Army General wounded in the Battle of Buna. He was succeeded by his chief of staff Brigadier General Clovis E. Byers.

For his actions, he later earned the the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and Purple Heart. Afterwards, flown to Brisbane to the the U.S. Army 42nd General Hospital in Stuartholme School in Toowong to recover from his wounds. In the middle or late December 1942, the three wounded Generals were photographed seated together.

On December 25, 1942 promoted to the rank of Major General. On January 17, 1943 he returned to to combat as Chief of Staff of Advance New Guinea Force under the command of Eichelberger and by the end of the month returned to Australia.

When he recovered, became the Chief of Ground Requirements Section, Army Ground Forces to develop arms and equipment. On August 1, 1943 demoted to Colonel and became assistant chief. He continued to serve in the same capacity until the end of World War II until retirement. For his service between March 1944 to October 1945 he earned the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). Waldron continue to serve in this capacity until the end of World War II and until his retirement.

Postwar
On May 31, 1946 promoted to the rank of Major General and the same day retired from military service.

Memorials
Byers died June 21, 1961 at age 69. On July 26, 1961 he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 30, grave 2048-RH.

Awards
Pancho Villa Expedition: Mexican Service Medal
World War I: French Croix de Guerre with palm and Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) earned July 9, 1918
World War II: Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) and Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) oak leaf cluster earned December 5, 1942 and and Purple Heart.

References
Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY (1950) page 191
Army Ordnance "Ordnance in Jungle Warfare" by Maj. General Albert W. Waldron XXVI (May-June 1944) page 520
U.S. Army in World War II Victory in Papua Foreword page ix
U.S. Army in World War II Victory in Papua Chapter XI I Corps Reaches the Front pages 204 (Governor General's Residence) 208, 209, 211, 212 footnotes 53, 66 and 68
U.S. Army in World War II Victory in Papua Chapter XIII Buna: The Second Two Weeks pages 241-244 (December 5, 1942), 246 (artillery), 258 (photo) footnotes 2, 7, 25, 27, 34, 35
U.S. Army in World War II Chapter XIX The Victory pages 375, 377, footnote 21
U.S. Army in World War II Victory in Papua Bibliographical Note pages 381, 382
U.S. Army in World War II Index page 409 (Waldron)
U.S. Army in World War II Special Studies Index page 656 (Waldron)
The Army Air Forces in World War II: IV The Pacific Chapter IV The Papuan Campaign page 123 footnote
Reports of General MacArthur: Chapter IV Clearing of Papua page 92
Reports of General MacArthur: Footnotes Chapter IV footnote 47
American Forces in Action: Papuan Campaign The Buna-Sanananda Operation: Battering at Buna (19 November-14 December) pages 32, 37, 41
U.S. Army in World War II The Ordnance Department: On Beachhead and Battlefront pages 13, 71 (boats to Pongani), 72 (Hariko), 73 (November 16, 1942 air raid), 76 footnote 23, 86, 522 (index Waldron) [PDF]
U.S. Government Manual 1945 War Department page 250 (Army Ground Forces)
Hall of Valor - Albert Whitney Waldron (award citations)
Arlington National Cemetery (ANC Explorer) - Albert W. Waldron (grave photos)
FindAGrave - MG Albert Whitney Waldron (photos, grave photo)
Red Arrow Across the Pacific (2024) pages 96-97 (assigned as artillery chief), 177-178 (November 16, 1942 air raid), 191-192 (November 27, 1942), 198-200 (C.O. 32nd ID), 211 (December 5, 1942 WIA), 484 (index Waldron)

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