George C. Marshall

Marshall was appointed Chief of Staff of the US Army on September 1, 1939, the day Germany invaded Poland. He oversaw the massive expansion and modernization of the US Army from a small peacetime force to a global fighting force of over 8 million soldiers.

As Chief of Staff, Marshall was instrumental in planning and executing the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He coordinated the massive logistical effort and troop deployments that enabled the successful landings and the subsequent liberation of Western Europe.

As Secretary of State, Marshall proposed the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan) in a speech at Harvard University. The plan provided over $12 billion in economic aid to rebuild Western European economies after World War II, countering Soviet influence and fostering economic recovery.

Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the Marshall Plan and his efforts to promote post-war reconstruction and international cooperation. He was the first professional soldier to receive the prize.