Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh

Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh was a United States Army Lieutenant General. He served as the operations officer of the U.S. II Corps in Africa during World War II and commanded the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War.

Ferenbaugh was born in Dresden, New York on March 16, 1899. He attended the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1918 and receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.

Having graduated from West Point in November, Ferenbaugh arrived in Europe too late to take part in World War I combat. Like many other junior officers in the same circumstances, he carried out an observation tour of European battlefields, including visits to France, Belgium and Germany.

Ferenbaugh remained in the Army after World War I. He was a 1920 graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, afterwards serving throughout the United States and overseas, including assignments at Fort Benning, Georgia, Vancouver, Washington, and in Hawaii and the Philippines.

In 1932 Ferenbaugh graduated from the Signal School Command Officer Course.

Ferenbaugh graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1937, and from the Army War College in 1940.

After service on the General Staff at the War Department, in 1943 Ferenbaugh was assigned as operations officer, G-3 of the U.S. II Corps, and was responsible for planning and overseeing execution of combat actions during the North African Campaign.

After his assignment with II Corps, Ferenbaugh served as assistant division commander of the 83rd Infantry Division.

Ferenbaugh’s service continued after World War II, including assignment as commander, of the Military District of Washington, chief of staff for the Operation Sandstone atomic tests, and commander at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He also served as president of the National Infantry Association in the late 1940s.

In 1951 Ferenbaugh was named commander of the 7th Infantry Division. His assignment also included membership on the Allied Negotiating Team that negotiated peace terms with North Korea.

LTG Claude B. Ferenbaugh (right), deputy Eighth Army commander, presents a check for $595 to Mrs. On Soon Whang, director of the Orphans' Home of Korea, Cheju Island. Chief of staff BG Dwight E. Beach observes. The check is the semi-annual interest on the orphanage's perpetual support trust fund. Stars and Stripes, March 1, 1955

From July 1953 to December 1954 Ferenbaugh was assigned as chief of staff for U.S. Army, Europe. In 1955 he returned to South Korea as deputy commander of the Eighth United States Army, remaining in this assignment until his 1958 retirement.

Ferenbaugh received multiple awards of the Distinguished Service Medal. He also received the Silver Star twice, the Legion of Merit three times, the Bronze Star twice, two awards of the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

In retirement General Ferenbaugh resided in Washington, D.C. He died at his home on September 10, 1975 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 7, Site 8083 A, RH.