The Uniform of U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ferdinand Unger
$775.00
The khaki tropical weight wool uniform is comprised of the tunic and matching trousers. The uniform exhibits some spots and signs of wear, but it is quite clean overall. The tunic bears the rank insignia of a Lieutenant General on each shoulder, while the upper left breast shows the ribbons of the medals and decorations awarded to General Unger during his career. The matching trousers are similarly clean, and overall the uniform is in very good condition.
General Unger was born in Pittsburgh and briefly attended the University of Pittsburgh. He then transferred to the United States. Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1937.
During World World War II Unger commanded a field artillery battalion in Europe. After the war he served as commanding general of infantry divisions in Germany and of Korea. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Unger served as operations director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
From November 1966 to January 1969 Unger served as High Commissioner of the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands.
During this time he became the first High Commissioner to begin the process of granting more power to the people of the Ryukyu Islands. In his first meeting with the Ryukyu Legislature, he stated a willingness to rescind ordinances passed by his predecessors on the grounds that the legislature pass similar laws to handle the problems the ordinances covered.
After consulting with local people, he also pushed the United States. Government to allow the direct election of the Chief Executive of the Government of the Ryukyu Islands. This resulted, in 1968, in the election of Chobyo Yara, a reform candidate who served until 1972 when control of Okinawa was given back to Japan.
After leaving Okinawa Unger served as plans and policy director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff until his retirement in 1970.
He later served as governor of the United States Soldiers and Airmen’s Home in Washington, District of Columbia He died on January 31, 1999 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His honors included two Distinguished Service Medals, five Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars and two Army Commendation Medals.