General George Marshall's Leadership - Essay Example

U.S Presidents and Congressional members as well as world leaders admired Marshall because of his abiding sense of fair play, integrity and trustworthiness. General Marshall was the backbone of the ground and air forces, which helped the Allies fight the Axis powers in the most devastating war the world, had witnessed till then. But, surprisingly, Marshall was a man of peace and detested war. Post war when he was the Secretary of State, he forwarded the proposal of rebuilding the economy of Europe and pushed for peace.

He is remembered more for the Marshall Plan, which saved Europe and other countries after the war. His character and accomplishments were so continuously extraordinary that he is regularly bracketed in the same category as George Washington. His statesmanship, leadership, selflessness, sense of duty and honor were so exceptional that he continues to be a role model for soldiers as well as civilians even today. Right from the humble soldier to the powerful president, everyone venerates him and his career and life is exemplary.

President Harry S. Truman thought of George Marshall as ‘the greatest man he knew’. According to Winston Churchill, "There are few men whose qualities of mind and character have impressed me so deeply as those of General Marshall . He is a great American, but he is far more than that . He has always fought victoriously against defeatism, discouragement and disillusion. Succeeding generations must not be allowed to forget his achievements and his example." (Soldier-Statesman)-high praise indeed from a man considered being one of the greatest leaders of the world himself.

George Catlett Marshall was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania on the 31st of December, 1880. He lived with his parents till 1901. He was the youngest of the four children and was a shy and reserved youth. He went to the Virginia Military institute in Lexington, Virginia from September 1897-June 1901 and majored in civil