"I deeply regret that it becomes my duty as President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States Military Forces to replace you as Supreme Commander."
General Ridgway was named to replace him.
After he came home, was promoted, and retired, I had the unique privilege of coming to know Lieutenant General Edward M. Almond and of having him talk to me—usually in his basement office in his home—at length about his role in the Korean campaign, and his relationships with General of the Army Douglas MacArthur and other members of the Supreme Commander's staff.
One day, when I—and if memory serves, my twelve-year old Boy Scout son Bill—arrived for lunch at General Almond's gracious hillside home in Anniston, Alabama, he met me at the door and handed me a letter he said he had just received.
General Almond was then well into his seventies, but his eyes were still a brilliant blue, and when I looked at him, I thought I saw the beginnings of tears.
The letter was on Marine Corps General Officer's stationery. There were three red stars at the top.
The letter was from Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC.
It began:
MY DEAR GENERAL ALMOND,
ON THE OCCASION OF MY RETIREMENT FROM THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS, I FELT DUTY BOUND TO WRITE TO YOU TO TELL YOU THAT YOU WERE THE FINEST COMBAT COMMANDER UNDER WHOM I WAS EVER PRIVILEGED TO SERVE.
There was more to the letter, now long forgotten, but I shall never forget those opening lines, or General Almond's reaction to them.
W. E. B. Griffin
Pilar, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
6 August 2003