Edward L. Rowny
better scientists, and even the chief scientists of the labs which received the highest
ratings.
All in all, the management of the Army's labs was one of the most fascinating and
most rewarding of my experiences.
Q ..
I understand you left the R&D job after about ten months. What were the
circumstances of your departure?
Commanding General, I Corps
A
What happened was that General Harold K. Johnson retired as the Army chief of
staff and was replaced by General William C. Westmoreland.
One of
Westmoreland's first official acts, in fact on his first day in office, he called me in
and asked if I would like to be promoted to lieutenant general and take command
of I Corps in Korea. I said I would be delighted to do so and was immediately
placed on orders to Korea.
Q ..
Had you known Westmoreland personally? Why did he act so quickly to promote
you?.
A
No, I did not know Westmoreland personally. I had, as do most general officers,
l
become acquainted with other general officers and I had met him on a few official
and social occasions. We got on quite well. Later, after he had promoted me, I
learned that Westmoreland knew of my difficulties with Johnson and had told
several people that I had been treated shabbily. He was enthusiastic about air
mobility and believed that I had a hand in bringing it to fruition. I also heard that
he felt my work on FRELOC deserved recognition. As a result, he apparently felt
I had been treated unfairly and wanted to correct the injustice.
Q ..
Ambassador Rowny, you left research and development as deputy chief and went
to Korea to become the commanding general of I Corps, United States Army from
July of 1970 until June of 1971. What did that job entail?
A
That job entailed commanding all Korean and United States troops along the
western half of the DMZ, the demilitarized zone. The eastern portion of the DMZ
was under the command of the ROK First Army. I was in command of the more
sensitive part of the DMZ because the two capitals-Seoul and Pyongyang-are in
the west. Also, this is the area which includes the easier avenues of approach since
the east was mountainous. In short, I Corps defended the more vital sector. I had
Previous Page
