Emil F. Reinhardt

Emil Fred Reinhardt (October 27, 1888 – July 24, 1969), U.S. Army officer, who reached the rank of major general during World War II. He is most noted as a commanding officer of the 69th Infantry Division, which became a first unit to contact Soviet Army.

Early years
Emil Fred Reinhardt was born in West Bay City (now Bay City), Michigan on 27 October 1888, the son of Christoph L. Reinhardt and Seyville L. (Tomhafe) Reinhardt. He graduated from Bay City Western High School in 1906 and subsequently he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated in June 1910. He was also commissioned a second lieutenant in infantry on that date.

During World War I, Reinhardt did not see combat service in France, but after the war, he served with the Allied occupation forces in Germany. From 1934-1938, Reinhardt served as an instructor with Pennsylvania National Guard and in 1938, he was transferred to Washington, D.C., as the executive officer of the Washington Provisional Brigade.

World War II
He then served as commander of 20th Infantry Regiment. Reinhardt served in this capacity until April 1941, when he was promoted to brigadier general.

After his promotion, Reinhardt was appointed the assistant division commander of the 7th Infantry Division under command of Major general Charles H. White. His next assignment was at Camp Wolters, Texas, where he was appointed commanding general of the Infantry Replacement Training Center.

In 1942, Reinhardt attended the Divisional Commanders Course at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the was promoted to major general on April 17, 1942 and also appointed the commanding general of 76th Infantry Division.

In September 1944 he was appointed commander of the 69th Infantry Division (United States) at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The division was sent to Europe in December 1944 and entered combat in January 1945 when it relieved the 99th Division in Belgium. The division attacked rapidly eastward. It crossed the Rhine on March 27, 1945, and captured Leipzig in mid-April.

On April 25, 1945, elements of the division reached the Elbe and became the first American unit to contact the Russian Army. After the end of the war the division was placed on occupation duty in Germany.

Major General Reinhardt returned to the United States in August 1945 and commanded the Infantry Replacement Training Center at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. He served in this capacity until September 30, 1946, when he retired from the military service.

For his service during World War II, Major General Reinhardt was awarded with Army Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and Soviet Order of Suvorov, 2nd Class.

Reinhardt died on July 24, 1969 aged 80 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery together with his wife Laura Bishop Reinhardt (1887 - 1965).