The first full biography of James Ulio, the adjutant general of the U.S. Army in World War II. Major General James A. Ulio never fired a shot in two major wars. He never led troops in battle. However, the Allies could not have won World War II without him. While many families in American would have recognised his name from having seen one of nearly 900,000 telegrams he signed, all of which began We regret to inform you…, as Adjutant-General throughout the war Ulio had a wider role. Through his efforts, the Army increased from in size 200,000 to eight million soldiers
a forty-fold increase in troop strength in less than five years. He led training efforts that quickly and efficiently prepared soldiers. The general correctly projected that those methods would be a positive outcome of the war. His team identified the right slot for incoming troops. He advocated and navigated around lowering the draft age to eighteen. Ulio faced the task of building an Army large enough to fight wars in Europe, North Africa and the Pacific, and in doing so he had to challenge commonly held beliefs on race and gender. It was his order in 1944 that ended segregation on military transportation and in recreational facilities on Army posts. In many ways, he became the face of the Army with his responsibilities for the Public Relations Bureau. Through speeches over radio, newspaper interviews, and public appearances he served as troop morale booster, advocate, and cheerleader for the war effort. Finally, he led demobilisation planning to bring home millions of soldiers after the war. The son of an immigrant career soldier, General Ulio had an eleventh-grade education. He grew up on Army posts as his father, a Civil War veteran, completed forty-years in the Army. A West Point alternate, Ulio enlisted as an Army private in 1900. In 1904 he was a lieutenant. Ulio served in France during World War I. Without a college degree, he graduated from the Army’s Command and Staff School and the Army War College, and served as military aide to two presidents. Five colleges awarded him honorary doctorates. His military career spanned 45 years. Despite his lengthy careerand success in two major wars, General Ulio remains a little known figure in military history. Even the Adjutant General’s Hall of Fame at Fort Jackson, SC does not include Ulio on its list of honorees. This book will give Ulio the credit he is due for his part in World War II. AUTHOR: Air Force veteran Alan Mesches researches World War II human-interest stories. He holds a BA in political science from Grove City (PA) College and a MS in journalism from Ohio University.