McNarney, Joseph

McNarney, Joseph (Taggart)

(1893–1972) aviator; born in Emporium, Pa. He graduated from West Point in 1915, attended aviation school the following year, and took command of the 1st Aero Squadron in France in August 1917. After serving in various staff and line posts during the interwar years, McNarney became deputy chief of staff under George Marshall in March 1942. Considered dour and colorless but effective, he served as deputy supreme allied commander in the Mediterranean (1944) and succeeded George Patton as commander of U.S. forces in Europe (1945). McNarney retired in 1952 to become president of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft, later the Convair Division of General Dynamics Corp.