Bedell Smith, Walter (1895–1961)

US general; Eisenhower's staff officer for much of World War II. Among his many achievements was the negotiation of the Italian surrender 1943 and the surrender of German forces in northwestern Europe 1945.

A staff officer who had risen from the ranks, in 1941 he became secretary to the joint chiefs of staff and US secretary of the Anglo-American combined chiefs of staff. He became chief of staff to General Eisenhower September 1942 and remained in this post until the end of the war.