Smith, Walter Bedell (1895–1961)

US soldier and diplomat. From 1942 to 1945 he was Eisenhower's chief of staff, in which position he helped plan and carry out the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Normandy. President Truman appointed him ambassador to the Soviet Union 1946–49 and then director of the Central Intelligence Agency 1950–53. Under President Eisenhower he served as under secretary of state 1953–54.

He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. With no college education, he began as a National Guardsman in 1910. He rose slowly through the ranks of the regular army until Gen. George Marshall brought him to Washington in 1939 to assist in the build-up of the army. In 1942 he was secretary of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.