Fillmore K. Mearns
Fillmore Kennady "Ken" Mearns (September 20, 1915 – November 18, 1997) was a United States Army lieutenant general who served as commander of the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War and later as commander of VII Corps in West Germany. Early life Born into a military family in Utah and raised in Berkeley, California, Mearns started at West Point in July 1934 graduating with a B.S. degree and a second lieutenant's commission in June 1938. Military career World War II Following the United States entry into World War II, Mearns graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1942 and transferred to III Corps where he served as assistant Operations officer (G-3). He then served in the same capacity with VI Corps. In November 1943, he was appointed commander of the 3rd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment and led this unit in the invasion of Sicily and the invasion of Italy. Mearns was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on 16/17 January 1944 when his unit was trying to cross the Rapido River during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Postwar Mearns attended Columbia University studying Russian language and Soviet studies. He then served as G-3 of United States