Jens Anderson Doe, Major General, U.S. Army

Jens Anderson Doe was born on 20 June 1891 in Chicago, IL, the son of Dr. Anders and Raganhild Blegen Doe. He attended local schools and Braden’s Preparatory School in Highland Falls, NY. He was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy with the Class of 1914. At West Point he was known as Pang. At graduation on 12 June 1914, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry.
His first operational assignment was with the 11th Infantry Regiment at Texas City, TX; Naco, AZ; and Douglas, AZ. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 1 July 1916. From May to August 1917 he was stationed with the 11th Infantry at Fort Oglethorpe, GA, and while there was promoted to Captain on 15 May. After attending the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA, where he specialized in the Machine Gun Course, and the Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK, CPT Doe returned to Fort Oglethorpe in October 1917 to become, first, an instructor in the division school and, in December 1917, commander of the 15th Machine Gun Battalion.
With the United States entry into World War I, CPT Doe deployed to France in April 1918 for service with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I. Doe was promoted to Major (temporary) on 7 June 1918, and assigned as 5th Division Machine Gun Officer before assuming command of the 14th Machine Gun Battalion in July. MAJ Doe participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, where he was wounded. His gallantry in combat earned him the Silver Star Medal; he also received the Purple Heart. After the Armistice, Doe's career began following the pattern of assignments of a peacetime Army officer, compatible with his rank. Before leaving Europe, he was first an instructor at the Army Machine Gun School at Langres, France, and then instructor in the II Corps Schools.
His next assignment was as an instructor at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA, followed by being a student at the Field Officers Course, also at the Infantry School. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Sheridan, IL. Beginning in mid-July 1923, for the next 2 years he was a Tactical Officer at West Point. After a 1-year course at the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, KS, he spent the next 4 years assigned to the 15th Infantry Regiment at Tientsin, China. Upon returning to the U.S. he first joined the 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jay, NY, then commanded the Machine Gun School of the 1st Brigade at Camp Dix, NJ. Doe then spent a year as a student at the Army War College, graduating in June 1933. He then served 4 years as an instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. His next assignment was as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of California, Berkeley, CA. During the years between the wars his rank steadily advanced: To permanent Major on 1 July 1920, and to Lieutenant Colonel on 1 January 1926.
In September 1940, LTC Doe joined the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord, CA, and assumed command of the 17th Infantry Regiment in February 1941. Promoted to Colonel (temporary) on 26 June 1941, he moved with the 17th Infantry to San Luis Obispo, CA, in April 1942. In June 1942, he was assigned to the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations.
On 21 and 22 January 1943, then-Colonel Doe was serving as Commanding Officer of the 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, in action against Japanese forces near Sanananda, New Guinea. As commander of an infantry regiment engaged in wiping out the remaining points of Japanese resistance, COL Doe distinguished himself with his calm courage under fire. During the reduction of these strongly-fortified areas his outstanding leadership was a continuous inspiration to his troops. COL Doe's presence in the most forward areas was largely responsible for the high morale of his troops and the successful outcome of these operations. COL Doe's courageous actions on those days earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Due to his outstanding leadership in the above action, Doe was promoted to Brigadier General (temporary) on 2 February 1943.
In April 1944, BG Doe was placed in command of a 22,000-man task force built around the 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team and assigned the mission of seizing the airfields in the Aitape-Tadji, New Guinea, area and of preparing them for use by a fighter aircraft group. With excellent planning and swift execution, the amphibious landing was efficiently carried out and the mission accomplished. Three weeks later, again using the 163rd Infantry Regimental Combat Team, reinforced, he led his task force in a brilliant operation resulting in the capture of Wakde Island with its air bases.
After completion of the Wakde-Toem mission, BG Doe rejoined the 41st Infantry Division, reinforced, less the 163rd Infantry, in time to participate in the amphibious operation against the Japanese on Biak Island. During the extremely bloody fighting for possession of the airfields on Biak, he was notified that he was now Commanding General of the 41st Infantry Division. When he received this notification, he was at the front, under enemy fire, supervising the operations to secure the first airfield. For his outstanding leadership on Biak Island, he was awarded the first Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star earned in World War I and promoted to Major General. His citation reads: “As assistant division commander, Brigadier General Doe was given the mission of commanding two assault regiments and coordinating the advance of troops on the air strips. He displayed outstanding leadership and devotion to duty under Japanese machine gun, rifle and mortar fire, and personally moved among forward assault troops. By his calm manner and courageous actions, he greatly assisted the advance toward the Division’s objective."
In 1945, as Commanding General of the 41st Infantry Division, he planned and carried out the highly successful assaults on Zamboanga, Mindanao, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi, in the Southern Philippine Islands and later the attack on central Mindanao. Again his personality had great influence in the successful outcome of these operations. A second Oak Leaf Cluster to the Silver Star was awarded. The citation reads: “For gallantry in action at Zamboanga, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, from 10 March to 23 April 1945. During this time in the capacity of Division Commander, General Doe directed the initial assault and consequent capture of Zamboanga. His outstanding leadership, indomitable courage, and skillful tactical knowledge resulted in his division securing a firm foothold on Mindanao Island. On many occasions without regard for his personal safety, he went forward to units engaged in heavy fighting in order to gain firsthand information about the tactical situation."
After Japan’s surrender, MG Doe moved the 41st Division into the Kiro-Kure-Hiroshima area of western Honshu, Japan, arriving there on 6 October 1945. There he supervised the occupation missions assigned the Division. Upon deactivation of the Division on 31 December 1945, he returned to the United States to rejoin his family from whom he had been absent for nearly four years.
Following his return from Japan and an assignment in Washington to the Army Board, evaluating equipment, MG Doe was placed in command of Fort Campbell, KY. In 1948, he received his permanent commission as Major General. After approximately two years, he was transferred to Fort Ord, CA, where he remained in command until his retirement in February 1949.
Medals, Awards and Badges:
Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster Silver Star Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Purple Heart Air Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Combat Infantryman Badge
Distinguished Service Cross Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) Jens Anderson Doe (ASN: 0-3743), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer of the 163d Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 21 and 22 January, near Sanananda, New Guinea. As commander of an infantry regiment which was engaged in wiping out the remaining points of enemy resistance, Colonel Doe distinguished himself with his coolness and gallantry under fire. In the reduction of these strongly fortified areas his outstanding leadership and courageous conduct were a continuous inspiration to his troops. Colonel Doe's presence in the most forward areas and his disregard of personal danger were largely responsible for the high morale of his troops and the successful outcome of these operations. Colonel Doe's inspiring leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 41st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 36 (1943)
Philippine Legion of Honor (Chief Commander)
The Philippine Government recognized MG Doe's outstanding achievements by awarding him the Philippine Legion of Honor (Chief Commander), a rarely given award. The citation for the award states:
“For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service while holding a position of major responsibility as Commanding General of the 41st Infantry Division, United States Army, from October 1944 to May 1945. With great skill and determined leadership, he led his troops and cleared the enemy from Palawan and then launched thorough and complete operations on Zamboanga and Sulu Archipelago. His indefatigable courage and demonstrated ability manifested at all times filled his men with confidence and provided them with a constant source of inspiration. Major General Doe's command responsibility contributed in a great measure to the eventual liberation of the Philippines, the relief of war-torn regions, the reorganization of civil affairs, and the achievement of operational successes by guerrilla units."
Death and Burial: Major General Jens Anderson Doe died on 24 February 1971. He is buried at the United States Military Academy Post Cemetery in West Point, Orange County, NY, in Section V, Row C, Site 164.
Source: Military Hall of Honor