Lieutenant General Van Fleet arrives In Greece (24 February 1948)

Lieutenant General Van Fleet arrives In Greece (24 February 1948)

In February 1948, Van Fleet was promoted to lieutenant general and sent to Greece as the head of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group and executor of the "Truman Doctrine" arriving in Athens on the 24th February 1948. He was instrumental in the outcome of the war with the Greek Communist rebels, who were supported by Yugoslavia and other Communist nations, by providing advice to the Greek government and 250 military advisers, as well as administering $400 million in military aid. The "VAN FLEET central square in the northern Greek city of Kastoria had a bust erected in his honor in recognition of his services to the Greek nation and its struggle against the Communist insurrection.

NEWSREEL: General Van Fleet, new chief of the military section of AMAG is greeted by officials in Athens, Greece. View of his plane taxiing in. View of Van Fleet alighting and being greeted by General Livesay who he is replacing, Karl Rankin, US Charge d'Affaires, and other military men. Footage of him being introduced to Greek army chiefs by General Livesay. Footage of him as he salutes the Greeks. Footage of him inspecting Greek Guard of Honour. Footage of him with Livesay and other army officers. Footage of him as he enters a car.