- Born
- Died
- Nickname
- Beetle
- As a brigadier general, Walter Bedell Smith was chief of staff in Europe to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of Allied forces in Europe during World War II, and he was the man who negotiated first the surrender of Italy and then of Germany. He was U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1946 to 1949 and Director of Central Intelligence from 1951 to 1953. He retired from the army in 1953, and was appointed Undersecretary of State.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bill Takacs <kinephile@aol.com>
- SpouseMary Eleanor Cline(July 1, 1917 - August 9, 1961) (his death)
- Was overzealous in his loyalty towards Dwight Eisenhower.
- Took sadistic pleasure in torturing officers whom he deemed were too professional soldiers via his unlimited paperwork authority, particularly General George Patton.
- He is referred to, by name, in Winston Churchill's V-E Day speech, 8 May 1945.
- Documentaries usually give the pronunciation of his name as "Be-DELL". More informed sources appear to favour the pronunciation "BEE-dle".
- U.S. Army general during World War II.
- U.S. Ambassador to Soviet Union (1946-1949).
- Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1950-1953).
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