Soldier, statesman, peacemaker

The extraordinary leadership qualities of a great but unsung hero.No list of the greatest people of the 20th century is complete without General George C. Marshall. Winston Churchill called him the "organizer of victory" and "the last great American." President Harry Truman referred to him as the "great one of the age." Tom Brokaw called him the "godfather" of "the greatest generation." Even so, many people know Marshall's name without being able to recall his many astonishing accomplishments. Among them: He personally trained future generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Ridgeway, Patton, and others As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army before and during World War II, he oversaw its expansion from a small, homeland defense force-smaller than Bulgaria's-into the mightiest army ever assembled. As Secretary of State, he introduced the "Marshall Plan," which literally rescued Europe after the war. He was the first professional soldier ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize and was twice named Time's Man of the Year.Marshall's extraordinary career reflects unparalleled leadership traits and consummate skills, among them vision, candor, a commitment to action, the ability to listen and learn, and not least, selflessness.