Walter Bedell Smith

Walter Bedell "Beetle" Smith (1895-1961) was a general in the United States Army, who rose to that rank from private in the Army National Guard. He served as chief of staff to Dwight D. Eisenhower as the allied commander of the European Theater of Operations in the Second World War. Representing Eisenhower, he signed the surrender documents with Italy and Germany.

After the war, he served as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Director of Central Intelligence and Undersecretary of State.

Considered efficient but extremely tough as an Army officer, where he was called Eisenhower's "hatchet man", he used his experience running a complex staff, and his close relationship to the President, to bring previously scattered intelligence and special operations organizations under a single chain of command. His postwar service was limited by poor health.