Commanding Professionalism: Simpson, Moore, and the Ninth US Army

by William Stuart Nance

When one thinks of influential World War II military figures, five-star generals such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Omar Bradley instantly come to mind. As important as these central figures were to the Second World War, the conflict produced equally effective lower-profile leaders whose influence had an undeniable impact.

Among these leaders are William Simpson, commander of the US Ninth Army, and James Moore, his chief of staff. Working in tandem, the pair helmed a unit that gained recognition as "uncommonly normal," an affectionate designation driven by their steadfast professionalism in all endeavors. It was their unobtrusive leadership style that relegated these career military men to the footnotes of military history.

Commanding Simpson, Moore, and the Ninth US Army corrects this historical oversight by examining the achievements of these overlooked heroes. Focusing on Simpson and Moore's careers from 1940 through the end of World War II, author William Stuart Nance recounts the pair's working relationship. Together, they successfully maneuvered through the squabbling of the American and British forces and developed an army admired for its consistency of conduct and military prowess, capable of resisting the complex external and political machinations of the time.

Simpson and Moore's unflinching devotion to the greater good and their steady handle on the dynamics of command/staff relationships proved essential to the war effort and its ultimate success. Their example, Nance argues, remains aspirational and worthy of emulation in the military command structure of today.

Genres: Nonfiction

210 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

"History Happy Hour 100624 podcast: He never became as celebrated as his fellow commanders George Patton and Omar Bradley, but General William Simpson, commander of the 9th U.S. Army in WWII, built a superb combat record. General Dwight Eisenhower called him brilliant, adding: "If Simpson ever made a mistake as an Army Commander, it never came to my attention." To explore his WWII command record, Chris and Rick will be joined by William Stuart Nance, author of a new book about Simpson and his Chief of Staff James Moore: Commanding Professionalism: Simpson, Moore, and the Ninth US Army. William Stuart Nance is a retired armor officer. He taught history at the United States Military Academy and the United States Command and General Staff College. He is the author of Sabers through the Reich: World War II Corps Cavalry from Normandy to the Elbe.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and informative read on two quiet competent professionals, Generals Simpson and Moore of the Ninth Army. Team players who focused on cooperation and mission accomplishment they are largely unheralded while all the rancor and acrimony in SHAEF between Montgomery and the Americans took all the oxygen out of the room. By the book professionals who believed in solid staff work, teamwork, and always took the high road. These are the leaders that young cadets should be studying.

[Kenneth A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ninth US Army

A completely different view on two different people came together in a professional manner and ran one the US Armies in combat during the second world war !

[Karlen Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have studied either Patton or Bradley and their commands in WWII you should pull down and check it out. Definitely a team that used doctrine to be successful in WWII.