The years between the two World Wars proved to be both the best of times and the worst of times for Marshall and his nation. Marshall's work at headquarters had helped repair his relationship with General Pershing. After the war ended, the General became both mentor and friend to Marshall. He accompanied the General on a victory tour of Europe and met many world leaders along the way. He traveled to Washington, D.C., where Pershing was appointed head of the entire Army in 1921. Marshall was only 38, yet was making acquaintances with kings, queens and presidents. These years would prove to be an integral step to forming his own future.

After being apart from his wife during World War I, Marshall had several assignments that allowed him to be with his beloved Lily. Washington, D.C. was a fine place to be, but his next assignment in China proved even better. At that time, American businesses were expanding to places all over the world. Marshall was to oversee troops who protected those Americans living in northern China. Together he and Lily enjoyed a comfortable life in the city of Tientsin and Marshall, ever curious, learned how to speak Chinese.

In 1927, Marshall completed his three-year tour of duty and was reassigned to Washington, D.C. as an instructor at the Army War College. His time with Lily had been wonderful, however she suddenly fell ill and, while recovering from surgery, collapsed unexpectedly and died while writing a letter to her mother. The last word she ever wrote was, "George."

Recognizing his grief, friends in the Army arranged for Marshall to begin a new assignment elsewhere. Marshall became head instructor at the Army's largest training school at Fort Benning, Georgia. Fort Benning provided Marshall with new challenges, friends, and allowed him to become acquainted with promising young officers whom he'd later call to leadership in World War II. During his time at Fort Benning, Marshall met Katherine Brown, a former actress and recent widow who had three teenage children. The couple married in 1930, the year Marshall turned 50.

Marshall's personal struggles in the 1920s mirrored broader changes in the life of the nation as well. The United States began the decade happy to be done with war and eager to turn attention to matters of home, however the country was facing a calamity: the Stock Market Crash of 1929. The era of booming economic prosperity was over, and the nation found itself sliding into the Great Depression.

Marshall managed to hold onto his job by taking a pay cut, however he observed the effects of the Depression on those he worked with. Posted to South Carolina in 1933, he observed how difficult it was for enlisted soldiers to support their families on their reduced salaries. Marshall taught them how to grow their own food and supervised thousands of young men employed in a public works project called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The project was part of President Roosevelt's New Deal for economic recovery and gave people jobs that benefited the nation. Planting trees and maintaining parks were among the jobs distributed at workcamps throughout the nation where young men lived and worked, sending money home to their families.

Congress had directed the Army to oversee the CCC operation. Marshall set up 19 camps in the south and supervised 35 in the Pacific Northwest. Many Army officers disliked working with this civilian program because it failed to benefit their military careers. Marshall wanted promotions as well, however he thought beyond himself to the needs of his country and believed the program helped young men become good workers and citizens. Yes, the men were planting trees, but they were also rooting themselves in the values Americans held dear: hard work, teamwork, and service to country. They would keep American democracy strong and healthy, which Marshall saw as much more important than his own personal career.

By 1938, Marshall was seven years away from military retirement. He had served well, but had risen slowly in the ranks. Rules required that the head of the Army be no more than 60 years old when appointed, and with Marshall already 58, his window of opportunity for advancement was shrinking. Thirty other generals were also competing for the job, many of which had higher rank then Marshall. Despite the obstacles, he had one thing in his favor. His new appointment in Washington, D.C. at Army headquarters allowed him to speak with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. World War II had not yet broken out in Europe, however the situation was tense and Roosevelt often consulted with his generals on what best to do.

Marshall had many opportunities to talk with the president, but during one of these meetings, he took a risk that many felt would ruin his chances of ever becoming Chief of Staff. Roosevelt and his generals were discussing the production of 10,000 war planes as a means of self-defense in case war broke out. All were in agreement that these planes should go into production, except Marshall. As a man of integrity, Marshall lived by the truth. The President had not set aside money for all the essential war equipment, supplies, and pilots he would also need. Marshall may have been right, however his candor was misconstrued as disrespect, which many felt would ruin his chances of promotion. However, five months later, Roosevelt chose Marshall as the new Army Chief of Staff. The one-star general had become a four-star general.

Marshall, Katherine Tupper
Together: Annals of an Army Wife
New York: Tupper and Love, 1946
Mrs. Marshall's autobiography, which covers the years 1930 to 1945, was begun after the General departed for his mission to China in late 1945 and completed after she joined him there. General Marshall edited the manuscript in China, and in some instances reduced her defense of his actions. The book was widely reprinted in the late-1940ís, and there are several editions.

Pogue, Forrest C.
George C. Marshall
4 vols., New York: Viking, 1963-87
Vol II, Ordeal and Hope, 1939-1942