George C. Marshall

George C. Marshall, one of the great American statesmen of this century, played a crucial role in international affairs from 1939 to 1951. As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 1939 to 1945, he was, in the words of Winston Churchill, the "true architect of victory" in the West European arena of World War II. As Secretary of State from 1947 to 1949, he had the vision to make the Marshall Plan the vehicle for the economic reconstruction of Europe. Marshall's belief that America's security and continued economic growth were inextricably linked to Europe's well-being formed the cornerstone of his Plan. When it became evident that the gap between Eastern and Western Europe would not be bridged, and that the Western European states feared for their safety, Marshall was one of the leaders who created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization which would ensure the security of the West. In his last official position as Secretary of Defense during 1950-51, Marshall oversaw the formation of an international force, under the United Nations, that turned back the North Korean invasion of South Korea.

Although he spent most of his life in the U.S. military, Marshall is best remembered as a true internationalist who sought peace for the world through cooperation and understanding among nations. It was a fitting tribute to a splendid career spent pursuing this ideal that Marshall received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1953. 

What's in a Name?

Learn more about our school's namesake in this video produced for Fairfax County Public Schools’ cable television channel Red Apple 21.