Messinger, Edwin J. (Edwin John), 1907-1965

Edwin John Messinger (b. March 1, 1907, Kingston, New York-d. Jan. 1965), U.S. Army officer, graduated from West Point in 1931. In his early career he served with the 28th Infantry, the 15th Infantry in China, and was an instructor and assistant master at the Military Academy (later he also served as commandant of cadets at West Point from 1954 to 1956. During World War II, he was assistant chief of staff for operations and artillery commander, 17th Airborne Division. He was chief of the U.S. Military Mission to Costa Rica from 1946 to 1949. In the 1950s, he served with the 23rd Infantry Regiment in Korea; was commander, 9th Infantry Regiment in Korea; assistant commander, 24th Infantry Division in Japan; and commanding general, 25th Division, U.S. Army Pacific.