Born in Fort Monroe, Virginia. Graduate of West Point in 1917. Commissioned lieutenant in 1917. Married Margaret Wilson. They had a daughter and were divorced in 1947. Married Mary Princess Anthony in 1947. They had a son.

Served on the general staff in the War Department 1939 to 1942. Assistant Division Commander of the 82nd Infantry Division; became Divisional Commander in 1942. Promoted to brigadier general and later major general in 1942. Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division 1942 to 1944. They participated in the airborne assault of Sicily in July 1943 and the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. Commander 18th Airborne Corps 1944 to 1945. Promoted to lieutenant general in 1945. Commander Eighth Army in Korea 1950 to 1951. Promoted to full general in 1951. Supreme Allied Commander in Europe 1952 to 1953. Served as Army Chief of Staff 1953 to 1955. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1986. He died at home in Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh.

Ridgway received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service during World War II. The original was presented on behalf of the president by Colin Powell. The obverse design was by T. James Ferrell and reverse was by Chester Martin. Bronze copies were sold to the public in 3 inch (USM 430) and 1.5 inch (USM 431) sizes.

bio: CBY 1947; IntWW 92-93; WAB; WW 93; WWA 76 obit: NYT 7/27/93