Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star (2)Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (3)Purple Heart Commander of the Order of the British Empire (Australia) Military Merit Medal (Philippines) Lieutenant General Clovis Ethelbert Byers (5 November 1899 – 13 December 1973) was a United States Army officer who served in the first half of the 20th century.

He is best known for his role as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Army in the South West Pacific Area during World War II and in the occupation of Japan.

He was wounded while leading American troops from the front at the Battle of Buna-Gona, and also played an important part in the fighting at Lone Tree Hill, Biak, and the Philippines campaign (1944–45).

[1] Byers spent four months visiting military schools in England, France, and Germany prior to attending the U.S. Army War College from September 1939 to June 1940.

[1] In February 1942, Byers became chief of staff of Major General Robert L. Eichelberger's newly reactivated 77th Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Byers would form a close working relationship with Eichelberger, who had also attended Ohio State where he too had been a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.

[3] The I Corps headquarters staff moved to Brisbane by air in August 1942, travelling on the same aircraft as former United States Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Peter Fraser.

[1] When the Battle of Buna-Gona started going badly, General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander, South West Pacific Area, decided to send I Corps headquarters to the front in Papua.

[6] In an attack on 5 December, Waldron was shot in the shoulder by a Japanese sniper,[7] and Byers succeeded him as commander of the troops in the field.

[1] I Corps headquarters remained at Rockhampton, Queensland, in the training role until March 1944, when it moved to Goodenough Island, where it prepared and staged for Operations RECKLESS and PERSECUTION.

As Chief of Staff, General Byers performed outstanding and meritorious services in coordinating the several planning units during the preparation for an amphibious operation.

During the combat phase of this operation his unremitting tact and energy were responsible for the prompt installation and subsequent forward displacement of the task force headquarters with a minimum of confusion and delay.

Troops of the HURRICANE Task Force, dispirited by three weeks of vicious fighting, were in a critical condition in the Sump area on Biak Island.

The disheartened American troops were inspired by General Byers' conspicuous bravery and his disregard of danger instilled with them the spirit vital to victory.

This citation read: For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations at Biak Island, Southwest Pacific Area, during the period 15–26 June 1944.

His sagacity, unusual initiative and skillful planning were of inestimable assistance in directing operations during the Papuan and New Guinea campaigns.

Through his diligence, sound judgment and wide experience, General Byers solved innumerable problems and contributed substantially to the success of offensive operations.

General Byers sound judgement, untiring efforts and tactful coordination contributed in a large measure to the success of the operation.

According to his citation, Byers: Performed meritorious and distinguished service in the Southwest Pacific Area and Japan from January to October 1945.

To plan and coordinate his duties as chief of staff of an army, General Byers made numerous flights to various parts of the Philippine Islands contacting subordinate commanders and gaining first hand information on the progress of operations.

For his services in Japan, Byers was awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Legion of Merit: For exceptionally meritorious service from October 1945 to January 1948 as Chief of Staff of Eighth Army, he displayed exceptional executive, administrative and organizational abilities, and was instrumental in maintaining a smoothly functioning organization despite the many complicated situations which arose in connection with the occupation of Japan.

In July 1951, Byers replaced Major General Edward Almond as commander of X Corps, then engaged in combat in Korea.