This Land Warfare Paper is based on an examination of available primary sources-field orders, after-action reports and personal accounts-reinforced with secondary source analysis. It demonstrates that Ridgway achieved tactical success in World War II in Operations Husky, Neptune and Market but did not adequately apply operational art until Operation Varsity and the Battle of the Bulge. Although he completed all the military education available in his era, it was only after the intense crucible of three combat operations that he was able to apply operational art successfully.

"September 2012"--Cover.

Introduction / Leader development. Education -- Training -- Mentorship / Learning from failure. Operation Husky -- Operation Neptune / Operation Market / Mastering operational art / Battle of the Bulge / Operation Varsity / Conclusion. Implications -- Recommendations / Appendix: key terms and definitions.