en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_class_the_stars_fell_on
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Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater of Operations (1944–1945)
This overstates McNarney’s role. In 1944–45 he was the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean; he only became acting supreme allied commander in September 1945.
Full reasoning
The claim says Joseph T. McNarney was the Supreme Allied Commander of the Mediterranean Theater in 1944–1945, but contemporary and official sources describe a different role.
A U.S. Air Force biography says McNarney went to Europe in October 1944 as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean Theater and that he became acting supreme allied commander only in September 1945. A May 28, 1945 official caption preserved by the National WWII Museum also identifies McNarney as “Deputy Supreme Commander, Mediterranean Theater” and Field Marshal Harold R. L. G. Alexander as “Supreme Commander.”
So for 1944 and most of 1945, McNarney was not the supreme allied commander; he was the deputy, and only briefly became acting supreme allied commander later in 1945.
3 sources
- GENERAL JOSEPH T. MCNARNEY > Air Force > Biography Display
He went to Europe as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean Theater ... He was promoted to full general in March 1945 and in September became acting supreme allied commander of the Mediterranean Theater.
- American General Joseph T. McNarney shaking hands with British Field Marshall Harold R.L.G. Alexander, Italy, 28 May 1945 | The Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum
Official Caption: '... U.S. Gen. Joseph T. McNarney (left), Deputy Supreme Commander, Mediterranean Theater, shakes hands with Field Marshal Sir Harold R.L.G. Alexander, Supreme Commander ...'
- US Army, Darby Military Community representatives paid respect to WWII Hero | Article | The United States Army
Giuliano Ciaponi was awarded a certificate of commendation by Commanding General of United States Army Mediterranean Theater Gen. Joseph T. McNarney.