United States Army General. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1898, was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant, and saw service in both Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish American War. During World War I, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Infantry Division and Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his superior performance. Ford continued his Army career after the war, serving as commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment from 1924 to 1926 and Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army's Military Intelligence Division from 1927 to 1930. He attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1930, Major General in 1936, and Lieutenant General in 1939, carrying out command assignments including the 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, the Department of the Philippines, and the Second Army. As commander of the Second Army, he oversaw execution of large-scale maneuvers and exercises by active Army and National Guard troops that enhanced their readiness in anticipation of World War II. General Ford retired upon reaching mandatory retirement age in January 1941. During World War II, he assisted John F. O'Ryan, the World War I commander of the 27th Infantry Division, during O'Ryan's assignment as New York State's Civil Defense Director. Ford died at the Army's Carlisle Barracks while en route to John F. Kennedy's inaugural.
United States Army General. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1898, was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant, and saw service in both Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish American War. During World War I, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Infantry Division and Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Division, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his superior performance. Ford continued his Army career after the war, serving as commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment from 1924 to 1926 and Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army's Military Intelligence Division from 1927 to 1930. He attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1930, Major General in 1936, and Lieutenant General in 1939, carrying out command assignments including the 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, the Department of the Philippines, and the Second Army. As commander of the Second Army, he oversaw execution of large-scale maneuvers and exercises by active Army and National Guard troops that enhanced their readiness in anticipation of World War II. General Ford retired upon reaching mandatory retirement age in January 1941. During World War II, he assisted John F. O'Ryan, the World War I commander of the 27th Infantry Division, during O'Ryan's assignment as New York State's Civil Defense Director. Ford died at the Army's Carlisle Barracks while en route to John F. Kennedy's inaugural.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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