United States Army General. As operating vice-president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, he was recognized the nation’s leading authority in transportation at the outbreak of World War I. By appointment of President Woodrow Wilson and request of General John J. Perishing, he was made Director-General of Transportation for the United States Armed Forces in France. In this capacity, he was commissioned a Brigadier General in the United States Army in charge of construction, operation of railroads and port facilities. He reorganized the European Railroad network to create rapid movement of Allied Forces that contributed in the victory of the war. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, the English Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, the Srbis Order of the White Eagle and the Roumania Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown. Discharged on May 31, 1919, he returned to the Pennsylvania Railroad as Vice-President of operations on March 1, 1920 and became President on October 1, 1925. He was referred to as "The Railroad General" and in remained in position until his death from Apoplexy.
United States Army General. As operating vice-president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, he was recognized the nation’s leading authority in transportation at the outbreak of World War I. By appointment of President Woodrow Wilson and request of General John J. Perishing, he was made Director-General of Transportation for the United States Armed Forces in France. In this capacity, he was commissioned a Brigadier General in the United States Army in charge of construction, operation of railroads and port facilities. He reorganized the European Railroad network to create rapid movement of Allied Forces that contributed in the victory of the war. For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor, the English Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, the Srbis Order of the White Eagle and the Roumania Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown. Discharged on May 31, 1919, he returned to the Pennsylvania Railroad as Vice-President of operations on March 1, 1920 and became President on October 1, 1925. He was referred to as "The Railroad General" and in remained in position until his death from Apoplexy.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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William Wallace Atterbury
Geneanet Community Trees Index
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William Wallace Atterbury
U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current
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William Wallace Atterbury
1930 United States Federal Census
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William Wallace Atterbury
1920 United States Federal Census
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William Wallace Atterbury
1880 United States Federal Census
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