US Army Brigadier General. He was the second general officer who was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa, Japan during the final stages of World War II. He entered military service with the Texas National Guard in 1910 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in July 1912. In 1916 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). He participated in the Pancho Villa Expedition under General Pershing and served with the Texas National Guard on the Mexican Border Patrol. He then served for three years in Manila, Philippines, followed by several stateside tours and training at the US Army Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After graduating from the US Army War College, Washington DC in 1940, he served on the War Department General Staff. Following the US entry into World War II, he was assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana as commander of the 325th Infantry Regiment. After his promotion to the rank of brigadier general, he became the Assistant Division Commander of the 96th Infantry Division (Deadeyes) and was sent with his unit to the Pacific Theater of Operations and participated in the Battle of Leyte, Philippines in late 1944. In June 1945 he saw action at the Battle of Okinawa and while directing fire on enemy positions in the final phase of the battle, he was killed by an enemy sniper at the age of 53. Among his military award and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart (with one oak leaf cluster), the Mexican Service Medal, the Mexican Border Service Medal, the World War I Victory Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with three service stars), the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Defense Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal (with two stars), and the Presidential Unit Citation. Originally interred at Okinawa, his remains were later moved to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. A memorial marks the spot where he was killed in action.
US Army Brigadier General. He was the second general officer who was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa, Japan during the final stages of World War II. He entered military service with the Texas National Guard in 1910 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in July 1912. In 1916 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). He participated in the Pancho Villa Expedition under General Pershing and served with the Texas National Guard on the Mexican Border Patrol. He then served for three years in Manila, Philippines, followed by several stateside tours and training at the US Army Command and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After graduating from the US Army War College, Washington DC in 1940, he served on the War Department General Staff. Following the US entry into World War II, he was assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana as commander of the 325th Infantry Regiment. After his promotion to the rank of brigadier general, he became the Assistant Division Commander of the 96th Infantry Division (Deadeyes) and was sent with his unit to the Pacific Theater of Operations and participated in the Battle of Leyte, Philippines in late 1944. In June 1945 he saw action at the Battle of Okinawa and while directing fire on enemy positions in the final phase of the battle, he was killed by an enemy sniper at the age of 53. Among his military award and decorations include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart (with one oak leaf cluster), the Mexican Service Medal, the Mexican Border Service Medal, the World War I Victory Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with three service stars), the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Defense Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal (with two stars), and the Presidential Unit Citation. Originally interred at Okinawa, his remains were later moved to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. A memorial marks the spot where he was killed in action.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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