John McAuley Palmer (1870-1955)

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John McAuley Palmer (1870-1955) was a soldier and administrator in the United States Armed Forces. Commissioned in the Infantry in 1892, Palmer saw service at several American posts and garrisons. In overseas duty he was an administrator during the Cuban occupation, a member of the China Relief Expedition, and a district governor in the Philippines. His field service culminated in the command of the 58th Infantry Brigade in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that helped to end World War I.

As the principal formulator of military policy following World War I, he was the guiding force in the creation of the National Defense Act of 1920. It was this Act which reaffirmed America's reliance upon the citizen-soldier for her defense and established the "Total Army" composed of the Regular Army, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve.

In retirement, General Palmer continued to champion the cause of military service. He wrote numerous books and articles about military policy. He was recalled to active duty just prior to the Pearl Harbor attack and served as an advisor to the War Department General Staff throughout World War II.

Palmer's grandfather, also named John McAuley Palmer, was a general during the American Civil War and a governor of Illinois.