Garrison B. Coverdale

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Garrison Barkley Coverdale (July 12, 1905 Arizona - June 8, 1988 Columbus, Georgia) was a US Army Officer.

Coverdale was promoted to the rank of Major General on June 13, 1953. From August 3, 1961 to June 30, 1962, Coverdale was Chief, Intelligence Corps.

General Coverdale is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

I was stationed at Fort Holabird in 1963. There was a story circulating that the general had been captured by the Japanese in the Philippine Islands. During the Bataan Death March he was supposedly butt-stoked in the throat which accounted for his hoarse sounding voice. Only recently did I discover through the internet that the general did not serve in the Pacific. The truth about his raspy voice is far less dramatic. He was kicked in the throat by a horse or mule while serving as a young artillery officer at Ft, Sill, OK.

While awaiting my course to begin at Fort Holabird, I was assigned as a "tester" for the annual physical examination of officers. Officers had the option of either running around the track for a distance of one mile or running in place for a set time period. Most chose to run in place.

During one afternoon it was reported that General Coverdale would be arriving for the test. Everyone suddenly disappeared behind the nearest tree or building. A staff car arrived and the general stepped out - wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants. After telling him his options, the general huffed and began his run around the track. Needless to say, he passed that part of the test and I dutifully signed his form.