Robert Bruce McCoy

Robert Bruce Mccoy
Nickname "Bob"
Born September 5, 1867(1867-09-05)
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Died January 21, 1926(1926-01-21) (aged 58)
Sparta, Wisconsin
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch National Guard
Years of service 1898–1926
Rank Major General
Commands held 4th Regiment Infantry, 32nd Division of the National Guard
Battles/wars Spanish-American War
Mexican Expedition
World War I
Awards Distinguished Service Medal, and Croix de guerre

Robert Bruce McCoy (September 5, 1867—January 21, 1926) was a General in the National Guard in the early 20th century. He is most well known for having Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, formerly Camp McCoy, named after him.[1][2]

Contents

Biography

McCoy was born September 5, 1867 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Bruce Elisha McCoy. Not long after his birth his family moved to the town of Lafayette, in Monroe County, where his father worked in the milling industry. In 1876, the mill property where his father worked was flooded and the family moved to Sparta in order to continue the milling business.

While attending high school Robert McCoy was an athlete, distinguishing himself as a leader in school activities graduating from Sparta High School in 1887. After graduating from high school he entered the University of Wisconsin, and made the varsity baseball team in his first year. In 1890 he left college to play semi-professional baseball at Ashland, Wisconsin, later returning to the University of Wisconsin as captain of the varsity baseball team.

Politics

In 1891, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and was admitted to the bar. In 1897, McCoy was elected Monroe County court judge serving for 16 years. In 1920, he was elected mayor of Sparta; he was nominated for Governor of Wisconsin, in 1920, but lost.[3]

Death and legacy

McCoy died January 5, 1926 from pernicious anemia. In November of that year the Army National Guard post was renamed to Fort McCoy in his honor.

Army Distinguished Service Medal citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Robert B. McCoy, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. In Command of the 128th Infantry throughout all the major operations in which the 32d Division participated, Colonel McCoy proved himself a leader of sound judgment and exceptional ability. During the Oise-Aisne offensive he skillfully handled the delicate maneuver of straightening and changing the front on the left bank of his brigade during the attack on Terny-Sorny and later during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. In the attack on the Kremhilde-Stellung he performed another tactical operation of high order in a flank movement which resulted in the taking of the town of Romagne.[4]

References

  1. ^ http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=1606&term_type_id=1&term_type_text=People&letter=M
  2. ^ http://www.mccoy.army.mil/AboutFortMcCoy/History/index.asp?id=History
  3. ^ http://www.mccoy.army.mil/vtriad_online/90th%20Anniversary%20Triad/col.%20mccoy.htm
  4. ^ Military times hall of valor

External links