Robert Powell Page Wainwright | |
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Robert Powell Page Wainwright |
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Born | May 18, 1852 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Died | November 19, 1902 Manila |
(aged 50)
Place of Burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1875–02 |
Rank | Major |
Unit | 1st U.S. Cavalry 5th U.S. Cavalry |
Battles/wars | Philippine-American War |
Relations | Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright I - grandfather Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II - father Edward W. Serrell - father-in-law Jonathan Wainwright, Jr. - brother Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV - son |
Robert Powell Page Wainwright (May 18, 1852 - November 19, 1902) was a U.S. Army officer and West Point graduate, class of 1875, who served in the cavalry for most of his military career. He began his career as a second lieutenant in the US 1st Cavalry in 1875. Captain Wainwright contributed the chapter, "The First Regiment of Cavalry", to The Army of the United States: Historical Sketches of Staff and Line with Portraits of Generals-in-Chief published in 1896.[1] During the next two decades he served throughout the frontier at several posts leading his troops through skirmishes and scouting patrols. Later he commanded a cavalry squadron at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He died in 1902 while on active duty stationed in the Philippines.
He was married to Josephine Serrell and had three children, Helen Serrell Wainwright, Jennie Pound Serrell Wainwright and Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV.
Robert Wainwright was part of a family with strong military tradition. His wife's father was General Edward W. Serrell. Wainwright's son, Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright IV, was the commander of American and Filipino forces during the Battle of the Philippines (1941-42). Ft. Wainwright, Alaska is named in his honor. Robert Wainwright's father was Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright II, a United States Navy officer who was killed during the American Civil War. Jonathan Wainwright, Jr., Major Wainwright's brother, was a U.S. Navy officer who was killed in battle in 1870 while fighting pirates off the west coast of Mexico.
Major Wainwright is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.