Richard M. Blatchford

Richard M. Blatchford
Born August 17, 1859
Fort Hamilton, New York
Died August 31, 1934 (aged 75)
San Francisco, California
Buried at San Francisco National Cemetery
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1883 - 1922
Rank Major General
Unit American Expeditionary Force
Battles/wars

Spanish American War
World War I

Richard Milford Blatchford (August 17, 1859 – August 31, 1934) was a U.S. Army General, who served in the Spanish American War and World War I.

Early life and career

Richard Milford Blatchford was born on August 17, 1859 at Fort Hamilton, New York, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October 1883. [1] He served with the 11th Infantry Regiment on the American frontier in Dakota Territory, Kansas, and Arizona. Following two tours of duty in Puerto Rico he served both in the field and in garrison in the Philippines from 1901-1904.[2]

When the United States entered World War I, General Blatchford was the commander of the School of Arms (today's Infantry School) at Fort Sill, Okla. He then sailed for France in July 1917 to observe trench warfare and Allied training methods. He returned to France where he was commanding general of the Line of Communications, A.E.F. Following his return to the United States, he served in Panama, Ohio, California, and Washington.[2]

Blatchford retired from active service on December 1, 1922. He died on August 31, 1934 in San Francisco, California. USS General R. M. Blatchford (AP-153), a World War II General G. O. Squier class ship, was named in his honor.[2]

References

  1. Historical Register & Dictionary of the US Army
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Hubert, Yves. "General R. M. Blatchford". Dictionary of American Fighting Ships. http://www.hazegray.org. Retrieved 17 October 2011.

External links