Walter Lawrence Reed (4 December 1877 – 1 May 1956) was a
major general
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
in the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...
who served as
Inspector General of the Army from 1 December 1935 to 23 December 1939. His father was Army Medical Corps officer
Major Walter Reed
Walter Reed (September 13, 1851 – November 22, 1902) was a U.S. Army physician who in 1901 led the team that confirmed the theory of Cuban doctor Carlos Finlay that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito species rather than ...
, namesake of the
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC)known as Walter Reed General Hospital (WRGH) until 1951was the United States Army, U.S. Army's flagship medical center from 1909 to 2011. Located on in the Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, it se ...
.
["Walter L. Reed," in Whithorne, Joseph W. A.]
''The Inspectors General of the United States Army''
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Army Center of Military History He was born in
Fort Apache, Arizona
Fort Apache ( apw, Tłʼog Hagai) is an unincorporated community in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Fort Apache is on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, east of Canyon Day. Fort Apache has a post office with ZIP code 85926.
Demograp ...
and moved to
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
where he spent most of his early life. Reed fought in the
Spanish–American War
, partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence
, image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg
, image_size = 300px
, caption = (cloc ...
and traveled across the country and to the
Panama Canal Zone. He then began working as an
inspector during
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and became the inspector of
Base Section Number 5 in February 1919 then worked in the
American Expeditionary Forces
The American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. The A. E. F. was established on July 5, 1917, in France under the command of General John J. Pershing. It fought along ...
office. For his work he earned the
Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation.
Examples include:
*Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action
* Distinguishe ...
. Reed attended various military schools before returning to the Inspector General's department. In 1935 he became the inspector general of the United States Army. He retired in 1940, but was recalled to active duty during World War II, filling a role in the War Department until 1946. Reed died in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1956.
Early life
Reed was born in
Fort Apache, Arizona
Fort Apache ( apw, Tłʼog Hagai) is an unincorporated community in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. Fort Apache is on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, east of Canyon Day. Fort Apache has a post office with ZIP code 85926.
Demograp ...
, on 4 December 1877,
to parents
Walter Reed
Walter Reed (September 13, 1851 – November 22, 1902) was a U.S. Army physician who in 1901 led the team that confirmed the theory of Cuban doctor Carlos Finlay that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito species rather than ...
, an Army Medical Corps officer, and Emilie Lawrence. He had two sisters, Emilie and Susie. He traveled with his family, being educated in the
District of Columbia Public Schools
The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the local public school system for the District of Columbia, in the United States.
It is distinct from the District of Columbia Public Charter Schools (DCPCS), which governs public charter ...
and at the
Randolph Macon Academy. Reed then worked in
Washington, D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...
for several years as the bookkeeper of a fuel dealer.
Early military service
Reed applied for a
direct commission
A direct commission officer (DCO) is a United States uniformed officer who has received an appointed commission without the typical prerequisites for achieving a commission, such as attending a four-year service academy, a four-year or two-year ...
in early 1898, but upon the outbreak of the
Spanish–American War
, partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence
, image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg
, image_size = 300px
, caption = (cloc ...
on 17 June 1898, he enlisted in C Battery, 2nd Artillery, at
Washington Barracks
Fort Lesley J. McNair is a United States Army post located on the tip of Greenleaf Point, the peninsula that lies at the confluence of the Potomac River and the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C. To the peninsula's west is the Washington Cha ...
. He served at
Fort Warren in Massachusetts, rising to the rank of a
quartermaster sergeant
Quartermaster sergeant (QMS) is a class of rank or appointment in some armed forces, especially those of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and formerly also in the United States.
Ireland
Quartermaster sergeant () appointments in the Irish ...
. After three months, the battery was deployed to serve in the occupation of Cuba. In May 1899, Reed was transferred to N Battery as a
first sergeant. He applied for a
commission in 1900. With the support of his battery and regiment commanders,
George M. Sternberg,
Joseph Wheeler
Joseph "Fighting Joe" Wheeler (September 10, 1836 – January 25, 1906) was an American military commander and politician. He was a cavalry general in the Confederate States Army in the 1860s during the American Civil War, and then a general in ...
, and
Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood (October 9, 1860 – August 7, 1927) was a United States Army major general, physician, and public official. He served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba, and Governor-General of the Philipp ...
, he was commissioned a
second lieutenant in the
10th Infantry Regiment on 25 July. While there, Reed met
Eli A. Helmick, with whom he developed a close friendship.
He married Lucy Landon Carter Blackford in 1901. They had two children, Landon Carter and Mary Berkeley.
In February 1901, the regiment left Cuba, and at
Fort Robinson
Fort Robinson is a former U.S. Army fort and now a major feature of Fort Robinson State Park, a public recreation and historic preservation area located west of Crawford on U.S. Route 20 in the Pine Ridge region of northwest Nebraska.
The fo ...
in Nebraska he was made
quartermaster
Quartermaster is a military term, the meaning of which depends on the country and service. In land armies, a quartermaster is generally a relatively senior soldier who supervises stores or barracks and distributes supplies and provisions. In ...
and
commissary
A commissary is a government official charged with oversight or an ecclesiastical official who exercises in special circumstances the jurisdiction of a bishop.
In many countries, the term is used as an administrative or police title. It often c ...
of the 2nd Battalion. In March, the unit was deployed to the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
, participated in the
Lake Lanao operations, and was garrisoned at
Cotabato City
Cotabato City, officially the City of Cotabato ( Maguindanaon: ''Kuta nu Kutawatu'', Jawi:
كوتا نو كوتاواتو; Iranun: ''Bandar a Kotawato'', بندر ا كوتاواتو; fil, Lungsod ng Cotabato), is a third class independent c ...
. At Cotabato City, Reed served as provost and town treasurer. He was then reassigned to Company G on ll December 1902 and returned to the
Presidio of San Francisco in February 1903. Reed was promoted to
first lieutenant
First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment.
The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...
in January 1904 and took command of Company M in April. In June he took command of Company A at
Fort Lawton
Fort Lawton was a United States Army post located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington overlooking Puget Sound. In 1973 a large majority of the property, 534 acres of Fort Lawton, was given to the city of Seattle and dedicated as ...
in Washington.
Reed next commanded a training company and escorted groups to their new units at
Columbus Barracks
Fort Hayes is a military post in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Created by an act of the United States Congress on July 11, 1862, the site was also known as the Columbus Arsenal until 1922, when the site was renamed after former Ohio Governor ...
, Ohio, from February 1906 until rejoining his regiment in August 1908 at
Fort Benjamin Harrison
Fort Benjamin Harrison was a U.S. Army post located in suburban Lawrence Township, Marion County, Indiana, northeast of Indianapolis, between 1906 and 1991. It is named for the 23rd United States president, Benjamin Harrison.
History
In 1901, ...
in Indiana. Before being made a
post exchange
An exchange is a type of retail store found on United States military installations worldwide. Originally akin to trading posts, they now resemble contemporary department stores or strip malls. Exact terminology varies by armed service; some examp ...
officer in December, he was a
regimental
A regiment is a military unit. Its role and size varies markedly, depending on the country, service and/or a specialisation.
In Medieval Europe, the term "regiment" denoted any large body of front-line soldiers, recruited or conscripted ...
and post
adjutant. As post exchange officer, he oversaw a retail store, a farm, and a dairy. Reed was assigned to Company C in June 1910. Until the unit was transferred to
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.
"Fort Sam Houston, TX • About Fort Sam Houston" (overview),
US Army, 2007, webpageSH-Army.
Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the U.S. Senator from Texas, U.S. Represen ...
in Texas, in March 1911, he periodically served as post or unit adjutant as well as continuing to overseeing the post exchange. From March to June the unit was part of the
Maneuver Division and in September it was stationed at
Camp E. S. Otis in the
Panama Canal Zone. While there, Reed served as the company executive, managing its funds and mess. Inspectors of the camp credited him with "excellent business sense." After being promoted to
captain in April 1914, Reed assumed command of the company in July. In October, he returned to the United States.
Later military service
In late 1914, Reed was assigned as an inspector-instructor to the
New Jersey National Guard
The New Jersey Army National Guard consists of more than 6,000 Citizen-Soldiers. The New Jersey Army National Guard is currently engaged in multiple worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germ ...
in
Newark
Newark most commonly refers to:
* Newark, New Jersey, city in the United States
* Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey; a major air hub in the New York metropolitan area
Newark may also refer to:
Places Canada
* Niagara-on-the ...
. Reed was successful in the role and elected major of the 4th New Jersey Infantry in 1916 (though he could not accept because it was a state commission, the governor issued the rank as an honor). Upon beginning the build-up in 1916 for the United States' entry into
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, Reed was placed on several inspector teams, observing mobilized National Guard units in Florida and Georgia. By the end of the year Reed was a
mustering officer
Muster may refer to:
Military terminology
* Muster (military), a process or event for the accounting for members in a military unit
* Muster list, list of the functions for team members
* A mustering, in military terminology, is a specialised for ...
, originally demobilizing New Jersey units, but by early 1917 he began recalling units. In July he was made a temporary
major and remained with the Guard until October when he was assigned to the
Inspector General's Department in Washington, DC.
In May 1918, he was promoted to temporary
lieutenant colonel and assigned as the inspector of the
7th Division at
Camp MacArthur
Camp MacArthur (or Camp McArthur) was an American military training base in Waco, Texas during World War I. It was named for General Arthur MacArthur, Jr.
Arthur MacArthur Jr. (June 2, 1845 – September 5, 1912) was a lieutenant general of ...
in Texas. The unit deployed to France in September, and in October Reed became assistant inspector of the
Second Army. In February 1919, at the request of
Major General
Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of ...
Eli Hemlick, commander of
Base Section Number 5 in
Brest, France
Brest (; ) is a port city in the Finistère department, Brittany. Located in a sheltered bay not far from the western tip of the peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French m ...
, he was transferred to the section.
Hemlick praised Reed, saying he "did more than any other staff officer to bring order out of the chaos that existed in the camp during the early days."
He was appointed to temporary
colonel
Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge o ...
in May and moved to the
American Expeditionary Forces
The American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. The A. E. F. was established on July 5, 1917, in France under the command of General John J. Pershing. It fought along ...
Inspector General office after the base section closed. He eventually became the inspector of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. For his work, he received the
Army Distinguished Service Medal. In 1920, he returned to the United States and became a permanent lieutenant colonel in July.
Over the next seven years, Reed attended the
School of the Line in 1921, the General Staff School in 1922, the
Army War College in 1923, and the
Naval War College
The Naval War College (NWC or NAVWARCOL) is the staff college and "Home of Thought" for the United States Navy at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island. The NWC educates and develops leaders, supports defining the future Navy and associ ...
in 1924. He was then an instructor at the Naval War College until June 1928 when he was assigned as the executive officer of the
29th Infantry Division at
Fort Benning, Georgia. In May 1930, Reed was made a full colonel. He received command of the
12th Infantry Regiment at
Fort Howard in Maryland in January 1933.
Reed was in command until being detailed to the Inspector General's Department as executive officer in October 1934. His investigations included
Benjamin Foulois
Benjamin Delahauf Foulois (December 9, 1879 – April 25, 1967) was a United States Army general who learned to fly the first military planes purchased from the Wright brothers. He became the first military aviator as an airship pilot, and achi ...
and the
Army Air Force
The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...
and accusations of bribery against
Alexander E. Williams. Reed was appointed
Inspector General on 1 December 1935, replacing
John F. Preston. As inspector general, Reed requested an additional
brigadier general
Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...
for the department due to its rapidly increasing caseload in 1937. The same year he was involved in identifying areas for manpower reductions in the army. Reed also investigated various U.S. property and disbursing officers for embezzlement. He toured until 23 December 1939 and retired 30 April 1940. In April 1942 Reed was recalled to active duty as a member of the War Department Personnel Board.
In 1945, Reed received an oak leave cluster in lieu of a second Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility."
He retired on 25 June 1946, and lived in Washington, DC until his death on 1 May 1956.
Reed is buried in
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reed, Walter Lawrence
1877 births
1956 deaths
United States Army War College alumni
United States Army generals
United States Army personnel of World War I
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery
United States Army generals of World War II
Military personnel from Arizona
Military personnel from Washington, D.C.
American military personnel of the Spanish–American War