Major General Willard Ames Holbrook (July 23, 1860 – July 18, 1932) was a United States Army officer who served for almost forty years. Coming from a family with long military tradition, he was the father of future Brigadier General

Willard Ames Holbrook Jr. Willard Ames Holbrook Jr. (May 31, 1898 – July 1, 1986) was a brigadier general in the United States Army. He served as the commander of Combat Command A of the 11th Armored Division during World War II and as Master of the Sword at United St ...

and brother of Major General

Lucius Roy Holbrook Lucius Roy Holbrook (April 30, 1875 – October 19, 1952) was a major general who commanded the United States Army's Philippine Department from 1936 to 1938. Early life and family history Holbrook was born in Arkansaw, Wisconsin. He was a son o ...

Early life

Holbrook was born on July 23, 1860, in

Arkansaw, Wisconsin Arkansaw is an unincorporated census-designated place in the eastern portion of the town of Waterville, in Pepin County, Wisconsin, United States. Located approximately west of Durand, it has the ZIP code of 54721. As of the 2010 census, its ...

. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1885. Among his classmates were future

general officer A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED O ...

s such as Robert Lee Bullard, Joseph E. Kuhn,

Beaumont B. Buck Major General Beaumont Bonaparte Buck (January 16, 1860 – February 10, 1950) was a United States Army officer who served in the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, and World War I. He is best known for his service with the ...

Charles Henry Muir Major General Charles Henry Muir (July 18, 1860 – December 8, 1933) was a United States Army officer. During the final year of World War I, he commanded the 28th Division throughout most of its service on the Western Front. Previously, he ser ...

William Franklin Martin William Franklin Martin (July 19, 1863 – April 15, 1942) was a United States Army soldier who became a brigadier general. Early life and education William Franklin Martin was born on July 19, 1863, to Robert F. Martin and Mary E. (Lilley) Ma ...

George Washington Burr George Washington Burr Jr. (1865–1923) was an American general during World War I. Early life George Washington Burr Jr. was born in Tolono, Illinois to George and Nancy Burr on December 3, 1865. Career G. W. Burr attended the United States ...

Daniel Bradford Devore Daniel Bradford Devore (May 14, 1860 – March 10, 1956) was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In World War I he became a brigadier general and commanded a regiment of the US army. Military career Devore wa ...

. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Regiment (later he was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment).

Military career

Holbrook was stationed in Cuba during the Spanish–American War. From 1901 to 1902, following the war, he served as Civil Governor of

Antique An antique ( la, antiquus; 'old', 'ancient') is an item perceived as having value because of its aesthetic or historical significance, and often defined as at least 100 years old (or some other limit), although the term is often used loosely ...

, Philippines. After America entered World War I in April 1917, Holbrook was promoted to brigadier general in command of the 165th Infantry Brigade. In April 1918, he was further promoted to major general and placed in command of the 9th Infantry Division. Holbrook's final assignment was as Chief of the U.S. Cavalry. He retired from the Army on July 23, 1924.

Marriage and children

In 1902, Holbrook married Anna Huntington Stanley (1864 – 1907), daughter of Major General

David S. Stanley David Sloane Stanley (June 1, 1828 – March 13, 1902) was a Union Army general during the American Civil War. Stanley took part in the Second Battle of Corinth and the Battle of Stones River as a division commander. He was later made a corps co ...

. *

– served as brigadier general * David Stanley Holbrook – served as a first lieutenant and died from a gunshot wound in the Philippines in 1926.

Death

Holbrook died at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on July 18, 1932. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife, Anna, and son, David.

Awards

His military awards include the

Army Distinguished Service Medal The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. Th ...

, which he received as commanding general of the Southern Department for his firmness and tact in handling a threatening situation on the Mexican border that materially improved conditions between the United States and Mexico.

References

External links

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Holbrook, Willard Ames 1860 births 1932 deaths United States Army Cavalry Branch personnel United States Army generals Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) American military personnel of the Spanish–American War United States Military Academy alumni Military personnel from Wisconsin People from Waterville, Wisconsin United States Army generals of World War I Burials at Arlington National Cemetery