William Bryden (February 3, 1880 – January 20, 1972) was a career officer in the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...
. A veteran of the
Philippine–American War
The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
,
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, but originally referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, U.S. Army"—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the p ...
,
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
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, he attained the rank 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 a ...
and was three-time recipient of 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 ...
. Bryden was best known for his assignment to several senior command positions, including the 15th Field Artillery Brigade (1918), 9th Field Artillery Brigade (1918–1919), 16th Infantry Brigade and
Fort George G. Meade
Fort George G. Meade is a United States Army installation located in Maryland, that includes the Defense Information School, the Defense Media Activity, the United States Army Field Band, and the headquarters of United States Cyber Command, the N ...
(1937–1938), 13th Field Artillery Brigade and
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is a military installation of the United States Army in North Carolina, and is one of the largest military installations in the world by population, with around 54,000 military personnel. The military reservation is located within Cum ...
(1938–1940),
Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army (1940–1942),
Fourth Corps Area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure (military district) of the United States Army used to accomplish administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army ...
(1942),
Fourth Service Command
The Army Service Forces was one of the three autonomous components of the United States Army during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces, created on 9 March 1942. By dividing the Army into three large comman ...
(1942–1944), and president of the
Secretary of War
The secretary of war was a member of the U.S. president's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War", had been appointed to serve the Congress of the ...
´s Separation Board (1944–1946).
A native of
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...
, Bryden was raised in Hartford and
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. As of the 2020 census, Chelsea had a population of 40,787. With a total area of just 2.46 s ...
. He graduated from the
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...
(West Point) in 1904 and began a career in the
Field Artillery Branch. His early assignments included
Fort D. A. Russell,
Wyoming
Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...
and
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Battalion, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Fiel ...
, Philippines. He was an instructor in mathematics at West Point from 1908 to 1912, and secretary of the
Field Artillery School
The United States Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander. The school further develop ...
from May 1915 to June 1916. 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 ...
, Bryden served as assistant commandant of the School of Fire for Field Artillery and director of the school's Department of Field Gunnery, and received promotion 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 of ...
and temporary
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 ...
in October 1918. In the closing days of the war, he commanded the 15th Field Artillery Brigade at
Camp Stanley
Camp Stanley is a former United States Army, U.S. Army military camp located just east of the city of Uijeongbu, South Korea. The camp is part of the Red Cloud Garrison which is composed of Army installations near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DM ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
and the 9th Field Artillery Brigade at
Camp McClellan, Alabama
Fort McClellan, originally Camp McClellan, is a decommissioned United States Army post located adjacent to the city of Anniston, Alabama
Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in Alabama and is one of two urban centers/principal cities ...
from November 1918 until the brigade was demobilized in February 1919.
Bryden's post-war assignments included instructor at the
United States Army Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC or, obsolete, USACGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military ...
and executive officer in the Office of the
Chief of Field Artillery. He commanded the 16th Infantry Brigade at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland from September 1937 to May 1938 and the 13th Field Artillery Brigade and Fort Bragg from May 1938 to June 1940. Bryden was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army from June 1940 to March 1942, and was promoted to
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 a ...
in May 1941. He commanded the
Fourth Corps Area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure (military district) of the United States Army used to accomplish administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army ...
(later redesignated the
Fourth Service Command
The Army Service Forces was one of the three autonomous components of the United States Army during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces, created on 9 March 1942. By dividing the Army into three large comman ...
) from March 1942 until February 1944, when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 64. Because of the army's expansion for
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, Bryden remained on active duty and served as president of the
Secretary of War
The secretary of war was a member of the U.S. president's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War", had been appointed to serve the Congress of the ...
´s Separation Board. He retired for the second time in January 1946.
In retirement, Bryden resided in Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on January 20, 1972, and was buried at
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 ...
.
Early life
![William Bryden (US Army major general)2](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/William_Bryden_%28US_Army_major_general%292.jpg)
Bryden was born in
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...
on February 3, 1880, a son of veterinarian George Bryden and Florence A. (Bliss) Bryden.
He was raised and educated in Hartford until his father died in 1895, after which he was raised in the
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. As of the 2020 census, Chelsea had a population of 40,787. With a total area of just 2.46 s ...
home of his maternal uncle, Eli C. W. Bliss.
Bryden's first cousin,
Raymond W. Bliss
Raymond is a male given name. It was borrowed into English from French (older French spellings were Reimund and Raimund, whereas the modern English and French spellings are identical). It originated as the Germanic ᚱᚨᚷᛁᚾᛗᚢᚾᛞ ( ...
, served as
Surgeon General of the United States Army
The Surgeon General of the United States Army is the senior-most officer of the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD). By policy, the Surgeon General (TSG) serves as Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) as well as head of the ...
from 1947 to 1951.
Bryden attended
Chelsea High School, from which he graduated in 1898.
During his high school years, Chelsea High School fielded a battalion of cadet companies that performed in military drill and ceremony contests.
Bryden was elected commander of Company C, known as "Pony Company" because its members were smaller than average or otherwise deemed unsuitable for the top tier companies.
Bryden was already decided upon a military career, and his leadership abilities were evident when he led Company C to first place in 1898's annual competition.
In 1899, Bryden competed for a congressional appointment from Representative
John F. Fitzgerald
John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald (February 11, 1863 – October 2, 1950) was an American Democratic politician from Boston, Massachusetts. He served as a U.S. Representative and Mayor of Boston. He also made unsuccessful runs for the United ...
to the
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...
(West Point).
He placed second on the examination and was named as alternate in the event the first-place finisher did not accept or was disqualified.
In early 1900, he competed for a congressional appointment from Senator
George Frisbie Hoar
George Frisbie Hoar (August 29, 1826 – September 30, 1904) was an American attorney and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1877 to 1904. He belonged to an extended family that became politically prominen ...
; he finished first on the exam, received the appointment, and began attendance at West Point in the fall of 1900.
Bryden graduated in 1904 ranked 19th of 124 and received his commission as a
second lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank.
Australia
The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...
of
Field Artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, short range, long range, and extremely long range target engagement.
Until the early 20t ...
.
Start of career
Bryden was assigned to the 13th Field Artillery Battery at
Fort D. A. Russell,
Wyoming
Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...
, where he served from September 1904 to January 1906.
He was then posted to
Fort Stotsenburg
Fort Stotsenburg, during the World War II era, was the location of the Philippine Department's 26th Cavalry Regiment, 86th Field Artillery Battalion, and 88th Field Artillery Regiment; along with the Philippine Division's 23rd and 24th Fiel ...
,
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 ...
with his battery during the
Philippine–American War
The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
, where he served from March 1906 to June 1907.
Bryden 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 s ...
in January 1907, and in May 1907 the 13th Battery was redesignated Battery E,
5th Field Artillery Regiment
The 5th Field Artillery Regiment was constituted as part of the Regular Army in January 1907. Individual battalions have lineages which date back further. Currently, it is a parent regiment under the U.S. Army Regimental System, with a single ...
.
He served with Battery E in the Philippines until April 1908, and at
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
,
Kansas
Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...
until August 1908.
While at Fort Stotsenberg, Bryden assisted
Edmund L. Gruber
Edmund Louis "Snitz" Gruber (November 11, 1879 – May 30, 1941) was an artillery officer and general in the United States Army who also gained popularity as composer of military music. He served as Commandant of the Command and General Staff Co ...
in creating the "
U.S. Field Artillery March
The "U.S. Field Artillery March" is a patriotic military march of the United States Army written in 1917 by John Philip Sousa after an earlier work by Edmund L. Gruber. The refrain is the "Limbers and caissons (military), Caissons Go Rolli ...
".
From August 1908 to August 1912, Bryden was a mathematics instructor at West Point.
He served with the 5th Artillery at
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post north of Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles (136.8 km) southwest of Oklahoma City. It covers almost .
The fort was first built during the Indian Wars. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark ...
,
Oklahoma
Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...
from November 1912 to December 1914 and
Fort Naco,
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a state in the Southwestern United States. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix. Arizona is part of the Fou ...
from December 1914 to January 1915, during the
Pancho Villa Expedition
The Pancho Villa Expedition—now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, but originally referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, U.S. Army"—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the p ...
.
In January 1915, he received promotion to
captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...
.
Bryden was a student at the Fort Sill School of Fire for Field Artillery from February to May 1915, and served as secretary of the
Field Artillery School
The United States Army Field Artillery School (USAFAS) trains Field Artillery Soldiers and Marines in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems in support of the maneuver commander. The school further develop ...
from May 1915 to June 1916.
Continued career
![William Bryden (U](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/William_Bryden_%28U.S._Army_major_general%293.jpg)
From June 1916 to June 1917, Bryden served as
aide-de-camp to
Thomas Henry Barry
Thomas Henry Barry (October 13, 1855December 30, 1919) was a major general of the United States Army who served in many conflicts throughout his military career but is perhaps best known as being superintendent of the United States Military Acade ...
, commander of the
Central Department
Central () is a department in Paraguay. The capital is Areguá. With 2,243,792 inhabitants, it is the most populated and the smallest of the 17 departments of Paraguay.
Boundaries
*North: the departments of Cordillera and Presidente Hayes
*Wes ...
with headquarters in Chicago.
He was a member of the Central Department staff from June to August 1917, and was promoted to temporary
major
Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...
and
lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
on August 5 as the army expanded for
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 ...
.
From August to October 1917, he commanded the 329th Field Artillery Regiment at
Camp Custer
Fort Custer Training Center, often known simply as Fort Custer, is a federally owned and state-operated Michigan Army National Guard training facility, but is also used by other branches of the armed forces and armed forces from Illinois, Indiana ...
,
Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
.
From October 1917 to October 1918, Bryden served as assistant commandant of the School of Fire for Field Artillery and director of the school's Department of Field Gunnery.
He was promoted 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 of ...
in June 1918 and temporary
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 ...
in October 1918.
Bryden commanded the 15th Field Artillery Brigade at
Camp Stanley
Camp Stanley is a former United States Army, U.S. Army military camp located just east of the city of Uijeongbu, South Korea. The camp is part of the Red Cloud Garrison which is composed of Army installations near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DM ...
,
Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...
from October to November 1918 and the 9th Field Artillery Brigade at
Camp McClellan, Alabama
Fort McClellan, originally Camp McClellan, is a decommissioned United States Army post located adjacent to the city of Anniston, Alabama
Anniston is the county seat of Calhoun County in Alabama and is one of two urban centers/principal cities ...
from November 1918 until the brigade was demobilized in February 1919, following the end of the war.
In February 1919, he reverted from temporary brigadier general to his permanent rank of major.
He served at Fort Sill from February to May 1919, then traveled to Treves (now
Trier
Trier ( , ; lb, Tréier ), formerly known in English as Trèves ( ;) and Triers (see also names in other languages), is a city on the banks of the Moselle in Germany. It lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of red sandstone in the ...
) in Germany, where he attended the course at the Army Center of Artillery Studies from June to July.
After returning to the United States in August, Bryden was assigned to the
War Department War Department may refer to:
* War Department (United Kingdom)
* United States Department of War (1789–1947)
See also
* War Office, a former department of the British Government
* Ministry of defence
* Ministry of War
* Ministry of Defence
* Dep ...
General Staff in Washington, D.C.
Bryden's accomplishments at the Field Artillery School during the war were recognized in 1921 with award of 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 ...
.
In September 1922, Bryden began attendance at the
United States Army Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC or, obsolete, USACGSC) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military ...
, from which he graduated in June 1923.
He remained at the staff college as an instructor from June 1923 to May 1924, when he was assigned to command 2nd Battalion,
1st Field Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill.
In July 1924, he returned to the Command and General Staff College as an instructor, where he remained until August 1927.
Bryden was a student at the
United States Army War College
The United States Army War College (USAWC) is a U.S. Army educational institution in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500-acre (2 km2) campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks. It provides graduate-level instruction to senior military offic ...
from August 1927 to June 1928, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in March 1928.
After completing the war college course, Bryden was assigned as executive officer in the Office of the
Chief of Field Artillery.
In October 1931, Bryden was assigned to temporary duty with the
Second Corps Area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure (military district) of the United States Army used to accomplish administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army ...
at
Governors Island
Governors Island is a island in New York Harbor, within the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is located approximately south of Manhattan Island, and is separated from Brooklyn to the east by the Buttermilk Channel. The National Park ...
, New York.
From December 1931 to October 1934 he served concurrently as executive officer of the
13th Field Artillery Regiment
The 13th Field Artillery Regiment is a field artillery regiment of the United States Army first formed in 1916.
History
The 13th Field Artillery was constituted 1 July 1916 in the Regular Army at Camp Stewart, Texas.
Lineage
Constituted 1 Ju ...
and 11th Field Artillery Brigade at
Schofield Barracks
Schofield Barracks is a United States Army installation and census-designated place (CDP) located in the City and County of Honolulu and in the Wahiawa District of the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii. Schofield Barracks lies adj ...
, Hawaii.
From December 1934 to August 1935, Bryden served with the
6th Field Artillery Regiment
The 6th Field Artillery Regiment is a Field Artillery Branch regiment of the United States Army first activated in 1907 from numbered companies of artillery. It was first organized with two battalions.
6th Field Artillery assigned 8 June 1917 t ...
at
Fort Hoyle
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) (sometimes erroneously called Aberdeen Proving ''Grounds'') is a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Harford County, Maryland, United States. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at ...
,
Maryland
Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
, and he was promoted to colonel in May 1935.
Later career
![William Bryden (US Army major general)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/William_Bryden_%28US_Army_major_general%29.jpg)
Bryden served in the Operations section (G-3) Mobilization Division on the War Department General Staff from August 1935 to September 1937, and he was promoted to brigadier general on September 1, 1937.
From September 1937 to May 1938 he commanded the 16th Infantry Brigade at
Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. In May 1938, he was assigned to command the 13th Field Artillery Brigade and the post at
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is a military installation of the United States Army in North Carolina, and is one of the largest military installations in the world by population, with around 54,000 military personnel. The military reservation is located within Cum ...
,
North Carolina
North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...
.
In June 1940, Bryden was assigned as
Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army, succeeding
Lorenzo D. Gasser
Lorenzo D. Gasser (May 3, 1876 – October 29, 1955) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, United States Military Government in Cuba, Pancho Villa Expedition, World War ...
.
In May 1941, he received promotion to major general.
After
Joseph T. McNarney succeeded him as deputy chief of staff in March 1942, Bryden commanded the
Fourth Corps Area
A Corps area was a geographically-based organizational structure (military district) of the United States Army used to accomplish administrative, training and tactical tasks from 1920 to 1942. Each corps area included divisions of the Regular Army ...
, later redesignated the
Fourth Service Command
The Army Service Forces was one of the three autonomous components of the United States Army during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces, created on 9 March 1942. By dividing the Army into three large comman ...
until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 in February 1944.
Bryden remained on active duty as part of the U.S. effort for
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
as president of the
Secretary of War
The secretary of war was a member of the U.S. president's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War", had been appointed to serve the Congress of the ...
's Separation Board, which made recommendations on which officers to retain in the army after the war.
He retired again in January 1946.
Bryden's
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
achievements were recognized with two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, one for his term as deputy chief of staff and one for his leadership of the Fourth Service Command and presidency of the separation board.
Death and burial
In retirement, Bryden was a resident of Washington, D.C. and
Niantic, Connecticut
Niantic is a census-designated place (CDP) and village in the town of East Lyme, Connecticut in the United States. The population was 3,114 at the 2010 census. It is located on Long Island Sound, the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant in nearby Waterfo ...
.
He was active in veterans and academic affairs, including membership in the
Newcomen Society of the United States and
Army and Navy Club
The Army and Navy Club in London is a private members club founded in 1837, also known informally as The Rag.[American Legion
The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is a non-profit organization of U.S. war
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militi ...]
Post 18, and appointment as senior vice commander of the D.C. chapter of the
Military Order of the World Wars
The Military Order of the World War was created in 1919 at the suggestion of General of the Armies John J. Pershing as a fraternity for American military officers coming out of the Great War. Two decades later, when the USA became involved in WWI ...
.
Bryden maintained a longtime interest in West Point alumni affairs, including a term as one of the alumni association's vice presidents. He died in Washington on January 20, 1972.
Bryden was buried at
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 ...
.
Awards
Bryden received three awards of 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 ...
; one to recognize his World War I service, one to recognize his performance of duty as
Deputy Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and one to recognize his leadership of the Fourth Service Command and presidency of the Secretary of War's Separation Board. His other awards included the
Philippine Campaign Medal
The Philippine Campaign Medal is a medal of the United States Armed Forces which was created to denote service of U.S. military men in the Philippine–American War between the years of 1899 and 1913. Although a single service medal, the Philippin ...
,
Mexican Border Service Medal
The Mexican Border Service Medal was a U.S. service medal established by an Act of Congress on July 9, 1918. It was awarded for service between May 9, 1916 and March 24, 1917, or with the Mexican Border Patrol between January 1, 1916 to April ...
,
World War I Victory Medal,
World War II Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal is a service medal of the United States military which was established by an Act of Congress on 6 July 1945 (Public Law 135, 79th Congress) and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945.
The Wor ...
,
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942, by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was intended to recognize those military members who had perfo ...
, and
American Defense Service Medal
The American Defense Service Medal was a military award of the United States Armed Forces, established by , by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on June 28, 1941.
The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had served ...
.
Family
In 1912, Bryden married Ellen Barry (1885–1974), the daughter of Major General
Thomas Henry Barry
Thomas Henry Barry (October 13, 1855December 30, 1919) was a major general of the United States Army who served in many conflicts throughout his military career but is perhaps best known as being superintendent of the United States Military Acade ...
.
They were the parents of two daughters.
Daughter Ellen (1914–1995) was the wife of
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a three-star military rank (NATO code OF-8) used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the ...
Alexander D. Surles (1916–1995).
Daughter Marion (1917–2004) was the wife of first Melvin W. Schoephoester (1911–1942), a pilot who died while serving as a first lieutenant in World War II, then Major General Frank Willoughby Moorman (1912–1995).
Works by
*
References
External links
William Brydenat Arlington National Cemetery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryden, William
1880 births
1972 deaths
Military personnel from Hartford, Connecticut
People from Chelsea, Massachusetts
Military personnel from Washington, D.C.
United States Military Academy alumni
United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni
United States Army War College alumni
United States Army personnel of World War I
United States Army generals of World War II
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
Burials at Arlington National Cemetery