Benjamin A. Poore
Benjamin A. Poore | |
---|---|
Legion of Honor (Officer) (France) Croix de guerre with palm (France) War Cross of Military Valor (Italy) | |
Alma mater | United States Military Academy United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College |
Spouse(s) |
Adelaide Carleton (m. 1888)Flora B. Bullock (m. 1930) |
Children | 3 |
Relations | Joseph Mauborgne (son in law) Charles L. Bolte (son in law) |
Benjamin A. Poore (June 22, 1863 – August 21, 1940) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of major general. An 1886 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, World War I, and Occupation of the Rhineland, and commanded several Infantry brigades as well as the 4th Division and Seventh Corps Area. Poore's awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal, and two awards of the Silver Star, as well as several foreign decorations.
A native of
After the war, Poore returned to his permanent rank of colonel and commanded the 1st Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to permanent brigadier general in 1921 and commanded first the 4th Infantry Brigade, then the 12th Infantry Brigade. He received promotion to major general in 1925, and commanded the Seventh Corps Area until retiring in 1927. Poore died in Fitchburg on August 21, 1940, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Early life
Benjamin Andrew Poore was born in Centre, Alabama on June 22, 1863, the son of Andrew Poore and Keziah (Brooks) Shropshire Poore.[1] Andrew Poore was a veteran of the War of 1812 and was nearly 70 years old when Benjamin Poore was born.[2] Keziah Poore was Andrew Poore's second wife, and she died in 1864.[2] After her death, Andrew Poore returned to his native Massachusetts with Benjamin Poore and his siblings.[3] Following Andrew Poore's 1872 death, Benjamin Poore was raised by his half-brother Charles C. Poore, one of Andrew Poore's children with his first wife, who was over 30 years older.[3] Benjamin Poore was educated in the public schools of Fitchburg and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1879.[3]
After graduating from high school, Poore worked for two years as an apprentice machinist.
Early career
After receiving his commission, Poore was assigned to the
From 1893 to 1895, Poore served on the West Point faculty as professor of modern languages.
Continued career
From May 1899 to June 1902, Poore served with his regiment in the Philippines during the
From September 1909 to June 1912, Poore served at
Later career
With the army expanding as the result of U.S. entry into
Beginning in April 1918, Poore commanded the 7th Infantry Brigade, a subordinate command of the
After the war, Poore returned to his permanent rank of colonel and commanded the 1st Infantry Regiment at Fort Sam Houston.[2] On December 21, 1921, he was promoted to permanent brigadier general and assigned to command the 4th Infantry Brigade, a 2nd Division unit based at Fort Sam Houston.[2] From 1924 to 1925, Poore commanded the 12th Infantry Brigade, a subordinate command of the 6th Division based at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming.[2] In October 1925, Poore was promoted to major general and assigned to command Seventh Corps Area at Fort Omaha, Nebraska. He left the army in June 1927, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64.[2]
Awards
Poore's awards and decorations included:
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Army Distinguished Service Medal
- Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
- Legion of Honor(Officer) (France)
- Croix de guerre with palm (France)
- War Cross of Military Valor (Italy)
Distinguished Service Cross citation
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Benjamin A. Poore, Brigadier General, U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action at Bois-de-Septsarges, France, September 27, and at Bois-du-Fays, France, October 11, 1918. At Bois-de-Septsarges on September 27, General Poore personally reformed his disorganized troops, who were falling back through lack of command and because of severe casualties. Under heavy fire, he led them to the lines, and presented an unbroken front to the enemy. Again on October 11, in the region of Bois-du-Fays, he gathered together troops who were taking refuge from hostile fire, and turned them over to the support commander.
Rank: Brigadier General, U.S. Army Unit: 7th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, A.E.F. Date of Action: September 27 & October 11, 1918 General Orders: No. 44, War Department, April 2, 1919[2]
Distinguished Service Medal citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Benjamin Andrew Poore, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Poore Commanded with distinction and ability the 7th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, in the numerous engagements of the Argonne-Meuse campaign. By his energy and ability his brigade drove the enemy from Ruisseu-des-Forges and from Bois-du-Fays. In these engagements important capture of many prisoners and much material were made by the troops of his command.
Rank: Brigadier General, U.S. Army Unit: 7th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division, A.E.F. General Orders: No. 59, War Department, 1919[2]
Later life and death
In retirement, Poore was a resident of Fitchburg.[2] He maintained an interest in military matters, and was frequently invited to participate in events including reviews and inspections of Citizens' Military Training Camps at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in addition to reunions and other activities at West Point.[8][9] In 1932, he made national headlines when he resigned from the American Legion because of disagreement with its advocacy for immediate payment of a bonus to World War I veterans that was due in 1945.[10] Poore died in Fitchburg on August 21, 1940.[2] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[2]
Personal life
In 1888, Poore married Adelaide Carleton of Salem, Massachusetts.[5] She died in 1929, and in 1930 he married Flora B. Bullock, the widow of Brigham N. Bullock.[2] With his first wife, Poore was the father of three daughters— Katherine, Priscilla, and Adelaide.[5] Katherine Poore was the wife of Major General Joseph Mauborgne.[5] Priscilla Poore was the wife of Brigadier General Donald A. Robinson.[5] Adelaide Poore was the wife of General Charles L. Bolte.[5]
References
- ISBN 978-1-5719-7088-6 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l R. B. (1941). "Obituary, Benjamin Andrew Poore". Seventy-Second Annual Report of the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy (.pdf Download). Newburgh, NY: Moore Printing Company. pp. 152–154 – via West Point Digital Library.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cullum, George W. (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy. Vol. VI–A. Saginaw, MI: Seemann & Peters. pp. 423, 427 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f g Prager, Ben., Adjutant (1941). "Lest We Forget: Maj. Gen. Benjamin A. Poore". Army and Navy Legion of Valor of the U.S.: General Orders, 1940–1941. Pittsburgh, PA: Army and Navy Legion of Valor. pp. 24–25 – via Google Books.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h Cullum, George W. (1901). Holden, Edward S. (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U. S. Military Academy. Vol. IV. Cambridge, MA: Riverside Press. p. 424 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f Cullum, George W. (1910). Braden, Charles (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U. S. Military Academy. Vol. V. Saginaw, MI: Seemann & Peters. pp. 387–388 – via Google Books.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
External links
- Benjamin A. Poore at Arlington National Cemetery