Henry R. Adair

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Henry Rodney Adair
Carrizal, Chihuahua, Mexico
Buried
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
Years of service1904–1916[1]
RankFirst Lieutenant
Commands held10th Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsMexican Revolution

Henry Rodney Adair (1882–1916) was an American cavalry officer. He is most notable for his participation in the Battle of Carrizal of the Pancho Villa Expedition.

Biography

Adair was born in

Fort William McKinley from May 1908 until May 1909.[3] He served with the 10th Cavalry Regiment from the outset of his career with periodic duties in other areas of the U.S., including Fort Ethan Allen in Colchester, Vermont, from 1909 to 1913, then the Regiment was transferred to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He served there and along the Mexican Border until 1914 in response to the Mexican Revolution, then back to Fort Riley from 1914 to 1915, and returned to Arizona in 1915 until 1916.[4]

He was a famous horseman and polo player, traveling to Canada, Egypt and Gibraltar in this capacity while serving in the cavalry. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant on June 26, 1911.[4]

In the late spring of 1916, he served with C Troop, 10th Cavalry Regiment, with Captain Charles T. Boyd in General Pershing's "Punitive Expedition to Mexico" in search of Pancho Villa and his troops who had recently raided across the Border into New Mexico. He served from March 16 until his death on June 21, 1916, on this campaign.[4]

The last task of the expedition was to scout around

Carrancistas. This was about 60 miles east of Colonia Dubla where the main U.S. Army camp was set.[4]

However, it was at

Carrizal, Chihuahua that the American troops came face to face with a much larger force of Carranza's Mexican troops, and a confrontation began. He was killed during the ensuing Battle of Carrizal in a hail of gunfire from the Carrancistas. Adair would later be buried in River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.[4]

Legacy

Camp Adair in Oregon is named after Henry R. Adair as he was a native of Astoria.[2]

References

  1. ^ Henry Rodney Adair: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3.com
  2. ^
    Lewis L. McArthur, Oregon Geographic Names
    . Seventh Edition. Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press, 2003; pg. 140.
  3. ^ Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VI-A: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 1132. Retrieved July 30, 2022 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c d e U.S. Army Service Tribute | TWS Roll of Honor