Joseph A. Redding

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Joseph A. Redding
Redding as commander of 39th Infantry Division, circa 1952
BornJune 7, 1894
Yazoo City, Mississippi
DiedFebruary 24, 1984(1984-02-24) (aged 89)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Place of burial
Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1912 - 1956
Rank Major General
UnitLouisiana Army National Guard
Commands held204th Coastal Artillery Regiment
199th Infantry Regiment
39th Infantry Division
Battles/warsPancho Villa Expedition
World War I
World War II
AwardsPurple Heart
Other workOwner, Redding Tire
Owner, tax consulting office

Joseph A. Redding (June 7, 1894—February 24, 1984) was a

Major General who served as commander of the Army National Guard's 39th Infantry Division
.

Early life

Joseph Alsop Redding was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on June 7, 1894, and his family relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1910.[1] Redding attended Louisiana State University from 1910 to 1912, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.[2]

Start of military career

Redding joined Company L, 1st Louisiana Infantry Regiment in 1912, and advanced through the ranks to Sergeant before obtaining his commission as a second lieutenant in 1916. Redding served on the Mexican border with the 1st Louisiana Infantry during the Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916.[3]

Business career

Redding became owner and operator of Redding Tire Service, a wholesale and retail automobile and truck tire business in Shreveport.[4]

World War I

Promoted to

Camp Beauregard and in France, including assignments as Adjutant of the regiment's 1st Battalion, Commander of the regiment's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and regimental Adjutant.[5]

During the war Germans attacked Redding's unit with gas, and he received wounds that resulted in award of the Purple Heart. Redding was a captain when he was discharged at the end of the war.[6]

Post World War I

Redding maintained his commission as a member of the organized reserve, and in 1922 returned to the Louisiana National Guard as a captain and Commander of Company H, 156th Infantry Regiment.[7]

World War II

At the start of

San Diego, California.[8]

He later served in

Ninth Air Force. He was Commander of the Bad Neustadt area during the post-war occupation of Germany.[9]

Post World War II

In 1946 Redding was appointed Commander of the Louisiana National Guard's 199th Infantry Regiment.[10]

He later served as Assistant Division Commander of the 39th Infantry Division, receiving promotion to

brigadier general.[11]

In 1951 Redding was appointed Commander of the 39th Infantry Division and promoted to

Major General.[12] He served until his retirement in 1956.[13]

In 1952 he sold his tire business and moved to Baton Rouge, where he operated a tax consulting office.[14]

Death and burial

Redding died in Baton Rouge on February 24, 1984.[15] His wife Mary Byrd Redding and he are buried at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport.[16]

References

  1. ^ Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  2. ^ Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Record, Volume 73, Issue 3, 1953, page 95
  3. ^ American Historical Society, A History of Louisiana, Volume 2, 1925, page 201
  4. ^ Marquis Who's Who, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1954, page 600
  5. ^ Evans J. Casso, Louisiana Legacy: A History of the State National Guard, 1999, page 127
  6. ^ Shannon Roberts, The Daily Reville, Ceremony for Military Service Celebrates Alumni Veterans, November 12, 2012, page 3
  7. ^ National Guard Bureau, National Guard Register, 1923, page 135
  8. ^ Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Record, Volume 65, Issue 4, 1945, page 176
  9. ^ Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  10. ^ Louisiana Department of Military Affairs, Annual Report, 1946, page 30
  11. ^ Ruston Daily Leader, Ruston Guards Parade With 199th Regiment at Summer Training Camp, August 10, 1950
  12. ^ National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman magazine, Volume 5, 1951, page 29
  13. ^ Louisiana. Department of Military Affairs, Annual Report, 1956, page 26
  14. ^ Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  15. ^ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs, BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, entry for Joseph A. Redding
  16. ^ Baton Rouge Advocate, Death notice Mary Byrd Redding, August 7, 1987